Job description

Position Overview
Around the world, a new generation of farmers and practitioners of regenerative agriculture are redefining our relationship with the land and are producing healthy, nutrient-dense food. In this spirit, Bio-Logical Capital seeks to train and develop the next generation of sustainable farmers who will impact local food production, regenerate damaged soil, and improve the overall health of the land and the people it feeds.

Bio-Logical Capital is a land investment, development, and conservation company that has been engaged by the land owners to help master plan and develop a team to manage and operate a 200-acre diversified farm in Charlotte. Farm operations include small-scale heritage breed sheep and pastured pigs, a market garden, seasonal grass-fed cattle, and hayfields. All of these operations have room to grow, and we intend to add small grain production and perennial fruit and nut bearing orchards. The goals of the farm are to build living soil, produce nutrient-dense food, implement innovative practices, and create a beautiful, diverse, productive landscape that will become a standard for a regional brand of “beyond-organic” products.

Success on the farm is dependent on building a strong local team. We are searching for a Farm Manager who can demonstrate a strong work ethic, is a proactive communicator, and has an enthusiastic focus on contributing to the achievement of the farm’s long-term goals. The Farm Manager will have experience in operating and managing a successful farm business.

The Farm Manager will be responsible for operating, developing and leading the day-to-day operations of a small farm in Charlotte, VT. The Farm Manager will work closely with the passionate landowners to support and execute their vision for the farm. The manager will lead, manage and develop a small local team of farmers. The Farm Manager will also be responsible for developing and writing a 5-year business plan for growing the farm’s business model. As part of the Bio-Logical Capital team, the manager will also participate in the farm business strategy discussions and planning.

Primary Responsibilities

• Operate and continue the development of a small farm in Charlotte that produces a diverse set of crops from gardens, orchards and fields.
• Develop and write a 5-year business plan for the farm operations.
• Build and develop the pasture and soil fertility strategies with the application of good management techniques, local organic materials, and inputs that are generated from the surrounding expansive acreage of the farm.
• Manage a qualified team of practitioners that will work to increase the carrying capacity of the land, enhance the beauty of the site, and strengthen the core message of the brand.
• Plan, plant, manage, and maintain tree and vegetable crop acreage to provide diverse food crops.
• Expand rotational grazing management of sheep, pigs, and poultry with the current team.
• Plan and phase the appropriate expansion of the farm to include processing of tree and vegetable crops, and other related activities that will add to the health, beauty, and productivity of the farm.
• Create a sales plan, establish local market relationships, and manage sales to local off-takers.
• Set and manage farming project goals, planting and work schedules, critical timelines, reporting mechanisms and resource allocations.
• Manage relationships with the landowner, owner’s representative and other local and statewide partners in the agricultural community.
• Coordinate and support other agriculture and operator vendors on the property.
• Develop marketing strategy for all activities run by the farm, including special events, farm-to-table dinners, farm lunches, and farm tours.
• Serve as the spokesperson for marketing, media, and communication purposes at the farm.
• Prepare reports, including financial summaries, for updating the executive management team.
• Build working relationships with the University of Vermont Farm Extension Program, relevant academic and science based research organizations, government agencies, NGOs, and other relevant industry contacts.
• Manage other tasks as necessary to support business operations.

Candidate Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of agro-ecological farming and farm management experience.
• Preferred experience in running a successful farm business.
• Demonstrated success in previous management and leadership positions with excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate management operations with community and sustainability considerations and outcomes.
• Open to learning and implementing new farming techniques.
• Open to working on weekends.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer, data entry and reporting skills.
• Proven record of success in a highly collaborative and dynamic work environment.
• Minimum 2 references.

Compensation

this position is: salaried

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline