Farm/greenhouse Operations Manager

**JOB SUMMARY**:
Experience working in a greenhouse, vegetable garden, or farm environment with a deep understanding of permaculture principles, and a passion for sustainable agriculture is required.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**GREENHOUSE/MARKET GARDEN**
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the greenhouse, including watering, fertilizing, and pruning plants
- Manage **all aspects of the greenhouse operations**, including planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops
- **Develop and implement a crop plan** based on permaculture principles, including crop rotation, companion planting, and soil building techniques
- Work with the farm manager to develop and **implement a permaculture plan for the farm**:

- **Monitor and control pests** and diseases using organic methods
- Manage the greenhouse budget, including **ordering supplies and materials** as needed
- **Hire, train, schedule, and manage staff** to ensure the smooth operation of the farm
- **Coordinate with other farm departments** to ensure that greenhouse crops are used in farm products such as CSA shares, value-added products, and events
- **Maintain records** of greenhouse operations and prepare reports as needed
- **Keep up to date** with industry trends and innovations, and incorporate new techniques and technologies into greenhouse operations
- Transferring field notes, treatments, yields, and records into **farm management software**:

- Establishing and maintaining **up-to-date price list** of crops
- **Tool Maintenance** - Storing, cleaning, sharpening, etc.
- **Irrigation** - Setup, use and maintenance of irrigation equipment
- **Crop planning **- Seed Orders, Crop Quantity, Bed Location, Seedling Start Date, Planting/Transplanting Dates, Expected Harvest Dates. Crop planning needs to be done to accommodate weekly harvests of 8-12 items for CSA baskets starting the first week of June. First crops should be ready for harvest mid-May. Greenhouse peppers are started from seed in January and Tomatoes in February.
- **Soil Health & Field Management** - Compost, Fertilizers, soil testing, PH levels, Cover Crops, Silage Tarps, Weed Management, etc.)
- **Insect, Pest, & Disease Management** - Organic/Bio Insecticides/Pesticides, Insect Netting, Crop Rotation, etc.
- **Harvest and Packaging** - Wash station setup and operation, Harvest dates and crop specific procedures for washing, drying, packaging, storage temperatures, and duration
- **Assist in the development and implementation of the marketing plan** for greenhouse products, including direct sales, farmers’ markets, and wholesale accounts
- **Attend Farmers Markets **to sell produce and build relationships

**FARM/RANCH OPERATIONS**
- Conduct **regular inspections** of the farm/ranch to identify and address any issues that may impact production or safety.
- Develop and maintain **relationships with suppliers, buyers**, and other stakeholders in the agriculture industry.
- **Help ranch** and farm tend to livestock (horses, cows, pigs, and chickens)
- Ensure the ranching facilities and equipment are operating efficiently. Focus must extend beyond just caring for the animals as it needs to include **managing the farm structures, resources, and equipment** (i.e. water hydrants, tractors, ATV, feeders, stalls, etc.)
- On a limited basis; oversee or **assist with ‘Ranch Hand’ duties**. Throughout their workday, ranch hands might perform several important responsibilities, including:

- _Cleaning stalls, pens and other ranch buildings and facilities_
- _Grooming, trimming or shearing livestock to ensure wellness _
- _Examining animals for illnesses, injuries or other ailments_
- _Driving trucks and tractors to transport goods and distribute feed and seeds_
- _Inspecting and maintaining ranching equipment and vehicles_
- _Herding livestock to pastures for grazing and exercise_
- _Performing landscape maintenance, such as weed control and snowplowing_
- _Ordering food for animals and managing the ranch's overall inventory_
- Oversee the planning and execution of crop and livestock production, including planting, harvesting, and animal care
- Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and industry standards
- Develop and implement strategies to maximize efficiency and profitability of the farm
- Maintain accurate records of all garden, greenhouse, farm, and ranch activities, including production and financial data
- Manage budgets and financial planning for the farm
- Additional duties as assigned

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agriculture or related field, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience managing greenhouse operations
- 5+ years of experience in farm/ranch management.
- Strong knowledge of crop and livestock production, as well as farm/ranch equipment and facilities.
- Proficiency with computers and farm management software
- Experience managing staff, budgets, and financial planning.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skil