Farm Development Center Manager Job in Michigan

Farm Job: The Food System Economic Partnership  (FSEP) is hiring a Program Manager for the Tilian Farm Development Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Position Title: Tilian Farm Development Center Program Manager (grant funded); Reports To: Executive Director; FLSA Status: Part Time (2/3 to 3/4) / Exempt Summary: The goal of the Tilian Farm Development Center Manager is to oversee all aspects of the Tilian Farm Development Center’s programming and operations under FSEP’s USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Grant (BFRG) deliverables. Under supervision from the Executive Director, the Tilian Farm Development Center’s Program Manager assumes responsibility for day-to-day operational management of activities and functions associated FSEP’s BFRG and coordination of efforts with other FSEP staff and programs. General duties include oversee equipment and infrastructure use to ensure compliance with all operating norms; coordinate equipment and infrastructure sharing between program participants; collect use fees from program participants for use of equipment and farm infrastructure, as needed; maintain a regular physical presence at the farm. Essential Functions: Program Development and Implementation: Coordinate with FSEP’s Farm to Table Program Manager for institutional market access for farmers. Coordinate with FSEP’s Business Development Specialist on creation of business planning counseling for farmers and development and implementation of mentorship program. Lead and facilitate a selection committee to recruit, review, and select new Incubator Farms and a new 1st year Residency Farmer for 2014. Oversee equipment and farm infrastructure sharing between all Tilian participants, ensuring compliance with the Township (land) Lease, the incubator farm leases and use agreements, and other operating agreements, as necessary.

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Farm Management: Provide technical support to resident and incubator farmers on production related topics such as soils and fertility management, pest and disease management, harvest and post harvest and equipment use. Weekly farm walks with all program participants to look at different farm operations in order to facilitate peer to peer learning while providing technical assistance. Create a budget and crop plan in coordination with the residency farmers, for the 8- acre residency farm, a certified organic year round produce farm and ensure its successful execution. Supervise resident farmers. Ensure the economic and programmatic success of the Residency Farm by further developing and expanding its business model.

Administrative: Participate in regular meetings with FSEP Executive Director and staff. Provides monthly updates to Executive Director on status of work plan. Perform complex administrative duties, as needed. Coordinate with Executive Director and other FSEP staff or contractors, as appropriate. Work with Executive Director to draft lease and equipment and infrastructure use agreements for incubator farmers.

Qualifications: Minimum of 5 years of farm management experience; Extensive knowledge of organic or ecological vegetable production; Extensive knowledge and experience in use of farm equipment ; Demonstrated success at program development and implementation; Demonstrated ability to work well with people from a variety of backgrounds; Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Excellent computer skills; Additional Desired Skills; Hoophouse and season extension production experience; Livestock production experience

Too Apply Please Send Resume and Cover Letter to: apply@fsepmichigan.org

Desired Start Date Late Dec 2012 or early January 2013. More information available at: www.fsepmichigan.org & www.tiliancenter.org