Job description

We are looking for a farmer to operate a two-acre vegetable and flower market garden operation. The applicant must be able to create and implement a business plan that allows the farm to be economically self-sustaining. In addition to the market garden, the farm includes mushrooms and ramps in the woods, chickens for eggs, and pigs raised in the woods for meat. We currently sell at our local farmers market and to restaurants.

This is an excellent opportunity for a farmer who has the skills to operate his/her own farm but doesn’t have the necessary resources. We are offering a property that is entirely deer fenced, including soil suitable for farming, a ½ acre pond, irrigation from a designated well, a four-year-old apple orchard, a ½ acre of new raspberry and blueberry bushes, and a tractor, tiller and other farm equipment. We have a new equipment barn, a heated 26 by 48 foot greenhouse, a walk-in cooler, and a chicken house with fenced yard. The person hired will have significant input into the direction of the farm as well as decisions regarding plant selection, design, irrigation, and other infrastructure improvements.

Stonewood Farm is located just outside the Village of Millbrook in New York’s pastoral Hudson Valley. The area is known as the bread basket serving New York City due to its diversity of farms, vineyards, and other culinary offerings. It is also known for its natural beauty and quiet, rural sophistication. Being less than a 90 minute drive to a wide range of destinations - everything from New York City to the Catskill, Berkshire and Adirondack mountain ranges – the lifestyle here is both civilized and bucolic.

The farm will eventually be part of a larger agri-tourism business on the property that will include a guest component, farm dinners, and a hands-on education component. Because of the nature of the future business, the farm should be inviting, well maintained and aesthetically pleasing, as well as productive.

The applicant must have at least three years growing experience (including working in a managerial capacity) with some demonstrable business acumen to run a successful start-up farm. Experience should include some or all of the following:

• organic vegetable, flower, berry and orchard (apple) production;
• record keeping and budget planning; crop planning and rotation;
• compost, soil and organic pest management;
• animal husbandry;
• greenhouses and drip irrigation systems;
• maintaining a website and blog/newsletter;
• familiarity with selling to wholesale restaurant accounts and at weekly farmer’s markets;
• farm education curriculum development and/or teaching experience;
• experience managing interns and/or volunteers;
• and use and maintenance of all types of farm equipment and tools.

The applicant must be hardworking, an organized manager of his/her time, and be able to efficiently balance the multiple demands of farm life. S/he must be articulate, well spoken and a people-person who can build and foster relationships with customers, chefs and the local community. S/he must be a self-starter, resourceful, creative, detail-oriented, neat, and respectful of the surroundings and living space. No pets (we have a farm dog) and tobacco/drug-free.

Compensation and benefits are negotiable with an incentive plan and opportunity for growth. A one bedroom, on-site apartment, including utilities, can be part of the package. We will be flexible for the right person. Couples are welcome.

Compensation

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Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline