Farm Production Manager & Educator

About the Organization
Founded in 2005, the Somali Bantu Community Association (SBCA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to assist the Somali Bantu refugee community with the transition to their new lives and home here in Maine. The Community Farming Program supports and assists 130 Somali Bantu farmers by offering access to land, technical assistance, culturally appropriate on-site training, and marketing. The program offers farmers the ability to grow food for their families and communities and to supplement their livelihood selling their fresh produce. To learn more visit http://www.sbcmala.org/.

Position
The Farm Production Manager & Educator is responsible for overall farm management and stewardship of SBCA’s farms in Lewiston, Auburn, and New Gloucester, while also working with the overall project team to provide training and technical assistance to program participants. The Farm Production Manager is responsible for budgeting, oversight of farm operations, crop production and planning, infrastructure maintenance and repair, and providing technical assistance in a participatory and educational manner. In addition to overall oversight of day to day farm operations, the Farm Production Manager will partner with the program team to provide ongoing marketing, production, and farm management training, and assistance with enterprise development as appropriate. Experience working with diverse populations, participatory adult education, and experience managing diversified vegetable farms are necessary prerequisites for this position.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Farm Management (60%)
·  Work hands on with the Executive Director, Market Manager, and participating farmers in all aspects of whole farm system management including soil nutrient management, crop planning and oversight, opening new fields, planting, and irrigation design and setup.
·  Work closely with the Farm Manager and Markets Manager to develop crop production plans for farmers participating in wholesale and retail marketing.
·  Provide overall management and coordination to a diverse team of people working to keep daily farm operations running smoothly. Set work plans, project goals and deadlines.
·  Develop short-term and long-term fertility plans and work collaboratively with participating farmers and stakeholders to design, finalize and implement plans.
·  Organize and manage building projects such as wash & pack infrastructure, cold storage, and winter storage. Oversee infrastructure maintenance and repair as needed.
·  Develop, oversee, and monitor farm budget (annual and capital expenses).
Training & Education (30%)
·  In partnership with the project team, develop and deliver training programs, including delivering a series of off-season trainings on marketing and production for market gardeners and farmers.
·  Work with farmers annually to integrate whole farm field rotations with changes to individual farmers’ fields, and to develop personal plans for farmer field management. Integrate whole farm plans with plans for individual farmers’ fields.
·  Provide technical assistance to farmer participants in areas of farm systems work such as irrigation set up, cover cropping, tomato staking, proper use of mulches and plastics, proper pest ID and pest management solutions.
·  Work clearly and openly with all farmer participants growing on the site as needed.
Other Duties & Responsibilities (10%)
·  Assist with developing grant proposals and reports by tracking relevant metrics and outcomes and working in collaboration with the development team.
·  Maintain professional knowledge and skills by attending relevant workshops, training, and conferences. Review professional materials and literature.
·  Participation at staff meetings and other events as scheduled.
·  Perform other project related duties as required.

Qualifications & Experience
·  Minimum 3 years’ experience with production-scale diversified vegetable farming, preferably with increasing levels of farm responsibility and sound growing experience for a wide range of crops and all aspects of crop planning.
·  Direct experience developing and managing complex on-the-ground operations.
·  Past experience with bottom-line responsibility and accountability for budget development and implementation.
·  Experience conducting training in grassroots communities, in cross-cultural environments and/or experience with participatory adult education.
·  Experience providing services and support to minority and disenfranchised communities, particularly refugee or other pre-literate/limited-literacy populations.
·  Excellent communication and organizational skills. Strong presentation skills.
·  Detail oriented and able to track farming practices and field records as well as project expenses and associated administrative functions.
·  Available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
·  Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license.

Compensation
Salary $18 an hour beginning at 20 hours per week. This is a year round position with the opportunity for hours to expand as needed, particularly during the summer. The start date is flexible but the preferred start date is October 2, 2017.

To Apply
Please email three references, a résumé, and a brief cover letter explaining your interest and experience in farming, farm production management, and working with diverse populations to Kristina Kalolo at kalolokristina@gmail.com. Please combine all documents into one PDF application. Application review starts immediately.

The Somali Bantu Community Association is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applicants from culturally diverse backgrounds and/or historically oppressed communities to apply.