Colonial Gardens and Colonial Farms is located in Blue Springs, MO. It is the garden center, reimagined! We offer a greenhouse, nursery, café and coffee shop, event space, and farmer’s market. It’s where plants, food and farms connect. Educational classes promoting local agriculture and sustainability as well as private events are also offered. Colonial Farms is an immersive farm experience with livestock, orchard, u-pick berries, vegetable production & festivals.

We are currently seeking a Market Garden Lead to join Colonial Farms to drive efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction in our dynamic market garden department. This role is not just about plants; it's about cultivating relationships, promoting sustainability, and exploring new opportunities for growth.

We are looking for a dedicated individual who is not only enthusiastic about regenerative agriculture and cutting-edge growing methods but is also wholeheartedly devoted to educating others about sustainable practices and agriculture. Your dedication to farm work, aquaponics, and nurturing relationships with customers and teammates will set you apart in this pivotal customer-facing role.

Bring your passion and expertise to Colonial Farms and join the exciting journey to being a unique agricultural destination that has been reinvented and reimagined to offer a one-of-a-kind experience at the intersection of plants, food, and farms!

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversight for Market Gardens, Greenhouses, and production operations - Develop and execute year-round produce production plan, manage those areas to improve processes, profitability, and yield.
• Maintenance of Gardens and Production Areas – Implement and follow the IPM, fertility, and planting programs for annual produce.
• Processing and Packaging – Oversee small-scale processing facility working with government guidelines to harvest and package goods for use in restaurant and market on site. Assure a quality and economically viable finished product while considering quality and environmental impact.
• Education and Information Delivery – Provide information to customers regarding the gardens operation during tours, field trips or farm fests as well as planning class outlines and other educational opportunities while working with the events and farms team.

Essential Job Duties:

• Daily maintenance of growing areas to meet quality and safety standards for produce, aquaponics, and fruit.
• Maintain gardens, greenhouses, and classroom areas including fertilization of pastures and repairs of equipment.
• Maintain year-round growing system including greenhouses, cuts, and other growing stock
• Manage processing and packaging processes
• Lead tours of the Gardens areas. Coordinate with the events team for planning
• Work with chef, market manager for product placement and growing planning

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain administrative records including inventory of supplies, chemicals, and equipment inventory
• Purchase and processing of growing supplies
• Orchard, cut flower, or vegetable work alongside ag team as seasonally needed.
• Collaborate with other team members on production needs, promotions, and cross merchandising.
• Assist with orchard/bramble or livestock chores as needed.
• Assist with repairs and maintenance of equipment, fencing, greenhouse, and other areas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Shows working knowledge of regenerative, 4 seasons produce growing.
• Ability to work alone or in team settings
• Strong communication skills.
• Experience on farm and greenhouses, including ability to operate farm vehicles, tools, and equipment

Minimum Qualifications:

• Required: 3 years of market garden / vegetable production growing experience on a production farm
• Required: Weekend availability
• Preferred: Greenhouse experience

Benefits you will Enjoy:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance 1st of the month after 30 days
• Generous 401k match with immediate vesting
• Company paid life insurance, STD, & LTD
• PTO and paid holidays
• Company culture centered around growth and innovation
• Career development & recognition

We honor our core values and expect our employees to as well. They are work hard, take pride in your work, be optimistic and respectful, show commitment, and continually grow.

We invite individuals who think like we do and will position us for major organizational growth to apply today. Join us in revolutionizing the green industry!

All applicants will be required to take the Culture Index survey. If you’d like to be considered faster, please copy and paste the following into your browser to complete the survey now: https://go.apply.ci/s/A550CC0000Please select the one named, Colonial Farms - Market Garden Lead.

Hourly Range: In lieu of experience - $18.00-$20.00 an hour

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