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Farm Manager
Classification – Non-exempt (hourly)
Salary Range - $15 - $20/hour
Reports to – Executive Director (ED) and Chief Operating Officer (COO)
JOB DESCRIPTION
About A Farm Less Ordinary
A Farm Less Ordinary (AFLO) is a 501c3 non-profit whose mission is to provide employment, training and a welcoming community to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities (ID/DD). We cultivate a sense of self-worth and independence for our “Growers” through a basic job skill training program, and through employment itself.
Our focus is to promote habits, social skills, and behaviors that can be used in any work setting. Our Growers are paid for their work starting at or above minimum wage; wages increase as those goals are met while they farm, produce “value added” products, and work at the Farmers’ Market. In the process, our Growers learn not only hand-on skills in growing and preparing food, but also develop their executive function skills, problem-solving abilities, and self-advocacy tools, while gaining confidence as productive members of their community.
At AFLO, we recognize that our vegetables may not always be perfect looking, nor are we always able to operate at optimal efficiency. We try our best, operate with a sense of humor, and always seek to improve our methods, crop yields, management practices throughout and across the seasons.
Summary/Objective
The Farm Manager supervises and directs a crew of volunteers and Growers (adults with ID/DD) on all farm tasks including greenhouse seeding, planting, weeding, irrigation systems, harvesting, and post-harvest handling, with an emphasis on food safety, and field maintenance tasks. In addition, the Farm Manager is responsible for keeping the ED & COO up-to-date on crop conditions and staff/volunteer performance, record keeping, planning, tool & machinery status, preparations for Farmers’ Markets and the vegetable box subscription program, and overseeing the creation of value-added products.
The Farm Manager will also need to brainstorm the best ways to assign work and schedule the work day, based on the abilities and personalities of the Growers working each day. The Farm Manager will work with Crew Leaders, who will help the Growers carry out their assigned tasks for the day.
In 2020, AFLO will operate at two locations: in Bluemont, VA and Leesburg, VA. Most likely, we will operate in Leesburg on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and in Bluemont on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During the spring, this Farm Manager will overlap with the previous Farm Manager, who will work part-time to help ensure a smooth transition and an understanding of how best to set-up for a successful growing season with AFLO’s Growers.
Essential Functions
- Manage small chemical-free vegetable farms (approximately 2.5 acres each) in Leesburg, VA and Bluemont, VA.
- Supervise a combined team of Growers and volunteers in a wide variety of farm tasks
- Supervise part-time Crew Leaders, who will keep Growers on task while out in the field
- Work closely with the ED & COO to plan all farm activities, including weekly, seasonal, & longer-term plans for the farm
- Work with ED & COO to prepare for major volunteer events throughout the season, as well as 1-2 fundraising events on/off farm in June and autumn
- Develop crop plan, including mapping and scheduling (seeding through removal)
- Conduct research about weather, crops and soil conditions; inspect fields to monitor crop health with regards to these
- Inspect equipment to ensure proper functioning
- Set individual goals with Growers that they can accomplish during the Grower season
- Manage harvest for and preparation of subscription boxes for 15-week Community-
Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, with help from Crew Leaders and Growers
- Manage harvest, sales materials, and pack-up for weekly Wednesday farmers’ market in
Leesburg.
- Must have:
- Willingness to work with adults with ID/DD
- Ability to motivate others under difficult conditions (like weather!)
- Good communication skills, desire to work collaboratively as part of a larger team
- Sense of humor and flexibility, as results aren’t always what you expect each day at
AFLO
Competencies
- Ability to lead and work with a team
- Ability to take and implement directions from ED and COO
- Interest in working with adults and youth with ID/DD
- Comfortable using tractors and small power tools and equipment
- Working knowledge of plants and crops, soil conditions, and organic farming
Supervisory Responsibility
The Farm Manager is responsible for ensuring that farm tasks are completed, as required, and manages with the Growers with ID/DD and the Crew Leaders to direct staff and volunteers.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions, such as rain and varying temperatures. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job is split between two locations: Bluemont and Leesburg, Virginia.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to have full range of mobility in upper and lower body; be able to reach overhead; be able to work in various positions, including stooping, standing, bending over, sitting, kneeling and squatting for extended periods of time; be able to lift, pull and push materials and equipment to complete assigned job tasks; and be able to lift 50 pounds of weight throughout the assigned workday.
Animal care such as feeding and cleaning chicken coops.
Physical stamina to work 2-3 hours with requiring a break.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time hourly position. Typical days and hours of work are Monday through Friday,8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Occasional overtime may be required. The Farm Manager also participates in local farmers’ markets and other activities that support A Farm Less Ordinary.
Required Experience and Education
- At least two years / growing seasons of farm experience
- Prior leadership experience supervising employees
- Knowledge of planting and harvesting techniques
- Coursework and/or degree in horticulture and farm management (preferred, but not required)
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $15.00 to $20.00 /hour
Pay may depend on skills and/or qualifications
Experience:
- management: 2 years (Preferred)
- Farming: 2 years (Preferred)
Education:
- Bachelor's (Required)
Location:
- Leesburg, VA 20175 (Required)
Application Question:
- Do you have any experience working/volunteering with people who have intellectual/developmental disabilities?
Work Location:
- Multiple locations
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
This Job Is Ideal for Someone Who Is:
- People-oriented enjoys interacting with people and working on group projects
- Adaptable/flexible enjoys doing work that requires frequent shifts in direction
- Innovative prefers working in unconventional ways or on tasks that require creativity
Vacancy expired!