Company description

Shalom Farms is a nonprofit, food justice organization. We believe that everyone deserves equitable access to nourishing food and meaningful opportunities to grow, choose, cook and enjoy that food. On our two Certified Naturally Grown farms we work with thousands of volunteers each year to produce more than 150,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, which we distribute throughout the Richmond, VA, metro region through a variety of programs and partnerships. 

Job description

The Production Specialist will participate in all aspects of running a sustainable, regenerative vegetable farm and will take a leadership role in many areas of the farm, such as coordinating harvests, pest and disease management, fertigation, irrigation, and tractor work. They will supervise staff, interns, and volunteers on a regular basis. The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable about sustainable agriculture techniques and be able to confidently and clearly share this information with staff, volunteers, and visitors of all ages. This person is responsible for co-creating and upholding a culture that prioritizes safety, inclusion, education, warmth and humility in a dynamic workplace. This person will be expected to work collaboratively across teams and departments. This position will be tailored throughout the year to best accomplish the production goals of the Northside farmsite for the 2025 season.  

Farm Production and Management (60%) 

Day to day farm responsibilities, including those related to production and packing. Help oversee harvests, pest and disease control, irrigation, and tractor work.

Volunteer Supervision and Support (20%) 

Overseeing and working w/crews of volunteers on discrete projects, as planned and directed by the Volunteer & Education Coordinator.

Staff and Intern Management (5%)

Supervise farm interns and step in for Northside Farm Director when needed.

Planning and Data Entry (10%) 

Daily, weekly and monthly planning and data entry, as well as meetings. 

Other (5%) 

Cross-departmental opportunities, and other duties as assigned 

Farm Production and Management (60%) 

● Implement the 2025 Northside crop plan to achieve harvest and distribution goals with the assistance of the Northside Production Director, the Production & Packing Coordinator, and the Northside Volunteer & Education team.

●  Implement a plan for pest and disease control (scheduled spraying of field and high tunnel crops). 

●  Assist Production Director in maintaining irrigation systems. Oversee the irrigation program for field and hoop house crops.

Along with the Production Director and the Volunteer & Education Coordinator, oversee on-time harvest.
Work with the Production & Packing Coordinator to ensure that there is optimal post-harvest handling.
Implement the organic fertility plan, including fertigation, cover cropping, composting, organic fertilizers, etc.
Help with the general organization and maintenance of all farm equipment and outbuildings.   
Take a lead role in performing tractor work, which will include using various tractor implements.

Volunteer Supervision and Support (20%) 

●  Support the Volunteer & Education team in order to ensure that all volunteers and visitors feel well equipped to carry out their assigned tasks.

Guide, train and assist a crew of staff, lead volunteers, and interns to complete field work as assigned. 
●  Directly manage volunteer groups as needed. Typical tasks include sowing, planting, harvesting, amending soil, washing/packing produce, and field preparation and maintenance. 

●  Work with your department team to build and improve managerial skills.

Provide general information to visitors on how to further engage with the organization.
Uphold Shalom’s community values and participate in a culture that prioritizes safety, inclusion, education, warmth, and humility.

Staff and Intern Management (5%)

Serve as the direct supervisor of all Northside interns and hold regular check-in. 
Serve as point of contact when Northside Production Director is off site.
Supervise Production and Packing Coordinator when Northside Production Director is off site.
Take a lead role in morning and afternoon farm check ins with Northside Production Director is unavailable. 
Planning and Data Entry (10%) 

●  Under the guidance of the Production Director and in collaboration with the Northside Volunteer & Education team, create weekly and daily work plans for the Production team based on the week’s schedule of staff, interns, and volunteers. ●  With consultation from the Northside Production Director, perform entry of data pertaining to propagation, planting, harvest, distribution, sales, pest and disease management, and fertility input application. 

●  Contribute to and participate in morning planning meetings. 

●  Contribute to and participate in weekly farm staff meetings.

Other (5%) 

●  Contribute to and participate in relevant committee and staff meetings, trainings, etc. 

●  Assist with distribution of produce at Mobile Market, and join other cross-departmental opportunities as they arise. 

Work at least 2 out of 3 Shalom Farms events (Summer Open House req)
●  Other related assignments as necessary.

Qualities 

Interest in organic farming and/or non-profit direct service work. 
Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 
Can communicate well, even in stressful situations; comfortable delegating.
Willingness to work hard in difficult weather conditions. 
Recognizes produce availability changes and ability to adapt accordingly.
Ability to multi-task. 
Detail oriented and organized, while maintaining an attitude of flexibility and a tolerance for change
Commitment to racial equity and to Shalom Farms' values: justice, collaboration, integrity, respect, and sustainability
Values diversity and enjoys working with diverse groups. 
Ability to work both with groups and alone. 
Ability to take initiative and work in a fast paced environment 
Ability to lift 50 lbs. or more repeatedly. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eOcG7kIt1ju5ND0jYUbC-lHDeTYm9STI669Hupqmrl0/edit?usp=sharing

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

January 15, 2025