Company description

Three Sisters Garden Project (TSGP) is an organization that seeks to help build an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable community, inclusive of all its citizens. Our mission is to foster an agricultural program that integrates sustainable land stewardship, education and food-based community engagement. 

In collaboration with local farms, public schools, colleges and food pantries, TSGP aims to increase the amount of sustainably produced local food, support the development of systems to get local food to consumers, and facilitate education to increase community engagement in local agriculture.

Job description

We are currently seeking an entrepreneurial, community-oriented and adaptive Farm Manager (FM) who can continue to implement a successful farm plan for the TSGP that is in line with the compelling mission of the organization. Our first farm season was in 2015, when we broke ground on new land, cultivating 2-3 acres for 90 summer CSA shares and 55 fall shares, with restaurant sales & food pantry donations making up another third of production. The farm currently grows for 150 summer and 80 fall CSA members, and produces another $30K in wholesale and $20K in donated shares and bulk produce donations. We have short term aspirations to significantly increase the donated portion of the grow-out.

The FM will be semi-autonomous, reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with a board of directors. The FM will hire and supervise all seasonal staff and volunteers. The TSGP operates under a long term lease from the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, an international educational religious institution and its Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center on the site of a former dairy farm.     

Responsibilities include:

• Developing seasonal soil preparation, planting, management and harvesting plans for an up to 10-acre diverse vegetable operation. Organic/sustainable management practices are required.

• Greenhouse work, seeding, transplanting, harvesting, irrigation management, weed and pest control, inventory and ordering, soil enhancement, cover cropping, hand and tractor cultivation, equipment maintenance, washing and packing, and all aspects of running a small farm.

• Managing the implementation of the plans referenced above with a seasonal assistant grower and apprentices, as well as accommodating seasonal interns and volunteers.

• Overseeing and collaborating with a future Program Coordinator who will be responsible for community distribution, offsite operations and management of interns.

• Development and management of the annual budget and operating within that budget. 

• Marketing and administration of CSA shares, wholesale accounts, donated CSA shares and bulk produce donations.

• Operating and maintaining tools, equipment, and facilities in a safe and proper manner.

• With the support of a Board of Advisors, oversee all aspects of maintaining and expanding a relatively new farm including infrastructure development, equipment procurement and field establishment/improvement.

• Participate in occasional staff meetings to establish plans, goals, priorities, conduct evaluations and coordinate with the Board of Advisors. 

 

Experience Needed:

• A minimum of 5 years farming experience, ideally with significant experience in a manager or assistant manager position, leading and training staff, farm crew, and volunteers; 

• Farm business planning experience/training;

• Familiarity with equipment use and maintenance, fertility management/soil enhancement, organic practices;    

• Experience in greenhouse production of vegetable starts for transplant and sale, crop planning and CSA production;

• Farm record keeping and use of spreadsheet applications;

• Knowledge, use and maintenance of tractors, plows, discs, cultivators, and other farm equipment, machinery and implements;

• A strong understanding of CSA and organic agricultural principles, whole-farm planning, crop rotation, soil enhancement methods, soil science, and general ecological principles;

• A good attitude, willingness to be flexible and a commitment to achieving the goals of the TSGP;

• Knowledge and awareness of current issues, regulations and trends directly relating to farm operations;

• Ability to work well alone and with groups, including the Board, town officials, non-profit partners, other farmers, interns and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.

Requirements:

• Current driver’s license and ability to pass a CORI background check;

• Ability to lift 50lbs. regularly;

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; 

• Ability to and enthusiasm for educating apprentices, interns and volunteers;

• Strong interpersonal, management and leadership skills.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $45,000.00 - $50,000.00

Application instructions

Deadline

December 15, 2018