Job description

ORGANIC CSA FARM MANAGER - Wellspring, a certified organic non-profit farm, education and retreat center in Newburg, WI (only 25 miles from Milwaukee/5 miles from West Bend) seeks a Farm Manager for the 2013 season and beyond.

This 36-acre, certified organic farm, started in 1988, is located in a beautiful rural setting, including gardens (about 1 acre), woods, ponds, river and more! Serving 130 equivalent CSA shares, Wellspring grows organic vegetables and fruits on approximately five cultivated acres.

The Farm Manager ensures that all daily farm-related tasks are completed, including (but not limited to);

• seed orders
• planning and implementation of planting
• weeding
• harvesting/post harvesting
• irrigating
• soil fertility and amendments
• greenhouse/hoophouse production
• and related work to successfully fulfill CSA shareholder expectations (equivalent of 100-130 shares each week for 22 weeks & 50 Thanksgiving or Winter shares, two weekly farmer’s markets, and some restaurant sales). 

Implementation of winter growing and a possible Spring share are on the list of things to explore.

Applicants for the position should have 2-3 years of experience farming organically, teaching/training experience, strong communication and managerial skills, and be passionate about growing quality food while supporting the organization’s mission.

Wellspring, also home to a B&B, retreat center, and International Hostelling house, lives its mission as an education and retreat center that inspires and teaches people to grow, prepare and eat healthy food. In so doing, we transform food systems and build community.

The Farm Manager is part of a staff team that delivers programs to fulfill the Wellspring mission.

This position oversees all aspects of farm operations including coordination of additional education for and training of 2-3 interns and recruitment, training, and management of volunteers(Worker and Community Shareholders and WWOOFers).

A permaculture partnership also exists with a neighboring nonprofit, while additional educational programs are being developed by Wellspring staff that will “intersect” with the farm/CSA program.

The Farm Manager reports directly to the Executive Director. Staff support to the Farm Manager includes community education, marketing, registration, bookkeeping, bill payment, etc., by other Wellspring staff. The Building & Grounds Supervisor also supports maintenance and projects needed for the farm.

It is imperative that the Farm Manager want to be a part of a nonprofit organization and a staff team. The candidate that will thrive in this position is one who loves farming and will farm as if it was their own, while recognizing that it is a nonprofit organization.

Compensation is commensurate with experience and ranges between $18,000 and $22,000. Included is on-farm shared housing, utilities, and a share in the weekly harvest for meals.

Past CSA and/or permaculture experiences are a plus, as is some knowledge of biodynamic practices.

Minimum Qualifications   

• Commitment to Wellspring’s mission and desire to work in a nonprofit setting
• Minimum 2 years/season experience in sustainable agriculture (CSA experience believed to be critical)
• Ability to oversee and facilitate groups of adults and youth
• Basic understanding of soil fertility as it relates to organic farming, or willingness to learn
• Basic understanding of pest prevention strategies as related to organic farming, or willingness to learn
• Administrative skills including good written and verbal literacy, recordkeeping, and reporting
• Welcoming, flexible and adaptable
• Ability to effectively communicate agricultural concepts and other food-related issues to the public
• Excellent customer sales and service skills
• Ability to represent the farm and Wellspring to the public in a professional manner
• Commitment to collaboration
• First aid training (a plus)
• Creativity, ingenuity, passion, & imagination
• Previous animal husbandry experience a plus (presently have chickens)
• Knowledge and awareness of Biodynamic Preparations and pest prevention strategies a plus

This is an exempt, full-time managerial position.

Learn more about Wellspring at www.wellspringinc.org

Compensation

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Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline