Farm & Agroforestry Manager
Are you detail oriented, highly organized, and self-motivated? Do you enjoy being creative, building relationships, and learning new things? Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge and skillsets with others? Do you enjoy collaborating with others just as much as you enjoy working independently? Are you able to see the big picture while understanding the details that need to be accomplished to get the job done? Do you describe yourself as reliable AND flexible?
The Horn Farm Center for is seeking a creative and motivated full-time Farm & Agroforestry Manager to join our talented team of land stewards and educators to create and innovate on-farm learning experiences through cutting-edge regenerative farming and agroforestry projects. The Farm & Agroforestry Manager will have the opportunity to collaboratively design and lead a new demonstration forest garden project, reshaping the way our community thinks about agriculture and helping to achieve Horn Farm Center’s strategic vision.
Position Summary
The Farm & Agroforestry Manager reports to the Executive Director and works in partnership with staff, program participants, renting farmers, and volunteers to deliver high-quality, farm-based educational experiences and steward the land regeneratively. The Farm Manager oversees activities on the farm including demonstration projects, facilities usage and upkeep, ongoing land management projects, the community gardens, the activities of renting farmers, and the Annual Plant Sale.
Within the demonstration field, specific energy and attention is directed towards demonstrating and teaching home-scale and market garden-scale polyculture food production, with emphasis on no-till, organic, closed loop growing. The Farm Manager provides oversight for general land management including woodland restoration, riparian buffer, and agroforestry projects.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement an ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) plan for the entire property to support the HFC’s educational programs and mission
- Train and supervise staff and volunteers to steward the land
- Lead the Demonstration Field/Food Forest Program:
- Design and implement accessible, replicable polyculture food production systems in the demonstration field with a focus on visitor education
- Design and lead a new Training Program focused on market-garden scale polyculture food production
- Teach classes and workshops focused on homesteading topics such as sustainable gardening and composting
- Lead the Plant Sale & Greenhouse Internship Program
- Develop and implement a production plan for the annual spring plant sale
- Deliver a hands-on learning experience, guiding interns in greenhouse production for the annual spring plant sale
- Incorporate regenerative agricultural principles and techniques into on-farm practices for both practical and demonstration purposes
- Serve as an information resource for community gardeners, renting farmers, volunteers, program participants, and visitors
- Monitor, inventory, and maintain Horn Farm facilities including farm buildings, equipment, tools, common areas, irrigation system, waste removal and any other facilities needs
- Manage on-farm composting operations and oversee CSC program
- Ensure farm operations are in good standing before leaving each work day – make sure water and equipment is turned off, doors closed, electric fence turned on, tools and equipment are put away, etc.
- Work with Executive Director to ensure on-farm activities are within the annual budget
- Attend staff meetings, participate in education programs and events, and assist Executive Director and co-workers in general operations as needed
- Serve as an enthusiastic ambassador for the Horn Farm Center
Required Qualifications:
- More than 3 years of experience with sustainable farming and food production
- More than 2 years of experience with agroforestry, forest gardening, or working with perennial plants
- Experience with public speaking, teaching or working in an educational setting
- Demonstrates an understanding of best practices for building and maintaining soil health in organic, no-till production systems
- Advanced knowledge of plant identification
- Experience with general land management
- Experience operating tractors and farm equipment including riding mowers, weedwackers, and other land maintenance tools and equipment
- Experience training and supervising staff and volunteers
- A willingness to learn on the job and develop skill sets/knowledge necessary to realize the organization’s goals and mission
- Comfortable working in varying weather conditions – heat, rain, wind
- Able to manage time and prioritize responsibilities, projects and tasks in a way that is efficient and self-directed
- Works cooperatively with staff and volunteers
- Skilled listener and a willingness to learn and take direction
- Communicates any needs, challenges, or successes with supervisor and other staff
- Able to lift 50 pounds
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with animal husbandry and integrating animals into regenerative production systems
- Experience with woodland and riparian buffer management
- Experience with permaculture or systems design
Position Details:
- Full-time, in-person, 40 hours/week
- While this position is primarily in-person, some remote office work is possible
- Flexible work schedule, some evening and weekend days may be required as necessary
- Collaborative, developmental work environment
- Training and professional development opportunities provided
- Annual Salary: $40,000-43,500- commensurate with experience
- 9 Paid holidays and paid time off
- Work-related travel reimbursements
- Free tuition to all of our classes and workshops (some restrictions may apply)
Application Deadline: July 24, 2024
To apply send a resume and letter of interest to Executive Director, Alexis Campbell at executivedirector@hornfarmcenter.org
Educators (1099 Contractors)
Each year we host about 100 educational programs and events at the Horn Farm Center. We do so with the help of outside instructors, who bring their own experiences and expertise to our community at the farm.
As part of our mission to provide a diversity of educational experiences that connect people to the land, we are always looking to partner with new program instructors – even first-time teachers!
Instructors are paid for their time as 1099 contractors and teach a wide range of program topics that align with our values and mission, including:
- Sustainable Gardening Practices & Techniques
- Agroforestry – live staking, coppicing, fruit and nut tree production
- Natural Arts – basket weaving, natural dyes, fiber arts, paper making, etc.
- Homesteading – food preservation, natural building, animal husbandry, etc.
- Cooking Classes
- Natural or Local History
- Outdoor Wellness Activities – yoga, forest bathing, nature journaling
- Herbalism
To apply, fill out this application and someone will be in touch.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Horn Farm Center is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, citizenship, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, veteran status, genetic information, ancestry, and any other protected status.