Farm General Manager

AOOA Farm Manager

(full time & permanent)

All For One One For All (AOOA) is a 14 acre non-profit regenerative silvopasture farm, farm stand, education center and soon restaurant in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley. The name of the farm is inspired by the famous proclamation in Alexandre Dumas’ Three Musketeers, which captures the heart of the project: to stand up for what is right and enrich our local communities, together. Through responsible farming practices, community workshops, a bountiful and biodiverse harvest, and delicious goods, AOOA aims to promote a rich local food culture, build a connected and more resilient community, and do its part to contribute to a healthier planet.

Job Description

The AOOA Farm is a full-time position with hourly pay commensurate with experience starting at $27/hour. Benefits include 401k, health insurance, NY state PTO and sick days, and a farm goods discount. We are seeking an enthusiastic, collaborative, and skilled farmer and leader to join our team as our Farm Manager, who is responsible for overall management and overseeing of the farm as well as developing its future, caring for farm facilities and expanding its educational setting.

Overall, the Farm Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the farm operates with the highest standards of efficiency and quality that are practical within the context of the realities and will have a heavy hand in coordinating many aspects of the farm as well as lending a helping hand in the varied sectors of the farm (including vegetables, flowers, and livestock) but also can tackle grants, research projects, community outreach, educational programing, and aid in developing future aspects of the farm. 

The work schedule is generally Tuesday through Saturday during the main season (April through November), with some weekend work needed occasionally and flexibility required depending on the weather and workload. There may be long days working as a team to complete timely tasks. It will be the Farm Manager’s role, after an initial on-boarding period, to determine the work schedule both for themselves and for the crew, balancing the needs of the farm with individuals’ personal needs and well-being. Composing a yearly farm calendar and working on 2023 farm goals with the director is the first order of business. We are extremely flexible during the off season.

The ideal candidate has at least 10 years of farming experience and has deep knowledge around market gardens, holistic orchard management, livestock management with sheep, and/or education. We are looking for someone who is driven, experienced, reliable; has the ability to develop efficient workflows; implement clear and transparent operational procedures; is a great communicator, motivational, caring, and passionate; promotes a safe and enjoyable work environment for all staff, trainees, educators, and guests; and is committed and excited about building a stellar farm and team. The intention of working at least two full seasons is required.

Essential Duties

• Works and coordinates with Livestock Manager, Orchard Manager, Farm Stand Chef, Vegetable Farmer and Project Director to formulate a yearly farm plan
• Works with Director to establish farm and farm extension yearly goals
• Develops and tends to market gardens: plants, tends, weeds, mulches, prunes/trellises, fertilizes, manages pests and diseases, harvests, and propagates productive gardens
• Follows organic practices, oversees day-to-day operations of farm production including cultivation, transplant production, soil/pest/disease management, harvest and post-harvest handling, cover cropping, and composting
• Establishes inventory systems
• Establishes standard operating procedures  
• Oversees development of additional production fields in accordance with NRCS Conservation Plan and organic standards
• Maintains farm's physical appearance so that it is presentable to the public at all times
• Farm equipment and facilities upkeep, maintenance, management, and procurement including tractors, grounds, and other tillage equipment, greenhouses, tunnel, and irrigation systems to ensure continuity of farm operations
• Tends and extends wildflower meadow areas
• Maintains and enhances habitat for beneficial wildlife as part of a conservation biocontrol strategy
• Manages spray program in compliance with the Worker Protection Standard
• Ameliorates and develops version 2.0 of Farm Stand and self-serve
• Starts farm CSA program
• Identifies infrastructure needs and works with AOOA staff to execute
• Creates tasks and manages volunteers and interns
• Refines intern management program
• Applies and obtains organic and other certifications, or keeps records in anticipation of future certification applications
• Participates and develops in farm tours, field days and workshops
• Aids in farm programming (educational workshops, volunteer days, etc.)
• Promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices
• Operates tractors and equipment safely and effectively

Big Picture Responsibilities:

• Using sustainable growing practices, steward a productive urban farm and implement, direct and coordinate all necessary farming duties 
• Set and meet goals for providing fresh, nutrient-dense produce to Farm Stand and its kitchen
• Records data accurately and provide reports to Project Director and AOOA team as needed
• Assists in development of annual farm plan and budget to include crop plan, rotation, and succession planning schedule
• Preparing budgets and analyzing operations, crops, and financial documents to creatively and constantly streamline efficiencies. Ability to consider various revenue streams and adapt to changing market needs.
• Processing, distribution and marketing of produce through on-farm sales, seasonal CSAs and Saturday farmers’ markets.
• Supervise 2-4 part time/seasonal farm and garden employees and interns
• Plan, manage, and teach educational programs about sustainable urban agricultural practices and food systems for employees, local school students, community members and groups, volunteers and staff
• Develops and coordinates with neighbors, community garden network, and other local community partners to execute community building events and vision long term for the farmEstablish and maintain partnerships with other community organizations such as SUNY students, food access groups, BOCES, etc.
• Conducts seasonal equipment proficiency assessments for all people using equipment and provides proper training where knowledge is lacking, develops culture of empowerment and continuing education for staff
• Reaches out for relevant research opportunities and grants
• Proposes, helps develop initiatives and new programs that contribute to AOOA’s mission

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of sustainable production farming experience, including:
• Strong understanding of agricultural practices, crop planning, crop rotation, soil management, soil science and general ecological principles
• Expertise in balancing physical labor, administrative duties, and planning/guiding farm expansion
• Interest and experience with running market gardens, managing orchards holistically, or livestock management of sheep.
• 10+ years of teaching and educational experience in an ecological or farm setting
• Ability to organize and run youth and adult workshops and volunteer programs paid and volunteer programming
• Demonstrated community engagement/organizing experience
• Desired personal characteristics: 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational and computer skills
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Positive attitude, and solution-oriented
• Committed to AOOA’s mission and building a lovely and productive farm and healthy work environment
• Physical Requirements:
• Willingness to work in all weather conditions. 
• Capacity to lift up to 70 lbs.
• Availability:
• Ability to work some late afternoons, early evenings, and weekends