Farm Manager

Employer: LEAF Project Inc

Position: Farm Manager

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: On site, In person (Landisburg, PA)

Schedule: Full-time Salaried Position, average of 5 days per week (with other staff coverage 2 days per week for watering and basic farm management, schedule impacted by farm goals and weather considerations), some weekend and evening time required

Salary: $40,000-$50,000, commensurate with experience, opportunities for advancement & bonuses

Benefits: Significant employer contribution toward health insurance benefits coverage, employer-matching retirement benefit, 21 days Paid Time Off in first year of employment (including a one week winter pause)

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Since 2013, the LEAF Project has been meeting our mission of cultivating youth leaders from diverse backgrounds through meaningful work in the food system. LEAF creates a rare and powerful space for youth leaders to experience their capacity and engage in building a resilient food system through year round positions of increasing responsibility. On our 7 acre home farm (1.5 acres in production), LEAF runs a sustainable vegetable farm and food ventures that feed our community through farm shares, restaurant partnerships, public health partnerships, and donations. Through seasonal internships, LEAF youth also engage in their own leadership development, workforce readiness skills, and move on to positions of increased responsibility running LEAF ventures in our community.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Farm Manager position is at the heart of LEAF's work as they create and implement the annual crop plan, creating a productive and abundant environment for LEAF's mission. The Farm Manager focuses on all aspects of production management including soil fertility, bed preparation, seeding, planting, post harvesting handling and pack out, record keeping, and customer interactions. The farm manager will both work independently and supervise crews of youth workers and community members.

The right candidate for this position is passionate about agriculture and has management experience in diversified farming. Beyond a passion for farming, this person should have a sense of humor and positive attitude, like to hustle and build efficiency, and enjoy working alongside diverse co-workers and youth. This person is excited to grow within a mission driven organization and small staff team.

LEAF is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to employing a diverse team that reflects the diverse identities of the youth we work alongside and the community we serve. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Whole Farm Management: Coordinate the management of LEAF's Home Farm (7 acre lot, 1.5 acres in cultivation, 2 high tunnels, and 1 heated propagation house) that distributes produce weekly through our farm share program (about 80 boxes per week), weekly farmers market, wholesale/restaurant partnerships (4-8 partners), kitchen program partnership, and donations to our community partners.

• Annual Farm Goal Setting & Growth: work alongside Executive Director to develop annual farm goals, seek growth opportunities, and drive profitability for the farm
• Crop Planning: Revise annual crop plan with support from Farm Advisor & Executive Director
• Implement Annual Crop Plan: Plant propagation, bed preparation, seeding, cultivation, harvest, post harvest handling, etc.
• Team Leadership: maintain and communicate weekly priorities and task list, supervise farm labor (staff, youth, and volunteers), support youth weekend farm watch
• Soil Health Management: Oversee soil health in the form of developing a cover crop plan, working with soil experts to design fertility plan, and participating in and maintaining records for the Soil Benchmark Study and Nutrient Density Study
• Plant Health Management: Oversee plant health through integrated pest management, proactive plant health practices, and minimal tillage
• Tools & Infrastructure Management: Utilize, maintain, and repair tools and infrastructure including a two-wheel tractor (BCS), greenhouse/high tunnel, drip irrigation, trellis installation, etc
• Farm Administration (Oversee farm record keeping, customer management, invoicing, and communications with chef & farm partners & farm share hosts)
• Farm Education: Support Diversified Vegetable Pre-Apprenticeship (DVP) lead in mentoring youth in farm skill competencies and knowledge
• Partner Farm produce/product acquisition and distribution - Farm share deliveries/pickups, partner farm add-ons/produce pickup, acquiring necessary Farm supplies, amending market cash box at bank, produce donations, general LEAF errands

Staff Engagement & Special Events: Work alongside a small, hardworking team of 6 adult staff who are committed to LEAF's mission and their own growth, building and maintaining a positive and equitable culture

• Participate in weekly staff meetings and monthly feedback process
• Work with the LEAF team to staff special events (occasional evenings, weekends, etc)
• Support team in "all hands on deck" events like Savor, LEAF's annual signature event

WHO YOU ARE:

• Professionally committed to growing in the field of sustainable agriculture and vegetable production
• Skilled manager able to prioritize competing tasks and communicate effectively
• Detail-focused while maintaining a big picture perspective
• Able to give and receive thoughtful feedback
• Engaged in your own personal growth
• Entrepreneurial-minded and independently motivated to set timelines and achieve goals
• Able to learn quickly and adapt to changing systems
• Interested in both collaborating with others and working independently
• Ready to work alongside a small, hard-working team at a mission-driven organization on the front lines of youth development, social justice, and innovative food system work

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3 years management experience on a sustainable vegetable production farm
• Experience in administrative farm management (Crop planning, budget management, etc)
• Capacity to work alongside youth in a management capacity plus relevant youth protection clearances
• Able to work outside in all weather conditions (heat, rain, cold), lift up to 50 lbs. safely, and navigate uneven terrain
• Able to operate and maintain small farm equipment including two-wheel tractor implements, hand tools, etc
• Ability to craft, manage, and maintain farm records, invoices, etc
• Valid driver's license

APPLICATION PROCESS:

If you are interested in this position, please submit a resume & cover letter to Heidi Witmer at LEAF will reach out to promising candidates to schedule a virtual interview. Final round candidates will be invited to the LEAF Farm to work alongside youth and staff and will be compensated for their time.

Pay: $40, $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $50,000