Company description

**Hiring Immediately for 2025 Planning**

Caney Fork Farms is a working production farm located in Middle Tennessee one-hour east of Nashville. We are certified organic and use regenerative practices to grow mixed vegetables, agroforestry products, and raise grass fed and pasture-raised livestock for meat. We market our products from Nashville to Cookeville, primarily selling direct-to-consumer through weekly or monthly vegetable and meat shares. As a farm, our focus is on building soil and carbon sequestration while also working to strengthen the Middle Tennessee food web. Our farm is a living laboratory where we conduct research to better understand how carbon is stored in our soils while also studying other aspects of our regenerative farming system. Our mission is to inspire others with living proof that regenerative, organic farming in Tennessee benefits farmers, the community, and the environment.

We are fun and we work hard. Each day we live into our values of Doing the hard stuff that matters, honoring relationships, being good to each other, and being curious and innovative. Currently the farm is in a business and production growth phase where we are working to scale our vegetable and crops enterprise to meet the growing demand for regenerative and organic foods in middle Tennessee. We have a vision and the team is aligned. We operate using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and currently have good traction to achieve our 3-year picture.

Benefits:

Housing (3 bedroom 2 bathroom)

Health, Dental, Vision, Life

2 weeks PTO and 1 Week Sick and Personal (pro rated 1st year)

40% employee discount

Job description

INTRODUCTION  

The Head of Vegetables & Crops (HVC) oversees the team responsible for vegetable production and flower production (new enterprise). The HVC works with the Farm Director on the grain and pulse production at our satellite farm and with the Agroforestry Manager, as the V&C departmental labor is shared with these other enterprises.  The HVC is a very diversified role with a lot of responsibility. The person in the seat must maintain a high level of general abilities and knowledge while knowing where to focus on critical details that allow each enterprise to advance. Vegetables are the annual primary revenue generator, followed by chestnuts and grains. As of 2024, this department is expected to grow rapidly over the next 3 years and will eventually be the highest-grossing department on the farm. The ideal candidate for this role will be a good leader and delegator, have strong agriculture knowledge, including soil health, fertility, equipment operation, finances, and budgets, and computer skills and a willingness to embrace the various technologies utilized on the farm. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 

V&C Team fully understands and is aligned with the vision
Vegetable gross revenue
Vegetable COGS and Direct Overhead, including hourly labor
Flower gross revenue 
Flower COGS and Direct Overhead, including hourly labor
Annual Vegetable and Flower Crop Plan
All record keeping is up-to-date and accessible when needed - including yield data
Ensure OSP is up-to-date and all materials are current
Ensure the crew has the knowledge to operate equipment and tools
All departmental equipment and infrastructure is maintained and functioning
The wash pack area and seed closet are clean and organized 
The Potting Shed and Greenhouse are clean and organized
All food safety standards are adhered to, and paperwork is current
Ensure the flow of communication between the department and sales is smooth and consistent
Ensure all vegetable and flower packing supplies are inventoried and stocked

DAILY OVERSIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Attend weekly Leadership team meeting
Lead departmental weekly meetings and quarterly meetings
Ensure all cascading messages from the leadership meeting are communicated to the team
Support team with on-the-ground work in all areas of the department (not a desk job)
Hold team accountable for their areas of influence
Help the team prioritize tasks based on weekly, monthly, and quarterly To-Do’s/Goals
Ensure the team is working effectively in all areas of production - (field prep, planting, weeding, harvesting, irrigating, trellising, pest & disease control, etc).
Understand soil tests as they relate to crop yields and soil health outcomes.
Understand irrigation systems and how to repair and improve them when necessary.
Understand when and where it is most effective to engage with fieldwork and do so
Seek opportunities and leads for wholesale vegetable and flower sales
Ensure weekly CSA, market, and wholesale communication is flowing to Sales
Make strategic harvest plans that maximize the vase life of each crop and make the most efficient use of the labor at hand

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION 

Attention to detail and a strong work ethic. The HVC must be able to work on tasks in a group setting and alone. The HVC must understand our vision and be able to lead according to the vision. The HVC must have a solid general knowledge of vegetables, flowers, field crops, soil health, equipment, and preventative maintenance within the department. Computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, learning, and picking up new software when needed, are necessary. The HVC must be willing to give feedback when necessary and do so in an effective and appropriate way. The HVC must be present and supportive of the team weekly and be willing to identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes. The HVC must be able to manage a budget and be disciplined to check the budget regularly. 

    

DIRECT REPORT DETAILS     

4 Direct Reports

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS 

Must be able to work outside in most conditions, including hot, cold, and rainy weather conditions. Team members are responsible for avoiding unsafe weather conditions like lightning and extreme temperatures. Vegetable farming is acutely labor-intensive. Repetitive motion, bending, crouching, squatting, and the ability to lift 50 lbs are all aspects of the position. Team members are responsible for maintaining proper form and tool usage to avoid injury. 

Both emotional intelligence and patience are required when working with other staff members. Work to bring in your best self each day and work to encourage a positive work environment. 

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

All weather conditions. Tractor work, walk-behind tractor work, office work, and driving are all environments in which the HVC must be comfortable. Listening to your body and knowing your limits is key. Team members are always allowed water and rest breaks throughout their day. Some days will be longer than others during high labor times of the year. 

Compensation

this position is: salaried, 50k-75k

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline