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Hiring: Farm Manager- Littleton Community Farm

Littleton Community Farm (LCF) is a 3-acre diversified vegetable farm in Littleton, M.A. whose mission is to reduce food insecurity in our area, provide farm-based education, and be a place for community connection. We aim to inspire through hands-on exposure to agriculture and growing for our entire community. The Farm offers a 75 household CSA and Pick Your Own Flowers operation.

Job Description

Littleton Community Farm is looking for an experienced and committed candidate to the fill the role of Farm Manager. Reporting to our Board of Directors this person will oversee and run all day-to-day farming, food donation, land stewardship, budgeting, and crew. These responsibilities also include interfacing with the community, partners and funders. We are looking for a candidate who can work independently and provide strong agricultural leadership to the Board  of Directors and to field staff.

The ideal candidate will possess strong experience and knowledge of sustainable production, CSA management, experience managing and working with staff and volunteers, a strong work ethic, and an aptitude for building rapport with the wider community. The farm is moving to significantly increase production over the coming years to increase our donation amounts.  This will include moving towards season extension and construction of a new 30×70 high tunnel and caterpillar tunnels in 2022. Mitigating and adapting the farm to climate change is key to our future success.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Oversee and manage:
    • All produce and production on the 3-acre farm, with strong attention to nutrient management and conservation goals, and in keeping with organic practice. These include:
      • Demonstrated ability to plan a budget in consultation with the Board of Directors and Executive Director for which the Farm Manager will be primarily responsible.
      • Managing the 18-20-week CSA (June-October), including customer communications in conjunction with other staff.
      • Planning production to meet hunger-relief objectives and coordinating the distribution of food towards to local partners.
    • General tidiness and effective storage and protection of farm equipment and assets.
    • Farm maintenance, including machinery, cropping, and pest management systems, and tools, as well as basic maintenance, such as plumbing, electrical, and light construction work as needed.
    • Using and maintaining Irrigation systems, including creating and managing a watering schedule for greenhouse, hoop house, and production fields (this includes hand-watering as needed).
    • Mowing and maintaining fields adjacent to farm fields, including a newly added lot intended for future community or educational use.
  2. Managing staff and volunteers, interfacing with the community.
    • Hiring, and managing an Assistant Manager and field crew to assist in production and volunteer management.
    • Coordinating volunteer staff for identified tasks and needs.
    • Representing the farm to visitors, passersby, local organizations and partners
    • Executing the production goals of the three-year strategic plan.
  3. Maintain system of record keeping and management.
  4. Support LCF’s fundrasing goals through technical input in grant writing and meeting of donors on the farm in partnership with the Executive Director.

Required qualification and experiences:

  1. A minimum of 5 years of farm experience including 2 years of a farm assistant role.
  2. Candidates with knowledge of JeanMartin Fortier No-till methods of farming will be given extra consideration.
  3. Excellent communication, collaboration and leadership skills, including a proven track record of managing personnel.
  4. Demonstrated recorded of high level of planning and organization.
  5. Ability to work well with a variety of customers and community members.
  6. Experience with operating, maintaining basic repairs machinery and power equipment.
  7. Knowledge of the principles of soil biology, no-till crop production, permaculture, food web, flowers, growing perennials, using cover crops, utilizing living mulches, composting, soil testing, and/or other ecological/organic growing methods.
  8. Building/construction experience.

Desired qualifications and experiences:

  1. A willingness and ability to work outdoors in all types of weather, under potentially strenuous conditions.
  2. A detail-oriented approach, with considerable attention to order, cleanliness, and an ongoing commitment to improving systems and practices.
  3. Email communication (timely and proper etiquette), knowledge of Box, Microsoft Word, Excel, Google and PowerPoint a plus.
  4. A desire to produce food of the highest nutritional, culinary, and ecological quality, and to continue to learn and grow as a person and farmer. Continuous personal development is encouraged and supported at Littleton Community Farm.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  1. Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
  2. Cell phone and computer access
  3. Reliable transportation as our suburban farm  is not near public transportation.
  1. Satisfactory CORI Check

TIME REQUIREMENTS

This is a full-time job. During the growing season, a typical workweek is approximately 50-60 hours/week; in the off-season, the typical work week is 25-30 hours/week. Evenings and weekends are required during the growing season and for special events.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

  1. This is a competitive salaried position that will based on the market and the applicant’s skills and experience. Salary range begins at $50,000 per year.
  2. Mass Health Stipend.
  3. Two weeks paid vacation, paid holidays and 40 hours a year paid sick time.
  4. Access to organic produce and flowers grown on the farm.
  5. Personal and professional development opportunities in consultation with the Board of Directors, including opportunities to develop skills in non-profit management and farm-based education.

To apply please send your resume and brief cover letter to admin@littletoncommunityfarm.org

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