Assistant Farm Manager

New Roots Community Farm

Assistant Farm Manager

Job Description

NRCF Overview: In concert with federal, state, and local partners working to strengthen and diversify Central Appalachia’s economy, New Roots Community Farm (NRCF) is cultivating an ag-entrepreneurial ecosystem that is giving rise to a vibrant local foods economy in the New River Gorge region of Southern West Virginia. Established outside of the Town of Fayetteville in 2019 through leadership from the Fayette County Farmland Protection Board, NRCF is an 82-acre diversified specialty crop farm that provides producers in Fayette, Raleigh, Summers, and Nicholas counties with on-farm training that demonstrates regenerative techniques to increase production capacity and meet the demands of emerging markets.

Overview

We are  looking for a self-directed, motivated, and experienced person to join our farm team in its fifth season of production at NRCF near Fayetteville, West Virginia. This community farm model engages in sustainable agriculture production of specialty crops; offers training opportunities, develops markets for regional producers. This project will strengthen relationships between producers and consumers, as well as feature opportunities to engage community members, students, and tourists in farm activities and workshops.

The Assistant Farm Manager will work with the entire NRCF team including Executive Director, Program Director, Program Coordinator, Farm Market Manager, and Americorps Service Members. The farm team will consist of a Farm Manager and two Assistant Farm Managers. It will also include 2 seasonal apprentices and two 8 week interns. They will work with the Farm Team to conduct day to day operations for a two and a half-acre intensive vegetable production system that includes some small fruit, orchard, and flower production. Infrastructure at the farm includes an 8’ high fixed knot deer fence, a 36’ x 48’ building that includes a farm store, tool storage, office space, cold storage, an attached area for vegetable washing, and four high tunnels. The Assistant Farm Manager will work directly with our other Farm Manager to manage and execute all activities required to run a successful production farm, that meets sales goals and demonstrates best practices for agro ecology and farm business. The production farm will provide a space to conduct training and demonstration activities as articulated in grant agreements. The Farm is expected to reach sales targets of over $156,000 in 2024.

The emphasis for this Assistant Farm Manager will be on facilities and grounds maintenance, as well as tool and equipment maintenance.They will lead the development of Standard Operating Procedures for those activities and support training other staff on those protocols. This role will also engage in all production activities, support on farm events, workshops, and training, as well as the design and implementation of the NRCF apprenticeship and internship program.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate in completing and managing activities for all on-farm agricultural production systems included in NRCF’s 2.5 ac intensive vegetable operation
• Create and maintain operation plan encompassing tool and equipment, grounds, and facilities maintenance
• Support maintenance of NRCF’s Farm Operation and Production Plan encompassing soil health, crop mapping and rotation, nursery and greenhouse operations,, and all crop maintenance activities such as nutrient management, pest management, and cultivation.
• Support coordination and determination of product availability as well as availability for niche wholesale markets
• Support management of small fruit and orchard production
• Regular Farm Market Shift
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and maintain a safe working environment
• Support the development and management of the annual farm operational budget
• Assist in purchase of supplies, equipment, and negotiation of contracts as necessary
• Assist in development and implementation of a whole-farm plan
• Support execution of training programs for farmers in keeping with grant deliverables;
• Maintain and improve on farm infrastructure;
• Support supervision of farm apprentices, interns, and volunteers and delegate work accordingly;
• Maintain all facilities including lawn areas

Desired Qualifications

• 3+ years of vegetable/specialty crop farming experience
• 2+ years of small engine, tractor, or car maintenance
• 2+ years managing people
• Proficiency in Google Suite

This is a full-time, salaried position with some weekend hours required and flexible work schedules. The annual compensation will be between $37,000-40,000 based on experience. The position also includes a monthly health care stipend, paid time off, and mileage and expense reimbursement. Other benefits include NRCF produce, farm market discount and annual workwear stipend. The work will take place at our office and farm located in Fayetteville, WV. A much smaller percentage of the work may be completed remotely. The nature of this job requires flexibility, but we respect our team’s time-off and, under typical work conditions, the work should not exceed 40 hours per week. The Assistant Farm Manager will report to the Farm Manager.

Please send your resume to susanna@newrootscommunityfarm.com.

New Roots Community Farm is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $37,000.00 - $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Fayetteville, WV 25840: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person