Hiring: Sustainable Nantucket Farm Manager/Mentor Farmer Program (MFP) Manager

Job Title

Sustainable Nantucket Farm Manager/Mentor Farmer Program (MFP) Manager

Reports to:

Sustainable Nantucket’s Managing Director

Job Purpose

Sustainable Nantucket’s (SN) Mentor Farmer Program provides hands-on grower education and farming experience to islanders of all ages who wish to explore a career of farming on Nantucket. With over 7 acres of agricultural land licensed to us by the Nantucket Land Bank, mentored farmers will learn all aspects of farming from crop selection, greenhouse propagation, soil science and bed creation, cultivation, harvesting, irrigation, and integrated pest management. Growers will learn to create a business plan and establish market channels while working collaboratively with other students and with different island farmers. The MFP Manager will lead the effort to recruit and provide hands on training on crop production and poultry management. Additional duties are to manage farm resources and annual contracts with seasoned farmers on site.

Duties and responsibilities

• Establish the training program for the MFP, including working with SN’s Managing Director and Farm Committee to create effective curricula that is adaptable for all ages.
• Coach the mentees in establishing the active working beds/growing plots, located throughout the 7-acre site.
  • Create crop planning, rotation, and irrigation schedules.
  • Educate about soil tests, effective soil amendment strategies and record keeping.
  • Establish seed ordering, germination schedule in the heated greenhouses and a direct sowing plan.
• Promote the MFP Program within the community
  • Recruit new farmers for the program from the school population and other island community members.
  • Maintain relationships with island farmers and the Land Bank to promote agriculture.
• Manage all maintenance and effective functioning of farm buildings and resources (includes fencing, irrigation pipes and wells, electric and solar accounts and credits, roadway and parking areas, wash stations, greenhouses and gas service, and equipment – BCS, John Deere tractors and attachments and manual tools).
• Provide instruction on use of all farm tools and equipment. Minor repairs and troubleshooting for maintenance. Manage servicing of all farm equipment.
• Teach Fall and Spring semesters of a Sustainable Agriculture class at Nantucket High School (generally 12 hours/week during each term).

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience managing an agricultural enterprise, preferably growing vegetables and fruits. Experience with raising poultry a plus.
• Minimum of 2 years teaching farming skills in a working farm preferred.
• Enthusiasm for working with and teaching high school students.
• Energetic and collaborative personality to cultivate relationships in the community.
• Knowledge of operation and maintenance/repair of farm equipment.
• Valid driver’s license

Benefits

• Hourly salary to be determined based on qualifications. Assumed 7 hour/week workday March through November, 3 hour/week December-February.
• Thirteen paid holidays per year.
• Vacation time starting at 2 weeks in year one, three weeks in years 2-4. Not to be taken during prime growing season.
• 70 percent contribution towards SN’s health insurance plan.
• A match for your simple IRA contributions up to 3% of annual salary.

Send cover letter and resume to: info@sustainablenantucket.org