Farm Manager

Nature of work : Entails all management and operation of the 1.5-acre farm under the Strength to Love II (S2L2) program - a community-based program in west Baltimore’s Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood designed to employ citizens returning from incarceration and address food apartheid.

Please ensure you read the below overview and requirements for this employment opportunity completely.

Duties include crop planning, planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, composting, hoop house maintenance and upkeep, pest management, ordering supplies, and supervision of paid and volunteer workers.

This position is performed under the direction of the Program Director of S2L2.

The S2L2 program is part of the community nonprofit Intersection of Change, dedicated to addressing poverty-related issues in west Baltimore.

The farm manager must support the organization’s mission and social justice approach to food system change. Ideal candidates are comfortable working in a low-income community dealing with post-incarceration issues.

Primary Responsibilities :

• Manage all farm activities to ensure effective operation and production, including but not limited to :
• Compile an annual crop plan based on historical sales trends supporting S2L2’s customer base and community partners
• Create planting schedules and diagrams for staff
• Planting, fertilization, cultivation, irrigation, pest management, harvest, post-harvest handling, marketing, invasive species removal, pruning, landscaping, machinery operation, mowing, trash removal, and building projects
• Operate and maintain greenhouse
• Train and manage farm staff, interns, and volunteers
• Plan, manage, and oversee on-farm volunteers
• Enforce safety procedures and regulations
• Maintain and repair farm structures
• Set farm goals, submit reports to the program director, and correct issues impeding goal accomplishment
• Coordinate marketing strategies, sales, invoicing, and provide necessary farm management data
• Work with program director on budgeting, machinery purchases, staff hiring, and performance evaluations
• Submit staff payroll records, document the farm for social media, analyze farm capital needs, financial statements, and propose budget adjustments
• Send weekly field reports to the program director

Preferred Qualifications (Experience and Education) :

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, botany, chemistry, business management, or related field, or commensurate education with Master Gardener Certification
• Three years of farming experience, including 2 years of organic and / or sustainable farming practices
• At least 1 year of agricultural operations management experience
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainable agricultural production
• Knowledge of small-scale vegetable production, high tunnel production, and greenhouse propagation
• Expertise with farm equipment and machinery
• Basic computer skills
• Strong leadership, organizational, collaborative, and time management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Valid Maryland non-commercial or equivalent out-of-state license
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds, work in extreme temperatures, adverse weather conditions, and maintain a flexible schedule including weekends

J-18808-Ljbffr