Hiring: Assistant Farm Manager- Upswing Farm

Job Title: Assistant Farm Manager
Reports to: Farm Manager
Hours: 30 hours/week December-March, 40-50 hours/week April-November
Position Period: Year Round
Compensation: Salaried. $40-50k depending on experience. 20 paid days off per year. Paid participation
in relevant conferences and educational programs. Abundant produce. Additional compensation
possible for highly experienced candidates. On farm housing may be available.

Fair Hiring Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color,
religion, or sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected
Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Farm Overview

We are a for-profit, certified organic, family owned and operated farm, managed by two experienced
owner/operators. We distribute to 450 member families through a year-round CSA, our primary outlet.
We attend one summer farmers market, work with several wholesale partners, sell 120 bouquets/week
from July to October and sell over 1000 flats of certified organic seedlings at our spring seedling sale.

We care deeply about finding the balance between growing and distributing high quality produce and
flowers, providing an inclusive, fulfilling and sustainable employment opportunity for our team,
continually refining our systems to improve soil fertility, crop quality, and production efficiency, and
achieving the financial success required to make our goals possible.

Job Summary
The Assistant Farm Manager (AFM) will work closely with the farm owner/operators and the rest of the
management team (Wash-Pack-Distribution Manager and Flower Manager) in all aspects of production
to meet the high quality standards our customers have come to expect. The AFM will be asked to take
leadership in one or more of the following production areas depending on the season; propagation,
tillage and bed preparation, harvest and field management and cultivation.

The AFM will work collaboratively with the farm managers to establish and implement annual, weekly
and daily production objectives to meet the farm’s goals.

The AFM will not be responsible for: accounting, marketing, communications, facilities maintenance,
equipment maintenance, or distribution management unless there is an aptitude and enthusiasm for
these areas of management. A willingness to manage two off-site CSA distributions per month is
preferred but not required; we share these responsibilities as a farm team.

Currently all management responsibilities are shared by the farm owners. This position can be tailored
somewhat to meet the interests and skillset of the right candidate. Ideal candidates, however, will be
passionate about small-scale vegetable production and interested and enthusiastic about all aspects of
management.

Responsibilities
Work with the owner/managers to implement the farm plan by collaboratively leading a team of 3-10
crew members in all aspects of production, which can include:
– Harvesting
– Transplanting by hand or on the tractor mounted transplanter
– Cultivating/weeding either with tractors, hoes, hand tools or by hand
– Mulching, trellising and other crop management tasks
– Plant propagation
Maintain clean and organized work and storage spaces
Perform necessary tractor work including primary tillage, bed preparation and cultivation
Participate in regular work planning meetings
Make deliveries and manage CSA distributions when needed
Work with the farm managers to write and refine SOP’s for regularly performed farm tasks

Minimum Qualifications*
Minimum 4 years experience of full-season vegetable production
Minimum 1 year management experience that includes managing a team of 3 or more crew members
Minimum 100 hours tractor operation experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Able to do fast, quality, detailed production tasks like bunching, picking, seeding and hand weeding
Able to effectively teach and lead production tasks while also working with a team
Extensive knowledge of diversified vegetable production and crop quality
Knowledge of plant propagation and experience managing farm transplant production
Knowledge and experience in safe tractor operation, including changing implements
Strong communication skills
Able to receive and provide constructive feedback
Able to work independently as well as part of a diverse team
Able to problem solve and adapt
Valid driver’s license, willingness to drive a box truck and other farm vehicles as needed
Basic understanding of proper use of power tools
Able to lift and carry 25-40lbs repeatedly
Willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions

*We are willing to train the right person, but candidates must either have demonstrated experience in
crew management or tractor operation to be considered for this position. Candidates with extensive
management and production capabilities may be eligible to receive additional compensation.

To Apply
Send a resume, cover letter and 3 references to brittany@upswingfarm.com and
kevin@upswingfarm.com
Applications due by February 15th.