Company description

Verdant Hollow Farms is an Animal Welfare Approved and certified organic farm in Buchanan, Michigan.  Established in 2016, our main focus is the restoration of the 225 acre ecosystem of pasture, hardwood forest, and garden space using regenerative farming methods and land management.  This methodology ensures the welfare of our animals, restores the land, and provides our family and community with an edible bounty.  We also invite guests to the farm through our historical restored barn farm stays and a variety of agritourism activities like goat hikes and workshops.

The livestock side of the farm includes a small flock of mostly hair sheep, dairy goats, a 100+ flock of laying hens, and heritage hogs.  We run a breeding program for the sheep and goats and the heritage hogs are on the farm seasonally spring-fall and are grown out in our pine/walnut forest stand. Chickens live in a rotational system with our ruminants who are also rotated throughout the farm in our woodlots and on pasture.  All of this is done with holistic management and with the intention of building soil and combating invasives all while producing high quality animal based protein.  

In 2024, we completed construction on and opened one of a few licensed farmstead goat creameries in Michigan.  The two sides of this business (farm dairy and processing) not only utilizes the nutritious pasture raised goat milk our herd provides, but also helps preserve the dying art of farmstead cheesemaking.

Additionally the farm has a micro scale garden where we grow certified organic flowers, herbs, and produce for sale in our on farm store or processed for use in our apothecary and goat milk soap products.  

Job description

Our Ideal Candidate:

-Aligns with our overall farm vision and goals

-2+ years of market gardening leadership experience
-Is proficient and experienced with Tend or other gardening software
-Is a clear communicator, flexible, has a positive work attitude & seeks solutions out of problems
-Possesses a strong knowledge base, formal education, or work history in sustainable farming practices--
-Can regularly lift 50+ lbs above the waist or higher
-Willing to work in all weather conditions
-Will be a welcoming host to visitors in the garden and farm

Responsibilities:

-Provide autonomous and creative management of our seasonal vegetable, flower, and herbal production in existing garden spaces, high tunnel, and greenhouse (1/2 acre total)

-Maintain ongoing seeding, planting, input, harvest, and sales records per USDA MOSA organic certification requirements.

-Use of regenerative and organic practices to maximize soil and ecosystem health.

-Maintain a “lean” farm system to maximize productivity, efficiency, cleanliness, and aesthetics.

-Expansion and management of beneficial perennial flowers, herbs, and crops, including pollinators and medicinals.

-Management of part time garden helpers including scheduling and task delegating. 

-Establish short term and long term garden goals.

-Co management of customer ordering, packaging, and billing as well as coordinating pick-ups and deliveries.

-Harvest, pack, and stock product for our farm store inventory.

-Process herbal plants and flowers (harvest, dehydrate, etc.) for our line of apothecary goods.

-Participate in weekly meetings that review and manage overall goals as well as daily and intermediate tasks.

-Manage the packhouse so that it is a clean and efficient space, including inventory management and food safety precautions.

-Share our farm experience and knowledge with the community through gatherings and educational workshops/retreats.

-Hands on support and involvement with farm projects as needed and according to availability, i.e. infrastructure building, hay making, forest, livestock, and pasture management.

What we can offer:

Full time, seasonal (February/March-October) salaried position with competitive pay based on experience

5 days paid days off (vacation, illness, or personal)

Healthy, positive work environment

Be part of a fun and hard working team

Opportunity for learning and growth both personally and farm related

On site farm managers and engaged owner

Fully supported environment to execute your creative garden vision

Possibility for long term employment based on farm demand and availability, and knowledge of season extension growing for our region.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

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Deadline

April 01, 2025