Hiring: Farm Manager – Frogfoot Farm

Frogfoot Farm Manager

The Marion Institute is looking for a full-time Farm Manager for our newest nonprofit program, Frogfoot Farm, Neighbors Feeding Neighbors. Frogfoot Farm is a new six acre, Farm-to-Food Relief program on previously unfarmed land, owned by A.D. Makepeace Company, and located on the Plymouth-Wareham town line.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

The Frogfoot Farm Manager is an experienced farmer who is passionate about the sustainability of diversified agriculture on the Southcoast of Massachusetts. This position entails planning and executing the launch and growth of a small farm that supplies high-quality, culturally-relevant produce to local food pantries.

The Frogfoot Farm Manager leads day-to-day operations on the farm, including pre-season planning, guiding and training farm personnel/volunteers, completing relevant reporting, ensuring the quality of the produce, and that our program goals are attained. This position will appeal to farmers who enjoy collaborative, mission-driven work that engages partners and the public on farming and local food system issues. Ideally, the Frogfoot Farmer has an interest in or experience with regenerative agriculture, the soil food web, and principles of agroecology.

The farm will be operated by one full-time and one part-time staff member, and will heavily engage volunteers to complete farm tasks.

Farm Development & Administration:

• Implement a whole farm plan in collaboration with the Director of Food Access and Innovation.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for the farm.
• Maintain records of farm practices.
• Work with the Director of Food Access and Innovation to plan planting and harvesting schedules.
• Assist in setting achievable production targets that increase over time.
• Assist in the coordination of delivery of produce to food pantries.
• Conduct farm tours.
• Represent Frogfoot Farm and the MI at meetings and other public settings, as appropriate.
• Engage in the Marion Institute, Southcoast Food Policy Council and Frogfoot Farm’s culture of learning and sustainability – both internally and externally.
• Work with the Director of Food Access and Innovation and Director of Engagement to inform grant applications and other funding channels.
• Attend weekly team meetings in Marion, as appropriate.
• Meet weekly with the Director of Food Access and Innovation.
• Review monthly budget report with the Director of Food Access and Innovation.

Farm Operations:

• Manage all aspects of vegetable, fruit, and flower production, including but not limited to, preparing garden beds, amending soil, turning compost, planting, weeding, transplanting, irrigating, trellising, pruning, harvesting, post-harvest washing and packaging, irrigation/water management.
• Responsible for purchasing seeds and plant-starts, within budget limits and submitting receipts to accounting.
• Maintain farm equipment.
• Collaborate with A.D. Makepeace Co. in sharing equipment, aiding in infrastructure projects, and maintaining the property in a clean and organized manner (vehicle/traffic areas, general grounds keeping, common areas, etc.).
• Process and package produce for local food pantries, maintaining detailed records to show amounts/types donated.
• Manage greenhouse and tunnel work (moving and setting up mobile tunnels, trellising, seeding starts, etc.).
• Ensure adequate supplies of tools, and materials for packaging produce and plants.
• Educate, train, and manage seasonal staff and volunteers.
• Troubleshoot challenges, as they arise.

Additional duties, as assigned.

Requirements & Skills
The candidate must possess the following:

• At least 3 years of agriculture or farming experience, ideally with at least one year leading a team.
• Ability to pass a Mandatory Criminal Record (C.O.R.I.) check.
• Respect for diversity of opinion, experience, and background.
• Enthusiasm, creativity, resourcefulness, and positive can-do attitude.
• Ability to communicate and teach diverse groups of people about the work and mission of the farm (farm tours and school groups).
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions (rain, snow, temperatures below freezing, hot summer conditions, etc.).
• Ability to stand for long periods of time (up to 10 hours).
• Must be able to bend, crawl, and kneel for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift or move heavy items, up to 50 pounds.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Ability to travel by personal automobile to events and meetings.
• Occasional night and weekend work is required.

Experience, knowledge, or enthusiasm about any of the following preferred:

• Experience managing volunteers and/or employees.
• Familiarity in various growing environments such as field, rooftop, raised beds, high tunnels.
• Ability to work independently as well as lead a team.
• General knowledge of food systems, access and equity.
• Knowledge of regenerative agriculture methods, including no-till, organic or naturally grown, and/or permaculture orchards.
• Basic carpentry.
• Basic small machine repair skills.
• Fence repair experience.
• Experience in operating farm machinery/equipment (tractors, mowers, chainsaws, trailers, vans and trucks).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, or willingness to learn.

Additional Details
This is a full-time, 40 hour per week salaried position, exempt from overtime pay. The MI offers a generous and competitive benefit package that includes health insurance, dental insurance, life & long term disability insurance, 403B and Roth IRA retirement plans, an employee wellness reimbursement, paid sick time, and accrued paid vacation time. The annual salary range is $55,000 – $65,000 per year, based on experience. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply and share your unique history and qualifications.

The Frogfoot Farmer reports to the Director of Food Access and Innovation.

Preferred start date: March 1, 2024

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Abigail Smith, Human Resources Manager, to asmith@marioninstitute.org or 202 Spring Street, Marion, MA 02738. Submissions without a cover letter will not be reviewed.

We are committed to developing a team that reflects the communities that we serve and strive to accomplish our goals by actively seeking people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in our work.

The Marion Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, military status, or status as a Vietnam- era or special disabled veteran.