Company description

A Meaningful Purpose, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2020 to address the needs of food insecurity, soil regeneration, and community inclusiveness in Atlantic County, NJ.  This mission is carried out at the historic Reed's Farm, continuing a legacy of local food production in the region.  The farm operates year-round utilizing organic and regenerative practices, hosts a sanctuary for farm animals, and provides educational and vocational programming to local schools and organizations with a focus on individuals with cognitive disabilities.  We aim to provide a community hub that inspires all who gather here to engage with nature and celebrate its healing capabilities.

Job description

General Description of the Position:

The Agroforestry Manager is responsible for implementing, managing, and further developing already designed agroforestry projects at large scales from the ground up. Projects include alley cropping, food forestry, silvopasture, berry cropping systems, nut tree systems, forest farming, and ornamental tree planting infrastructure. We are seeking someone who is enthused about temperate and subtropical edible woody perennials as well as useful herbaceous perennials, and has ability to implement and manage multiple agroforestry systems with differing needs simultaneously. This position will need excellent organization and communication skills while demonstrating a strong aesthetic approach to tree cropping for a public facing farm environment. The agroforestry manager will perform public duties by giving tours, holding tastings, facilitating public harvesting at key times, volunteer parties, and working with kitchen staff and farm trainees in a dynamic non-profit organization. This position will report to the Farm Director and will also be supported by an agroforestry assistant. This is a full-time, year-round position with a mix of field and office work.

Required Qualifications:  

• 2+ years of relevant experience with at least two of the following agroforestry systems: alley cropping, silvopasture, forest farming, forest gardening, windbreaks, riparian buffers
• Highly motivated individual passionate about perennial food systems and tree crops
• At least one season of hands-on experience working on regenerative or organic farms
• Ability to work independently and with diverse groups of people
• Focused attention to detail and quality, with strong organizational skills and a positive attitude
• Must be capable of meeting the physical demands of the job, including: occasional lifting of heavy objects; working outside in all seasons; strenuous physical labor
• Valid driver’s license required to fulfill job duties

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in agroecology, sustainable agriculture, biology, environmental science, or a related field
  5+ years of relevant experience with agroforestry systems
• Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC)
• Experience operating walk-behind and/or 25+hp tractors
• Ability to drive a manual transmission
• Experience with row mulcher implements
• Experience working with livestock and electric fencing
• Experience in vegetable production systems and crop planning
• Hands-on experience with plant propagation, grafting, and pruning
• Experience with agroforestry systems design
• Experience working with Google Drive, Docs, Sheets (or Excel), etc.

Key Responsibilities:  

• Lead the development and implementation of the farm’s already designed agroforestry systems, including alleycropping, berry rows, fruit/nut orchards, public forest gardens, and forest farming
• Timely sourcing of plant material and other supplies
• Direct and lead annual mulch and compost application to all agroforestry systems
• Direct and lead annual pruning of fruit trees, nut trees, berries, and other perennial crops
• Assist Animal Manager with implementation and management of silvopasture system
• Works closely with Programs and Kitchen/Market staff and reports to Farm Director

Compensation and Benefits:

• $55-70k depending on experience
• Paid vacation and sick time; full healthcare benefits after three months
• Free produce from the farm and discounts on products in the farm market

Compensation

this position is: salaried, 50k-75k

Application instructions

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Deadline

December 31, 2024