Hiring: Farm Manager – Just Roots

Just Roots is a non-profit food justice organization in Greenfield, Massachusetts committed to increasing access to healthy food. Founded in 2008 by a group of community members seeking land to grow on, Just Roots began as a community garden.  Eight years later, Just Roots and the Greenfield Community Farm manage 60 acres of town-owned land, growing 5-7 acres of vegetables and running a wide range of healthy food access programs in our community.

Our programs:

• Put food on the tables of low-income households through a subsidized CSA program and donations to food pantries and community meals
• Bring a fun, interactive healthy snack “laboratory” and nutrition education to our local elementary schools
• Develop, produce and serve healthy local soup to our school cafeterias
• Make growing food through community garden plots an option for everyone
• Provide skill-building and volunteering opportunities for community members and people from all over western Massachusetts including young farmers, inmates and students
• Increase awareness of and registration assistance for local and governmental food support systems such as SNAP and WIC through one-on-one sessions at monthly Healthy Food Clinics
• Strengthen our community’s relationships with one another and with healthy lifestyles through vegetable-based community meals on the farm and in low-income housing developments
• Facilitate experiences for students and community members to explore the ties between nature, good food, good health and food justice

Position:
We’re seeking a Farm Manager to join our small, dedicated team. This position is full-time and year-round, however hours will dramatically shift with the seasons and the needs of the farm.

Compensation:
Year 1 compensation: $25,000 base salary, + $5,000 of performance-based bonuses throughout the season.  Increased base salary and shift in payment structure available for the right candidate in year two.

Job Description:

The Farm Manager is responsible for all aspects of the Greenfield Community Farm’s operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Plan and execute/oversee sustainably-grown vegetable production on 5-7 acres of land, manage greenhouse, two high tunnels and ½-acre perennial crops
• Work closely with Just Roots Programs and Marketing Manager to administer CSA and ensure smooth communications and execution of on-farm programming and CSA/wholesale fulfillment.
• Attend or staff all CSA pickups and marketing outlets
• Hire, train and manage 3-person full-time farm staff – including orientation, scheduling, timesheets, safe food handling, safe work practices, quality control, team culture, sustainable practices and day-to-day leadership.
• Collaborate with Community Outreach Coordinator on management of volunteer crews
• Maintain financial records and production records, to be used for reporting, budgeting, and evaluation.
• Maintain equipment and infrastructure
• Support community garden and other utilized spaces on Just Roots land with occasional tractor work and labor support
• Lead farm tours and represent Just Roots at local agriculture events
• Take ultimate responsibility for all aspects of farm operations as well as product quality.

Qualifications:  

• Three years of vegetable production experience, at least one year of mid-level management.  Preferred experience of at least two years on farms of 5+ acres.
• Commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.
• Knowledge of advanced small-scale vegetable production and greenhouse propagation.
• Expertise with farm equipment and machinery.
• Experience with farm budgeting, intensive crop planning, soil fertility planning.
• Highly motivated, with the ability to train and work with a diverse (in skills, backgrounds, life situations) group of people in farm operations.
• Strong leadership, organizational, collaborative and time management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Valid drivers license.

You’ll be particularly suited for this job if you:

• Love (passionately!) growing food
• Thrive on bringing people together around physical, productive labor
• Accel in collaboration – both supporting teammates and receiving support
• Believe in the local farm as a powerful vehicle for social change and community building.
• Work with enthusiasm, passion, compassion and a sense of humor!

Sound interesting to you? Please be in touch!  

Send the following to rochelle@justroots.org:

• Cover letter and resume that demonstrates your qualifications.
• Three professional references. Include: name, title, business website, e-mail address and phone number