Temporary Production Manager - Student Organic Farm
This is a 6-month temporary position from May 2, 2022 to November 18, 2022
Overview
The University of Minnesota student organic farm (SOF) is located on the St. Paul campus. This resource provides undergraduate students with opportunities to gain knowledge and skills necessary to produce and market certified organic horticultural crops as part of a sustainable food system. The Interim SOF Production Manager will be responsible for managing farm operations for the 2022 growing season. This is a full-time, temporary, 6-month seasonal position. This position carries complete University benefits. This position will be responsible for the overall planning, production and marketing of crops, budget management, and supervision of undergraduate students. The temporary manager will collaborate with numerous individuals across the University of Minnesota to accomplish the mission of the SOF.
Duties/Responsibilities
(70%) Field and greenhouse management will include conducting all operations necessary for organic horticultural crop production. Activities include planning of the production season, oversight of day-to-day farm operations including equipment, facilities, and land in collaboration with Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) staff; and maintenance of appropriate harvest and post-harvest approaches. Maintain a high standard of production and physical presence appropriate for a public-facing educational farm.
(15%) Student management and training activities will include leading, organizing, and supervising, recruiting, and training a team of undergraduate student apprentices. Candidate will supervise student work in the spring and summer apprenticeship program, as well as coordinate volunteer, undergraduate research, or service-learning students. Candidate will create a standard operating procedures manual to guide apprentices in farm management activities, and design appropriate systems to manage seasonal work crew.
(10%) Communication and farm business operations duties will include regular communication with clients/buyers and farm administrative staff and tasks needed to maintain and grow sales using innovative ideas and practices. Budget management is critical to the success of the farm. Candidate will efficiently, effectively and transparently manage the farm budget, together with the farm leadership team; develop and communicate short & long-term plans and strategies for farm sustainability.
(5%) University relations and outreach programming duties will include developing a system for reservations and co-hosting campus visits including field days, farm tours as well as being present for select activities such as class visits and college recruitment activities.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in horticulture or a related field, or a combination of education and experience related to organic fruit and vegetable production to total 4 years
Preferred:
- Organic farming experience, including production planning and budget management
- Experience serving in a managerial or supervisory role
- Skills in mechanized/field production, including tillage, planting, and cultivation
- Experience growing annual crop seedlings in greenhouse environments
- Experience in post-harvest processes, food safety, and marketing of organic crops
- Experience in undergraduate mentorship and education
- Demonstrated excellence in organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills
Special requirements
This position will entail working in greenhouses and outside under varying climatic conditions. It will require operating farm/field tools and equipment and applying organically approved inputs. Bending, kneeling, standing, and lifting up to 40 pounds will be required on a regular basis. A valid driver’s license is required to operate farm machinery and university vehicles.
Submit applications through the UMN Employment Portal