FILLED: Interim Farm Manager: Common Ground Urban Farm

Thanks for your interest. This position has been filled. Please see our Join Our Staff page for current openings.

Common Ground employs an experienced farmer to manage our urban farm. We are seeking to fill an interim Farm Manager position to manage our agricultural commitments through October 2016.

The Farm Manager is responsible for overseeing both vegetable production, animal yards, and compost operation, as well as coordinating the distribution of farm products to Common Ground’s various constituencies. The Farm Manager also coordinates the work of volunteers, interns, Green Job Corps students, and school classes.

The interim farm manager will oversee distribution of produce to (in order of volume):

• CitySeed Mobile Market (July-Oct)
• Seasonal on-site Farm Stand (July-Aug)
• CG school cafeteria (Sept through available harvest)
• School Garden Share Program/CSA (September-October)
• Special events (Feast from the Fields)

The interim farm manger is responsible for supervising:

• Assistant farm manager
• Seasonal farm interns, 3 at 20 hrs/week through August
• Green Jobs Corps Students (July, Sept-Nov)

Garden Management

The “lower garden/production garden” is the heart of the farm that is maintained for production and to accommodate educational programs. The cultivated area of our farm is approximately 3/4 acre with additional animal yards, 6 greenhouses, sheds and outbuildings. Our farm follows organic standards and emphasizes overall sustainability, but we are not certified organic.

Duties include:

• Implementing current crop plan including, greenhouse propagation, planting, weeding, harvesting, irrigating, soil amendment, and all other farm tasks.
• Coordinate and oversee the distribution of farm production to end-users.
• Maintain garden and animal infrastructure (irrigation, fences, tool repair, greenhouses…) for safety, fair access and aesthetics as needed.
• Maintain records of yield, distribution, financial, etc. for annual reports, grants, and general good practice.

Animal Management

On average the farm manages 1 goat (pet) , 3 sheep (wool production), a flock of laying hens for eggs, seasonal broiler production, and 3 aged ducks (pets).

Duties include:

• Ordering all supplies, feed, bedding, etc.
• Keep flocks safe and healthy, coordinating Veterinary appointments as necessary.
• Keep yards clean and safe, handle mucking, filling feed cans, waters.
• Manage and market eggs with student groups. (Environmental Ventures)
• Work with Executive Director to create calendar for weekend chore coverage.

Education and Engagement oversight

The farm is run as an educational program. The majority of participants have no farm or garden experience. The Interim Farm Manager will work with the Environmental Leadership Coordinator and the Assistant Farm Manager to integrate education with farm work and production as time allows.

Decisions will be made as to which programs to run in the fall. These education Programs can include:

• Weekly Spanish and French class
• Environmental ventures after school program
• Coordinating with teachers’ use of the farm for special projects/research.
• Green Jobs Corp Fall Crew

Additional Responsibilities

• Fall Seedlings Sale – Propagate and market seedling for Fall seedling sale, August 13^th.
• Communicate with Outreach and Marketing Staff to share farm activities,
• Prepare monthly reports on the status of the Farm for the Common Ground Management Team and Board.

Job Schedule

This is a full time, 40-45hrs/week, position with the option to apply for a year-round position. This position requires weekend work.

Position Length: Position will begin as soon as position filled through October/November.

Qualifications and Compensation

Minimum qualifications for this position are:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience working in small scale, sustainable managed vegetable production from annual planning and seed ordering to all aspects of caring for the farm through the growing season
• Experience working with small livestock (poultry, goats, sheep, pigs).
• Experience managing the distribution and sale of farm products (CSA, wholesale, farmer’s markets, etc)
• Experience with educating and supervising workers on the farm (volunteers, interns, staff, students, etc)
• Excellent administrative, communication and organizational skills
• A strong work ethic and the ability to work independently, with minimal oversight
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

Compensation: Commensurate with Experience

Position Type: Full time with benefits.

To Apply

Application deadline: Open until filled; interviews will be conducted in May and June.

Send a resume and a cover letter describing your relevant experience to: Betsy Sneath, bsneath@commongroundct.org.

Common Ground is particularly eager for candidates who help us fulfill our commitment to building a racially and culturally diverse staff.

It is the policy of the New Haven Ecology Project, Inc. and Common Ground High School to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to age, color, marital status, civil union status, national origin, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender in all personnel actions, including recruitment, evaluation, selection, daily interactions, promotion, compensation, training and termination.