Culinary Gardener / Farm Manager

Farm Job Search; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site housing

Job summary

Grandview Farms in Mt Hamilton, CA seeks an experienced Farm Manager to run year-round operations, manage relationships with restaurant chefs, and oversee a half-acre of vegetables and half-acre orchard with a small flock of hens.

The role requires creativity, efficiency, and strong organization, with on-site housing provided. Potential expansion into beekeeping, viticulture, and other side projects exists.

Qualifications

• Experience on a diversified vegetable farm is required.
• Minimum of one year of farm management experience is required.
• Experience in greenhouse and raising seedlings is required.
• Experience in irrigation and landscape maintenance.
• Experience with fruit orchard pruning and maintenance including dormant spraying, fruit thinning, irrigation, pest and weed management.
• Valid California Driver’s License and a clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Meet with chefs and owners to determine desired, seasonal crops and communicate regularly.
• Create an annual crop plan with updates for chefs/restaurants about planned crops.
• Ensure produce is grown, harvested, and stored for high quality and taste.
• Follow naturally grown or organic production guidelines.
• Estimate yield of crops ready for harvest and send a bi-weekly fresh-list.
• Maintain planting, production & harvest records.
• Oversee irrigation systems and soil fertility management.
• Manage a small flock of 50 laying hens.
• Operate and repair irrigation equipment and a compact tractor.
• Live on site in a 3 bed 2 bath home.

Skills

Creative thinking

Self-motivation

Organization

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate degree in horticulture or related field

Tools

Tractor operation

Job description

Culinary Gardener / Farm Manager (6341)

Location: Mt. Hamilton, California

JobNumber: 6341

Grandview Farms is a one acre, highly diversified, organically grown (non certified) operation dedicated to supplying restaurants in the San Jose area. The farm specializes in ½ acres of diversified vegetables, ½ acre of orchard, and raising laying hens. It also doubles as an outdoor event venue and features a rustic banquet hall.

We are looking for an experienced Farm Manager to be responsible for keeping the grounds running at full production, 12 months out of the year, and managing close relationships with each chef at all restaurant locations. Produce must be of high quality and delivered on-time.

The Farm Manager must be creative and efficient, self-motivated, and highly organized. A successful candidate will have experience with small to medium-scale production and have a passion for growing produce. There is potential for expansion in regard to the area cultivated, the amount of chickens raised, and other side projects such as beekeeping, viticulture, etc…

Compensation:

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and or living accommodations.

Education, Experience & Qualifications:

RESPONSIBILITIES

Candidate will manage and operate ½ acre of vegetables both in-ground and raised beds and a young, ½ acre orchard containing various stone fruit, olive trees, table grapes and citrus. Must be capable of and experienced in crop planning, greenhouse management, seeding, raising transplants, planting, cultivation, fertilizing, weeding, irrigation, harvesting and post-harvest processing. Keeping the farm looking tidy, attractive and inviting for farm venue events and tours is of high importance. Living on site (3 bed 2 bath home) is required.

Duties:

• Meet with chefs and/or owners to determine desired, seasonal crops, communicating clearly and regularly
• Create an annual crop plan with regular updates for the chefs and restaurants about what is coming down the pipeline
• Ensure produce is grown, harvested, and stored for excellent taste and high-quality product
• Understand and follow naturally grown or organic production guidelines
• Estimate yield of crops ready for harvest and send a bi-weekly fresh-list
• Maintain planting, production & harvest records
• Keep beds fully planted at all times.
• Manage soil fertility (organic fertilizer, crop rotation, and compost program)
• Monitor and control pests
• Keep the grounds as weed-free as possible using hand cultivation methods
• Operate, implement and repair irrigation systems
• Manage and oversee wellness of a small flock (50) of laying hens
• Safely operate a compact tractor, BCS, utility vehicle, and riding mower
• Order seed, feed, and farm supplies in a timely manner
• Manage 1 regular crew member and additional crew members should they be necessary
• Ensure food safety standards
• Must be physically capable of working long days and lifting 50+ lbs
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized environment for staff and visitors
• Maintain all landscape on and around designated farm areas and farm venue, promoting biodiversity by selecting pollinator and edible plants whenever possible

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working on a diversified vegetable farm required
• Minimum of one year of farm management experience required
• Previous work in greenhouse and raising seedlings required
• Experience in irrigation, and landscape maintenance
• Previous work experience with fruit orchard pruning and maintenance, including dormant spraying, fruit thinning, irrigation, pest and weed management
• Previous experience with tractor and small engine equipment operation desirable.
• Previous experience managing chickens desirable.
• Valid California Driver’s License and a clean driving record.
• Minimum of one year of farm management experience required
• Previous work in greenhouse and raising seedlings required
• Valid California Driver’s License and a clean driving record.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working on a diversified vegetable farm required
• Experience in irrigation, and landscape maintenance
• Previous work experience with fruit orchard pruning and maintenance, including dormant spraying, fruit thinning, irrigation, pest and weed management
• Previous experience with tractor and small engine equipment operation desirable.
• Previous experience managing chickens desirable.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s or Associate degree in horticulture or related field preferred

SKILLS

The Farm Manager must be creative and efficient, self-motivated, and highly organized.

A passion for growing produce.