Farm Manager Job in Raleigh, North Carolina

Posted on December 7, 2011 by in Employment // 0 Comments

Farm Manager Job, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Raleigh, North Carolina STATUS: Full Time START DATE: January 2012 REPORTING TO: Nutrition, Farms, Gardens Director WOMEN AND MINORITIES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. Accepting applications until position is filled.

About the Food Shuttle and IFFS Farm: The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (IFFS) pioneers innovative, transformative solutions designed to end hunger in our community. IFFS Nutrition, Farms and Garden Programs help build community health, wealth, and security by bringing our community together to EAT, GROW, COOK, SHARE, AND MOVE.

Located in Raleigh, NC, IFFS Teaching Farm offers hands-on sustainable farming education at all levels. Educational farm programming includes volunteer opportunities, farm tours, workshops for farmers and homesteaders, and a Young Farmer Training Program for teenagers. IFFS Teaching Farm grows thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables each year for IFFS distribution to over 200 agencies across the triangle region. IFFS farm programs aren't just about growing food, they're about growing farmers and growing our community. General Function: Under the supervision of the NFG Director and in keeping with the mission of the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, the Farm Manager will be responsible for planning, designing, and managing healthy, thriving field crop and livestock operations on IFFS Raleigh Farm. It is crucial that the Farm Manager is able to work well with the entire farm and gardens staff, contribute to a positive farm atmosphere, and embrace a culture of creativity and open feedback to improve efficiencies on the farm. Management includes planning and scheduling all field production tasks including seeding, transplanting, harvesting, weeding, processing, pruning, and all tractor/tiller work. Farm Manager will create inventory and 'to-do' list for all buildings, equipment and tools in regards to construction, renovation, maintenance and repair. Coordination includes regular communication with IFFS farm staff, especially around creating the weekly farm plans.

Qualifications & Skills:
·       Two years of relevant experience in sustainable and organic farming in the Piedmont region, including at least one year experience managing profitable vegetable and livestock operations
·       Excellent communication skills and ability to work with a team of partners, managing staff and/or volunteers
·       Demonstration of initiative and innovation, especially in supporting more efficient farm production and farm program communications
·       Detail-oriented organizational skills required
·       Budget and farm sales/market experience required
·       Farm management experience with year-round diversified production of vegetables, cut flowers, herbs, specialty crops, cover crops, free-range poultry, aquaponics, and vermiculture systems
·       Spreadsheet data management experience for field amendments, crop plans including planting and harvest dates, crop rotations, harvest yields, market sales, farm budgeting and farm profits
·       Soil management experience with organic/sustainable methods including field and hoophouse soil management and amendments, and compost operations
·       Passive solar greenhouse construction and management (and other season extension techniques) experience required
·       Formal and hands-on coursework in sustainable agriculture required, including university, college, certificate, apprenticeship programs as well as workshops and short courses
·       Farm teaching, research and program evaluation experience preferred, especially with diverse audiences, beginning farmers and youth
·       Experience with variety of farm tools and equipment including hand-tools, tillers and tractors
·       Basic Microsoft Office skills (especially excel) and web navigation skills required
·       Spanish language skills preferred

Duties and Responsibilities
FARM PLANNING AND DESIGN (25%):
·       Work with Director and farm team to create strategic goals and projections
·       Create IFFS year-round field crop, passive solar greenhouse, permaculture plot and livestock operation plans
·       Complete weekly and monthly estimates of production
·       Advise during harvest shortages/failures and propose sustainable solutions
·       Co-design schematic drawings for all IFFS farm operations
·       Establish high standards of food safety and food handling at all points of production and distribution and communicate with IFFS farm team

FARM RECORD KEEPING (25%):
·       Create and maintain record-keeping mechanisms for field amendments, crop plans including planting and harvest dates, crop rotations, harvest yields, market sales, livestock management (including poultry and aquaponics), farm budgeting, irrigation, pest management, and weed control
·       Create and maintain inventory of all farm equipment, vehicles and tools
·       Set up record-keeping mechanisms for all farm maintenance and repairs including farm structures
·       Record, complete and communicate all necessary documentation
·       Set up records, budgets, and mechanisms to teach marketing and produce sales

FARM MANAGEMENT (25%):
·       Manage and maintain production on IFFS farm to educate about farming while producing thousands of pounds for IFFS distribution
·       Ensure harvested crops meet established standards for quality and quantity
·       Soil management including field and hoophouse crop management and amendments, biochar, compost and vermicompost operations
·       Coordinate passive solar greenhouse construction

FARM COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH (25%):
·       Communicate schedule of monthly/weekly farm tasks to IFFS farm team (staff, apprentices, interns and volunteers) including seeding/transplanting/harvesting dates, livestock chores, soil amendments, and other farm duties
·       Coordinate with IFFS farm staff to co-design protocol, farmer training curricula & workshops around the design, build, maintenance of all field crop and livestock operations
·       Coordinate with IFFS farm staff to co-design protocol, farmer training curricula & workshops around the design, build, maintenance of all field crop and livestock operations
·       Communicate regularly with the director and IFFS staff about progress, difficulties, and needs
·       Communicate safe, efficient methods of all aspects of farm production and protocol with IFFS staff, apprentices, interns and especially volunteers
·       Coordinate with IFFS Food Recovery & Distribution department to arrange post-harvest handling and methods of efficient and safe distribution of farm produce
·       Attend and participate in all departmental, staff and development meetings, reporting progress and collaborating across departments for more effective programming
·       Represent and promote IFFS and IFFS farm programs at local events, workshops, meetings, conferences, etc.

Essential Function:
Position requires manual dexterity, corrected vision, speech, and hearing to normal range or special accommodations made of sufficient nature for completion of assigned tasks. Will require lifting weight up to 50 pounds, and physical interactivity with children.

Hours will include some evenings and weekend work, based on seasons, weather and program schedules. Valid NC Driver’s license and required. Position will be based from the IFFS Raleigh farm in Wake County; however, applicant must have reliable transportation, as position will require travel to any of IFFS’ seven service counties.

Performance will be measured primarily by:
·       Production of crops within established quality and quantity specifications
·       Cleanliness and organization of farm facilities
·       Maintaining and effectively communicating all record keeping mechanisms and all aspects of farm management
·       Effective co-coordination with IFFS staff for on-farm volunteer work days, workshops, training programs, and farm tours
·       Effective coordination of produce sales and marketing

Compensation:
$25-35K commensurate with experience
Health insurance

Send cover letter, resume, and sample crop plans or farm budgets (5 attachments max) via email (*please NO calls) to:
Katherine Andrew
Director Nutrition, Farms & Gardens
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
Katherine@foodshuttle.org