Main Street Farms Field Manager
Farm Description
Main Street Farms is a diversified organic vegetable farm located in Cortland, NY serving a CSA, farmers market, and wholesale customers. We have 30 acres in vegetables, 20 acres in cover crops and plenty of land to keep expanding on. As a farm, our passion is to help bring sustainable, local, and organic produce to as many people as possible by expanding our CSA program to run year-round and increase our wholesale sales to large volume buyers. As a rapidly expanding business we are looking for a motivated individual to help us manage our fields as we scale up to reach these goals.
We are a close knit team. We have a farm chef that prepares lunch for our crew everyday and we sit and take the time to eat together and enjoy our farm bounty. Our crew members are passionate about sustainable farming and the local food system. We work together to make our farm more efficient and provide our community with the best quality produce possible.
Job Description
We are looking for a dedicated individual with a commercial farming background. Top candidates will bring new skills and knowledge in sustainable vegetable production and a strong motivation to enhance our practices and refine our systems to become more streamlined and efficient. Candidates with previous field management experience on large, diversified, organic, vegetable farms will be best suited to the position.
Description: The Field Manager’s primary responsibility is to oversee all matters related to field production like tillage, plastic laying, planting, cultivating, spraying and row cover. In the early spring the field manager will work closely with the farm owner for planning the field layout, as well as planning seeding, transplanting, cover cropping and rough harvest calendars. The Field Manager will be expected to scout for pests, diseases, fertility, and quality issues and communicate these with the farm owner. Additionally, they will be responsible for maintaining all equipment and making sure it is functioning before and during the growing season. During the summer and fall the Field Manager will spend most of their time operating and maintaining equipment, and assisting in farm operations as needed. The Field Manager will also be consulted when it comes to system changes, equipment purchases, and ideas to increase farm efficiencies and profits.
Mandatory qualifications: applicants must possess ALL of the following:
+2 years management experience
+3 seasons of running equipment for an outdoor vegetable farm on a commercial scale (5+ acres minimum, +20 acres preferred)
Excellent verbal communication skills
High level of organization
Excellent problem solving skills
Basic skills in Google Docs and spreadsheets
Basic welding and carpentry skills
Our perspective: Farm work is inherently variable and multifaceted, requiring farmers to be flexible, creative, and motivated about the task at hand and changing conditions. The most qualified candidates will bring enthusiasm and energy for our outdoor lifestyle, as well as a heaping dose of humor, positivity, and good spirits in the face of challenges. During the summer season, work at MSF can be fast paced and changes quickly. Qualified candidates must be able to find solutions to problems independently and efficiently. The field manager has broad responsibilities and a high degree of freedom to accomplish weekly tasks. Candidates that require a lot of direction and prefer a very structured work environment are not well suited to this position, while candidates that possess confidence, a can-do attitude, and an entrepreneurial spirit are highly successful.
Compensation: this position is paid at an hourly rate of $15. However, after the first year we will consider changing this into a year round salaried position between $30-40K
Apply by January 5
Start Date: Mid-March
Our growing season ends in late November, however this position could be year round if applicant is interested in doing equipment, greenhouse, and farming maintenance over the winter.
To apply, send resume and cover letter to help@mainstreetfarms.com.
Please answer the following questions:
What farming experience do you have?
What was the size in acres of vegetable production on each of the farms that you worked on?
What kind of tractors do you have experience driving?
What kind of cultivating tractors do you have experience driving?
Why are you passionate about the local food system?