Director of Farm Operations

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); Sur place; USD 90 000 - 130 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Staff development fund

Staff recognition programs

University of Kentucky community focus

Résumé du poste

The University of Kentucky's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment seeks a Director of Farm Operations for the Horticulture Research Farm in Lexington, KY. The role will oversee vegetables, fruits, floriculture, nurseries, greenhouses and high tunnels, a 5-acre vineyard, and an Organic Farming Unit with a CSA program.

Start date is negotiable for January 1, 2027. The director will lead farm staff, manage facilities, and collaborate with faculty to advance sustainable

Qualifications

• MS Horticulture or closely related field is required.
• Documented leadership experience in agriculture or farm operations.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsabilités

• Direct farm operations and supervise staff and facilities.
• Oversee daily activities across vegetables, fruits, floriculture, nurseries, greenhouses and high tunnels.
• Manage 5-acre vineyard, 30-acre Organic Farming Unit with CSA, and a 5-acre fruit orchard.

Connaissances

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Communication

Team leadership

Formation

MS Horticulture or closely related

Description du poste

Required License/Registration/Certification

Driver’s License

Physical Requirements

Heavy lifting, bending; standing/sitting for long periods of time. Extreme weather conditions.

Shift

Mon- Fri 8:00am – 5:00pm (may vary) Requires evenings/weekends/holiday as necessary for emergencies, research and events.

Job Summary

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Department of Horticulture (http://www.uky.edu/hort/) seeks a Director of Farm Operations for the Horticulture Research Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. The expected start date, which is negotiable, is January 1, 2027.

Horticulture is a vibrant and growing sector of Kentucky agriculture, providing farmers with high-value crops and communities with nutritious fruits and vegetables and attractive landscapes. With an emphasis on sustainability and food as health, the Department of Horticulture seeks an individual with exceptional farming, leadership, and management skills to oversee its nationally recognized, 105-acre research farm. The farm supports research, extension, and education in sustainable horticulture and facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration to investigate, demonstrate, and communicate practices that strengthen community food systems and horticultural enterprises. Its overarching goal is to provide an environment where faculty, staff, and students can make scientific breakthroughs that advance horticultural production systems.

About the Role

The Director of Farm Operations will manage farm staff and facilities and oversee daily operations involving vegetables, fruits, floriculture, nursery crops, greenhouses and high tunnels, a 5-acre research vineyard and winery, a 30-acre certified Organic Farming Unit with a Community Supported Agriculture ( CSA ) program (https://csa.mgcafe.uky.edu) that provides experiential learning opportunities, and a 5-acre fruit orchard at another central KY UK research farm on the north side of Lexington. This position reports to the Chair of the Department of Horticulture.

Why Join Us

At the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, you’ll find a community that values collaboration, growth, and recognition. Benefits of joining our team include:

• Access to a staff development fund for continued learning and skill building
• Dedicated staff recognition programs that celebrate your contributions
• A shared commitment to making the University of Kentucky the University of, for, and with Kentucky

Join us in shaping the future of teaching and learning—where innovation meets impact.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Candidates should possess interpersonal skills that facilitate working with a variety of audiences including faculty, staff, students, administrators, and public stakeholders. Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, and a commitment to high-quality research, extension and education are required. The individual should demonstrate the ability to function as a team leader as well as within a team and to communicate effectively.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

MS Horticulture or closely related. Experience in an agriculture-related field, including documented leadership experience. The ideal candidate possesses outstanding farming, leadership and management skills, including a holistic knowledge of farm management, from conventional to organic systems, and demonstrated accomplishments in production agriculture.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 11/30/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.