Company description

Job description

Arcadia is seeking an experienced and dedicated Farm Manager (or Farm Couple) to join our full-time year round staff to lead our farm with vision and discipline to its next stage of development as a national center of excellence for veteran farmer training and a cornerstone of the local community.

The Farm Manager will have the opportunity to hire an assistant farm manager; a farm couple will fill both roles.

Arcadia’s Farm is the hub of a small, thriving and interconnected ecosystem where military veterans learn the skills needed to transition seamlessly into sustainable farming, applying their dedication and discipline to nourish both the land and their fellow citizens. Arcadia Farm is a place of education, innovation, and community building, and a campus to learn to grow food and farm businesses, and for children to engage with agriculture and healthy food.

Arcadia prioritizes the health of the land, employing organic and sustainable practices that conserve resources, build biodiversity, and mitigate climate change.

The Farm Manager will train and mentor a small farm crew of military veterans; manage and lead our 2-acre farm and newly established one-acre fruit orchard; and provide management support for our on-farm farm incubator, while engaging with the community in select events.

The Veteran Farm Incubator is a group of up to 10 independent microfarms within Arcadia Farm, supported by Arcadia’s infrastructure. The apprentices are military veterans who spend one season on paid apprenticeships on our farm while they participate in the Arcadia Veteran Farmer Program. Many of our apprentices
will go on to launch their own small homestead operations or incubator farms, or move to a for-profit farm to gain additional experience.

Arcadia Farm is primarily a training farm; the wholesome food produced as a result of the training program supports Arcadia’s food access and farm education programs.

The Farm Manager will have a level of authority commensurate with their responsibility; there will be a regular feedback loop with Arcadia’s executive team to ensure mission alignment and
achievement but the Farm Manager will not be micromanaged.

The role offers competitive pay, unlimited paid time off (PTO), subsidized health insurance (Kaiser Permanente) and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on agriculture, veterans,
and the regional food system. On-farm housing is a possibility. Salary commensurate with experience, beginning in the low $50ks; if on-farm housing is included, the salary may be adjusted to reflect the value.

Responsibilities:
● Steward a 20-acre farm space that encompasses a vegetable farm, small orchard, incubator farm, community farm, and some wooded area
● Lead and mentor apprentice farmers as part of the farm crew, providing guidance, training, and support in sustainable farming practices to include but not limited to cover cropping, crop rotation, drip irrigation, compost application, and natural pest reduction techniques
● Plan, execute, and oversee all aspects of vegetable and fruit production, including planting, cultivating, irrigating, and harvesting
● Care for and maintain farm infrastructure, including a tractor and implements, well, greenhouse, wash station, and a 5000 sq. ft. hoop house
● Ensure the proper functioning of equipment and tools, and coordinate any necessary repairs or maintenance
● Oversee Veteran Farm Incubator, to include assigning spaces, holding farmers accountable for their operations and practices as they impact Arcadia Farm. The Farm Manager will also coordinate with a farm incubator support contractor
● Oversee and collaborate with the Community Farm Manager to ensure proper management and care of shared farm resources.
● Work collaboratively with Veteran Compost
● Oversee site maintenance, including weed control, path maintenance, and overall farm aesthetics, supported by contract services
● Host volunteer groups for on-farm projects
● Work collaboratively with the Arcadia team to integrate farm produce into programs and initiatives
● Keep accurate records of farm activities, production yields, etc.
● Assist with budgeting, procurement, and resource management
● Contribute to community outreach and educational programs as needed

Qualifications:
● Demonstrate experience in sustainable vegetable and fruit production, with a solid understanding of cover cropping, crop rotation, drip irrigation, composting, and natural pest management
● Prior experience in farm management and mentorship is highly desirable
● Prior experience with a fruit orchard is desirable
● Proficiency in operating and properly maintaining farm equipment, including tractors and implements
● Ability to effectively lead a farm crew, provide guidance, and foster a positive and collaborative work environment
● Commitment to maintaining an organized farm space, to include overseeing a mowing contractor
● Strong organizational and record-keeping skills
● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with diverse groups of people
● Flexibility and adaptability to changing farm conditions and priorities
● Passion for sustainable agriculture, food systems, and community engagement
● Valid driver's license - Note: Arcadia is not located near reliable public transportation, so we only recommend that applicants with access to a vehicle apply

Benefits:
● Negotiable salary based on experience
● Subsidized health insurance
● Unlimited paid time off (PTO)
● Opportunity to contribute to a dynamic nonprofit organization focused on sustainable food and agriculture
● Engagement with a vibrant community of farmers, educators, and volunteers

Compensation

this position is: salaried, 50k-75k

Application instructions

Deadline

February 29, 2024