Farm Manager

About the role

The role of the Farm Manager at MEVO is to ensure a successful farm season by managing the farm well to ensure a revenue stream that supports MEVO’s work and by providing experiential education through volunteer events, internship programs, and workshops that connect people to the earth and each other. The Farm Manager embodies MEVO’s mission on the farms by inspiring change in the way we relate to our food system and environment.

Responsibilities

• Field Production Management
  • Adhering to a low-till, market garden growing system
  • Creating and implementing a crop plan for each farm (Fresh Roots Farm and Lottie’s Farm)
  • Creating weekly/daily worklists and schedules based on long-term and short-term goals
  • Directing field management including planting, crop maintenance, and maintaining the integrity of our raised bed systems
  • Overseeing nursery management including seeding, watering, and up-potting
  • Leading harvest day responsibilities, including washing, packing, and curing/storing crops for market/CSA/restaurants
  • Ordering/buying seeds, materials, and tools as needed for the farm
  • Developing and implementing a fertility program to enhance soil health
  • Managing our compost system
  • Ensuring the collection and recording of all field data such as harvest data and crop plan performance
• Infrastructure
  • Maintaining existing infrastructure including greenhouses, tables, fences, refrigerator, irrigation, etc.
  • Building new infrastructure when needed such as hoophouses, fences, and tool storage
  • Implementing “Lean Principles”: keeping all areas on the farm neat and orderly
  • Operating, transporting, and getting repair MEVO machinery including pick-up truck, trailer, and skid steer
• Farm Development
  • Being willing to take a proactive approach to securing and developing new growing spaces
  • Working with the Executive Director to help design and implement field blocks, greenhouses, hoop houses, and any infrastructure that is needed at a new farm
• Marketing and Sales
  • Managing the CSA:
  • Conceptualizing CSA offerings and structure
  • Managing and ordering any add-on items we offer (grains, mushrooms, eggs, ferments, etc.)
  • Communicating with CSA members, including creating a weekly CSA Harvest Sheet for email communication
  • Overseeing harvest, washing, and packing of shares 1-2 days per week
  • Running CSA stand and training others to do so
  • Managing Ramsey Farmers’ Market stand:
  • Leading the weekly market harvest day and creating a weekly harvest list that reflects the trends and demands of the market
  • Registering for market participation and communicating with the market manager regarding market attendance
  • Ensuring the stand has all needed supplies (signs, tents, tablecloths, etc.) and that they are in good shape
  • Ensuring that the market stand is organized and aesthetically pleasing
  • Keeping track of earnings and payment methods including using Square mobile payment device
  • Developing new sales outlets if supply consistently outweighs demand
• Staff and Internship Management
  • Creating a cohesive, supportive, and professional work environment for staff, interns and volunteers
  • Leading by example to establish an efficient, punctual, and friendly work culture
  • Letting the Executive Director know about issues with staff including poor work performance, chronic absenteeism or lateness, or conflict with other staff
  • Sharing responsibility for the Spring, Summer, and Fall College Interns with the Farm Manager Assistant and Executive Director. We work with around 15-20 interns yearly.
  • Co-planning internship content and structure
  • Interviewing prospective Farm Crew interns and conducting mid-internship & exit interviews
  • Managing and training interns to accomplish daily tasks consistent with schedule and quality of work expected
  • Structuring & guiding daily/weekly intern reflection circles
• Volunteer Program Management
  • Managing Volunteer Events (1-2 times per week)
  • Leading or delegating the management of volunteer events, ensuring staff have a comprehensive understanding of the work for the day
  • Creating a work list and schedule for volunteer events based on the number of volunteers
  • Ensuring volunteers get a quality experience through a farm tour for new volunteers, friendly interactions, and sending them home with veggies when possible

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• At least two seasons of prior farming experience
• Ability to work physically hard (lift up to 50 lbs. regularly) and in all weather conditions
• Impeccable time management (punctuality and arriving to work on time)
• Valid driver’s license
• Intermediate knowledge of food, cooking, and botany
• Prior experience in a management/supervisory role
• Willingness to work with groups of all ages and backgrounds
• Willingness to read and view the following materials before or at the start of the position (MEVO will provide): The Market Gardener Masterclass and The Lean Farm

Compensation and Benefits

• Annualized salary of $45,760-$52,000 DOE
• 401(K) after 3 months of employment with a match of up to 3.5% (match can be taken with the employee after three years of employment)
• Health Insurance stipend of $250 per month
• 1 hour of sick leave accrued for every 30 hours worked
• PTO: 10 days and holidays (Thanksgiving weekend, from Christmas Eve-New Years Day and 4th of July)

Schedule

• Weekly schedule: Sunday through Thursday (subject to change)
• Approximately 2 hours of weekend chores (watering the greenhouse) during the growing season (performed in a rota with the Executive Director, Assistant Farm Manager, and Farm to School Manager)
• Occasional additional weekend days required (one-off volunteer events, workshops)
• Typical hours are 9AM to 5PM
• Anticipated hours March 1st through December 15th: 40-60+ hours per week
• Anticipated hours December 19th through late February: 20-30 hours per week

To Apply

Please fill out this Google form: https://forms.gle/9XxKbSKL3phNo6ys9, including your resume and cover letter. If you have questions before applying, you can reach out to our current Farm Manager Jacob Morenberg, jacob@mevo.org, and our Executive Director, Violet Reed, violet@mevo.org.