Farm Manager

Our Mission: to foster an agricultural program that integrates sustainable land stewardship, education and food-based community engagement. Collaborating with local farms, schools, and food pantries, TSGP aims to increase the amount of sustainably produced local food, especially for those in need; support the development of systems to get local food to consumers; and facilitate education to increase community engagement in local agriculture.

Farm Manager

We are currently seeking a salaried, year-round Farm Manager (FM) to manage all aspects of the farm operation, including the farm budget, all food production, care and maintenance of equipment and infrastructure, and hiring and supervising farm crew. The farmer is semi-autonomous and reports directly to the Executive Director: while a key part of the larger Three Sisters team and collaborator with the ED and program/education staff, the Farm Manager’s primary focus is food production and farm management.

Our first growing season was in 2015 and we have a small CSA at the core of the farm operation. We cultivate 4.5 acres for summer and fall shares, with wholesale & food pantry donations making up another third of production. Our produce donations to food access partners are a key part of our mission and production goals, with the same high expectations for quality and shelf life as the food we grow for CSA members or wholesale accounts.

Three Sisters operates under a long-term lease from the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, an international educational religious institution and its Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center on the site of a former dairy farm.

Responsibilities include:

Manage all aspects of the farm and field work: crop planning, greenhouse and high tunnel, field prep, seeding, transplanting, irrigation, weed, disease and pest control, harvesting, washing & packing, inventory and ordering of all supplies, soil fertility management, cover cropping, cultivation, equipment maintenance, and more.
Care and maintenance of all farm equipment, tools, and infrastructure, including tractors, irrigation system, cooler, greenhouse and high tunnel, and more.
Managing seasonal farm crew and volunteers, including interviewing and hiring, weekly payroll approval, daily management, and regular check-ins with staff.
Managing farm budget to achieve expected income and expenses; collaborate with Executive Director and TSGP board to create the budget each year.
Managing CSA member signup process and payments; managing all communications with CSA members about the share, including weekly newsletter during the season.
Managing communication with wholesale accounts and food donation partner organizations, including sending availability lists, fulfilling orders, and creating invoices.
Participate in regular staff meetings with the ED and other staff to communicate the needs, goals, and priorities of the farm.
Experience and Skills Needed:

A minimum of 5 years production farming experience, with significant time spent leading staff and volunteers;
Experience in greenhouse and high tunnel production, crop planning, and growing for a CSA, including farm record keeping, budget management, and familiarity with spreadsheet applications;
Knowledge, use and maintenance of tractors, cultivation tools, and other farm equipment and infrastructure;
Experience with organic/sustainable agricultural practices including crop rotation, cover cropping, proper use of amendments, and ability to prioritize soil health and fertility;
Ability to be part of a team and work well with others, including the ED, other staff, board members, farm neighbors and landlord, non-profit partners, other farmers, and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.
Good written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal, management and leadership skills, are all essential to the position: we are looking for a confident leader with the ability to motivate, educate, and inspire.
Requirements:

Current driver’s license and ability to pass a CORI background check and driving record check.
Ability to lift 50lbs. regularly.
Must have excellent organizational and time management skills, the ability to multi-task, and meet deadlines.
The position is based on a seasonally-variable 40-hour average work week and includes a competitive salary, beginning early 2020. Contract will be reviewed and renewed on an annual basis.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Pilar Redmond, Executive Director: pilar@threesistersgarden.org