Loon Organics Farm Manager Position – MN

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LOON ORGANICS FARM MANAGER POSITION in MINNESOTA – 2019

ABOUT THE FARM & FARMERS:

Loon Organics Farm is a 40-acre certified organic farm located 70 minutes west of Minneapolis, MN, co-owned and operated by Laura Frerichs and Adam Cullip along with their children Eli (7) and Willie (3).  Laura and Adam have been successfully farming for the past 15 years, with beginnings at the Gardens of Eagan Incubator Farm in 2005, purchasing farm land in 2008, and establishing a passionate and devoted 200-member CSA over the past ten years.

Loon Organics actively cultivates 10-acres of produce for their CSA, the Mill City Farmers Market in Minneapolis, select farm-to-table restaurants, food co-ops, and to The Food Group’s “Harvest for the Hungry” Program. The operation includes 10,000 sq. feet of hoop houses for season extension, two greenhouses for bedding plant production, as well as a host of small tractors and implements.

In addition to producing the highest quality vegetables around, Laura and Adam have become sought after experts along the way. Laura is a well-known presenter at organic farming conferences, consults, and serves on committees and boards of several agriculture advocacy organizations throughout the Midwest. Adam is a machinery geek who uses his passion for industrial design education to lead system designs on the farm that improve operations, including two electric-converted tractors and other self-designed small-scale vegetable machinery and equipment. He dreams of scaling this serious tinkering to benefit organic vegetable technology through partnerships in the US and abroad.

Kindness, respect, humor, and education are core values of Loon’s farm culture and workplace.

Loon is looking for an energetic, motivated, and hard-working manager to round out the 2019 farm team. **We are also looking for a full-time farm apprentice for 2019. Details on our website: www.loonorganics.com/employment ** Ideally the manager can stay on for a minimum of two-years, with management responsibilities depending on previous experience.  At least two years of previous experience on a vegetable farm is desired.   Position is full-time from April through October. Compensation is $12+/hr, depending on experience, plus ample farm veggies.  To apply, please send a relevant resume and 3 professional references to Laura & Adam at loonorganics@hotmail.com. Serious candidates must be able to visit the farm for a working interview.

LOON ORGANICS FARM MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Organization and co-management of farm systems: greenhouse, transplanting, weeding, drip irrigation, harvesting, and recordkeeping associated with the above tasks.
• Managing farm crew in harvesting and production tasks, emphasizing quality and efficiency.
• Limited tractor work and basic mechanical fixes.
• Involvement with CSA and farmers market activities: selling, marketing, display-making, farm tours.
• Hoop house management and season-extension: venting and closing houses, irrigation schedule, harvest, pest and disease monitoring.

LOON ORGANICS FARM MANAGER QUALIFICATIONS:

Loon Organics is looking for managers-in-training that are self-motivated, organized, good communicators, and have an eye for efficiency and detail to help grow some of the highest quality, organic vegetables around! At least two years of previous production farm experience is preferred, and this position is best suited for those seriously interested in farming as a profession. Loon is a production farm and we have high standards of efficiency and pace, and expect you to be able to step up, move quickly, think ahead, and keep up. This will be a great place for people that want to work hard, learn the business of farming, and have fun in the process.

Employees must have a vehicle, a positive attitude, be physically fit and able to regularly lift 40+ lbs, be interested in working in community with other farm employees, and enjoy working outside in all types of weather and sometimes uncomfortable physical situations.

LOON ORGANICS FARM MANAGER EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT:

Evening educational gatherings with our farm and a neighboring organic veggie farm are available for manager and employees, if interested. Discussion topics are determined in part by each employee’s interests as identified on their “Growing Season Learning Plan”. Topics often covered include financials and budgeting, recordkeeping, organic certification, cover cropping, soil and fertility management, among others. There are ample educational opportunities to visit other local, organic livestock and produce farms.

LOON ORGANICS FARM MANAGER PAY:

Starting Pay is $12+/hr, dependent on experience.  Housing stipend available. On-farm housing is not provided, but we can help facilitate a housing search. We offer structured learning plans, farm talks with a neighboring organic vegetable farm, and training and support for the right candidate to take on increasing responsibilities in their management role. Meals are on your own or with other farm staff.  There is an employee summer kitchen and break room on the farm.

LOON ORGANICS FARM MANAGER TIMELINE & HOURS:

Full-time work available April through October. Some opportunities for part-time work in the winter months for returning employees. The typical workweek is 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday, with an hour break for lunch. A couple Saturdays a month, you would help at Loon’s market stand in Minneapolis. Hours can vary depending on weather, but usually range from 40-48 hours/week. Interest and priority given to candidates that can return to Loon for a second or third season.

TO APPLY for the LOON ORGANICS FARM MANAGER POSITION:

Send current resume and three work-related references to loonorganics (at) hotmail.com.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis but we hope to secure a candidate before 2019.  Serious candidates must be able to visit the farm to have an in-person working interview.

 

Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/internship-and-employment-opportunities/   

Find additional farming resources at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/additional-farming-resources/