Farm Manager I/S

MSU Careers Recent Jobs; Novi (MI); On-site; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University Extension is seeking a Farm Manager for the tollgate farm complex in Oakland County. The role leads daily farm operations, oversees facilities, equipment, and staff, and ensures safe, productive programming and events.

You will manage livestock and crops, coordinate maintenance, and work with tollgate leadership to plan operational systems. Regular outdoor work, evenings, and weekends are required; collaboration across southeast Michigan is expected.

Qualifications

• Knowledge equivalent to a four-year college degree in Animal Science, Crop Science, Agriculture, Facilities Management, Natural Resources, or related field.
• 1-3 years of supervisory or farm management experience; experience with livestock and crops is preferred.
• Experience operating tractors and agricultural equipment; valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and coordination for daily farm operations and oversee facilities, land, and equipment maintenance.
• Drive and operate farm vehicles and equipment; ensure safety and efficiency of operations.
• Order supplies and equipment to maintain inventory and support programming and events.
• Hire, supervise, schedule, and evaluate support staff; manage volunteers as needed.
• Maintain farm records and data; track maintenance and production data.
• Coordinate repairs, service schedules, and vendor relationships; ensure sites are ready for programs and rentals.
• Collaborate on strategic planning to improve efficiency, sustainability, and long-term site functionality.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision experience

Communication skills

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Agricultural knowledge

Education

Bachelors degree in Agriculture

Tools

Tractors

Agricultural equipment

Job description

Working/Functional Title

Farm Manager

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, which requires all staff to contribute toward a vision for success regardless of title or position within the organization. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.
• We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone.
• We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture.
• We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities.
• We recognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success, and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.

POSITION SUMMARY

Michigan State University (MSU) Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities, and businesses. For more than 100 years, MSU Extension has helped grow Michigan's economy by equipping Michigan residents with the information they need to do their jobs better, raise healthy and safe families, build their communities, and empower our children to dream of a successful future.

As part of MSU Extension and the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center (Tollgate) promotes food system awareness through exploring the sustainable, nutritional, and cultural aspects of agriculture and natural resources. This work is supported by a 160-acre working farm that serves as a demonstration site for agricultural production, environmental education, and public engagement.

As a key member of the Tollgate leadership team, you will provide comprehensive oversight of farm operations, facilities, equipment, and grounds. This includes managing the daily operations of a working educational farm and ensuring that all physical assets of the farm are maintained, safe, and fully functional to support educational programming, agricultural production, events, and community use. Responsibilities include coordinating facility readiness, maintaining cleanliness standards, and procuring equipment, supplies, and materials needed for operations. You will be required to complete the MSU Employee Driver Certification and successfully pass the MSU Motor Vehicle Record Review.

In this role, you will supervise and coordinate operations staff, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees as well as management of volunteers. Responsibilities include hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, assigning work, and evaluating performance. You will establish priorities, develop and implement work plans, and ensure effective staffing coverage and alignment across operational areas such as livestock support, crop production, facilities maintenance, and event readiness. You will also oversee the maintenance and safe operation of farm equipment and vehicles, including coordinating repairs, maintaining inventories and service schedules, troubleshooting issues, and training staff on proper use and operation. You will also coordinate facility maintenance, inspections, and contractor services; manage vendor relationships; and ensure sites are prepared for programs, rentals, and events.

In collaboration with the Tollgate Director, you will support strategic planning and implementation of operational systems that improve efficiency, sustainability, and long-term site functionality. Additional responsibilities include maintaining operational records, tracking maintenance activities, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements, and identifying and addressing operational risks.

The role requires strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, public-facing farm environment.

This position is based at MSU Tollgate Farm in Oakland County and requires regular outdoor work as well as evening and weekend hours to support farm operations, programs, and events. This position will also work in coordination with the Farm Manager at Discovery Oaks at Bower’s Farm to support the shared goals of the Food, Farm, and Managed Landscapes initiative across southeast Michigan.

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal. The position is non-union.

Characteristic Duties/ Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and coordination for day-to-day farm operations. Oversees care and maintenance of farm facilities, land, and equipment.
• Drives and operates farm vehicles and equipment.
• Orders supplies and equipment in order to maintain a working inventory.
• Interviews, hires, supervises, schedules, assigns and evaluates the support staff; resolves grievances and complaints.
• Maintains farm system records and data bases, records data and evaluates production records.
• Conducts tours of farms in order to promote public relations and provide information.
• Repairs and maintains buildings and equipment and fabricates special equipment.
• Maintains and cares for the livestock and crops.
• Prepares animals for scheduled programming.
• Markets crops and animals.
• Supports the farm breeding program and the crop program by working closely with the farm’s Livestock Coordinator and Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator.
• Manages the Extension activities for the farm.

Minimum Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Animal Science or Crop, Soil Science, Agriculture, Facilities Management, Natural Resources, or related field.
• One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in supervision, daily farm management within all the animal groups and knowledge of crops and farm equipment.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience operating tractors and agricultural equipment.
• Experience supervising staff or coordinating teams.
• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.
• Must complete the MSU Employee Driver Certification and successfully pass the MSU Motor Vehicle Record Review.
• Will require valid vehicle operator's license where needed to perform duties of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working on a teaching farm, research farm, or public agricultural site.
• Pest applicator certification. If candidate does not possess certification, professional development will be provided through MSU Extension to pursue this certification.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated skills and professional development from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Understand and support the Community, Food and Environment Institute’s efforts in culture, access, and belonging, with a special emphasis on reaching populations representative of the communities we serve, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status, socio-economic class and other human differences

• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, regulators, and industry partners.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills, and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural, and varied economic backgrounds and perspectives of the target population served.
• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently in an office or plant environment without daily supervision and/or coaching.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Current resume/CV.
• Cover letter.
• Four (4) professional references including at least two (2) prior or current supervisors.

Work Hours

Generally 40 hours Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends needed.

Description of End Date

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/R58M2-UM5MG?SI=QRA8RMSP

Summary of Physical Demands

Mildly disagreeable working conditions involving exposure to adverse weather conditions. The job requires heavy physical exertion and involves handling animals and lifting and moving equipment, hay and harvested crops of over 75 pounds up to 25% of the time.

Advertised: Oct 7, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Oct 27, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time