Field Manager

The Farmhand Foundation; Ojai (CA); On-site; USD 68,880 - 89,544; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly rate of $50 – $65

Flexible schedule

Opportunities for professional development

Job summary

A leading agricultural organization located in California seeks a Field Manager to implement farm plans aligned with ecological vision and production goals. This role requires a hands-on leader with extensive experience in small-scale farming. Ideal candidates will possess strong organizational skills, an understanding of ecological farming, and the ability to manage teams effectively. The position offers flexible hours and opportunities for professional development in regenerative agriculture.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in small-scale and/or diversified cropping systems.
• Preferred familiarity with Ojai Valley’s microclimates and water systems.
• Bonus: experience with farm plans and agritourism.

Responsibilities

• Execute annual and seasonal farm plans with leadership.
• Manage irrigation systems and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Supervise and train farmhands or volunteers during peak seasons.

Skills

Hands-on experience in small-scale cropping systems

Knowledge of irrigation systems

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Ability to lead and train teams

Listening skills

Job description

Moon + Oaks Farm is a biodiverse landscape, rooted in the Ojai Valley. We restore soil health, strengthen water and carbon cycles, and create resilient habitats that support both ecological and community well‑being. Our mission is to demonstrate true profit—a model of prosperity measured not only in financial returns but in ecosystem health, cultural vitality, and generational resilience. Moon + Oaks serves as a gathering place for learning, connection, and ecological literacy, demonstrating that farming can heal the land, nourish people, and foster abundance for generations to come.

The Field Manager implements the farm plan and ensures daily operations reflect Moon + Oaks’ ecological vision, purpose, and production goals. This role leads seasonal crews, executes work plans, and maintains high‑quality, timely work across cropping, livestock, and infrastructure systems.

This hands‑on leadership role is ideal for someone with strong practical farming skills and an understanding of ecological systems. The Field Manager helps Moon + Oaks grow as both a productive farm and a gathering place—one that cultivates learning, connection, and nourishment while demonstrating how farming can benefit the earth and feed generations to come.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute the annual, seasonal, and weekly farm plans developed in collaboration with leadership.
• Plan and implement crop rotations, planting schedules, grazing moves, and harvest plans.
• Maintain all pollinator headrows at the direction of the Thriving Ecosystems Director.
• Manage irrigation systems and water conservation strategies in compliance with Ventura County regulations.
• Manage integrated pest management strategies in compliance with organic requirements.
• Ensure tasks are performed efficiently, safely, and in alignment with regenerative principles.
• Adapt workflows to changing conditions (weather, pest pressure, equipment issues) within established decision‑making parameters.
• Maintain tools, tractors, and farm infrastructure.
• Coordinate with the Executive Director on seasonal planning, budgets, and priorities.
• Supervise and train 1–3 farmhands or volunteers during peak season.
• Coordinate daily and weekly task lists to meet production goals.
• Foster a positive and safety‑conscious work culture.
• Train new employees in regenerative field practices, farm safety, equipment use, and quality standards.
• Work closely with the Thriving Ecosystems Director to ensure field practices support soil health, biodiversity, habitat enhancement, and ecosystem monitoring goals.
• Coordinate with the Regenerative Business Director to meet production targets, quality standards, and market needs.
• In partnership with the Regenerative Business Director, support marketing and sales through communication with farm stand, restaurant, and market customers.
• Provide regular updates, observations, and recommendations from the field to support strategic planning.
• Participate in collaborative planning sessions, offering operational insights from on‑ground experience.
• Maintain positive relationships with other growers and producers in the county.

Infrastructure & Equipment

• Oversee maintenance and basic repairs on tools, irrigation systems, fencing, and farm vehicles and implements.
• Ensure all equipment is used safely and stored properly.
• Identify repair or replacement needs and communicate them to leadership.

Recordkeeping & Monitoring

• Maintain daily logs for planting, harvesting, grazing, inputs, and field conditions.
• Contribute data for ecological monitoring and business planning (yields, labor hours, inputs, environmental indicators).
• Support compliance with organic, regenerative, or other certification programs if applicable.

Record Keeping & Compliance

• Maintain farm production, water use, and input logs for organic and eventually regenerative certification.
• Track yields, seed inventory, and input costs.
• Ensure compliance with CDFA, Cal/OSHA, and local environmental regulations.
• Track operational spending to ensure farm activities stay within budget.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of hands‑on experience in small‑scale and/or diversified cropping systems (orchards, agroforestry, row crop vegetables, integrated livestock, etc.).
• Knowledge of irrigation systems, financial planning, and regenerative practices.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and train small teams effectively.
• Physically able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to listen deeply.
• Preferred: familiarity with Ojai Valley’s microclimates and water systems.
• Bonus: experience with farm plans, running profitable farms, farmers markets, crop harvesting and agritourism.

Preferred

• Experience with multi‑enterprise farms (mixed vegetables, livestock, perennials, agroforestry, etc.).
• Familiarity with ecological monitoring, soil health metrics, or adaptive grazing.
• Experience with on‑farm data collection or farm management software.
• Experience with seed production a plus.
• Equipment (Tractor, Trailer) also a plus.

Workstyle + Values

• A collaborative mindset grounded in respect, humility and curiosity.
• Commitment to ecological stewardship and community‑centered agriculture.
• Comfort working within a leadership‑defined plan while contributing thoughtful field‑level feedback.
• Interest in continuous learning around regenerative farming, ecosystems, and business innovation.
• Hourly rate: $50 – $65/hour.
• Flexible schedule with seasonal variation.
• Opportunities for professional development in regenerative agriculture and agritourism.

Interested

Please send your resume and cover letter to: [e-mail].
Want to learn more about Farmhand Foundation, visit us: www.farmhandfoundation.org/