Head Grower

Johnson'S Backyard Garden; Garfield (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

JBG Organic seeks an experienced Head Grower to manage scouting, spraying, cultivation, and weed control on our 184-acre organic farm just outside Austin, TX. The role partners with the Farm Manager and Irrigation Manager, while offering autonomy to optimize field conditions and schedules.

The ideal candidate will operate tractors and farm machinery, oversee pest management, and ensure smooth irrigation and maintenance workflows.

Qualifications

• Able to lift 50+ lbs consistently through the day.
• Able to work outside in different weather conditions.
• Experience driving tractors and operating machinery.
• Knowledge of plumbing and irrigation systems.

Responsibilities

• Irrigation – coordinate field irrigation with Farm Irrigator and perform maintenance on irrigation and pump systems.
• Pest control – scout for pests and help implement a pest control plan with the Farm Manager.
• Cultivation – control weeds by mechanical cultivation using appropriate tools.
• Maintain detailed records of pest control sprayings.
• Coordinate with Farm Administrator to purchase spray materials.
• Coordinate with Maintenance Manager to repair tools and equipment and acquire parts.
• Communicate issues to Farm Manager and help devise action plans.

Skills

Tractor operation

Irrigation systems knowledge

Pest control planning

Mechanical repair

Bilingual Spanish/English

Heavy lifting (50+ lbs)

Tools

Welding

Job description

LOCALLY GROWN, ORGANIC PRODUCE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR.

JBG Organic is the largest certified Organic vegetable farm in Texas. Since 2004 we have been growing a large variety of mixed vegetable crops for CSA, restaurants, farmers' markets, and wholesalers. We are looking for an experienced grower to join our team and to manage all scouting, spraying and cultivation on our 184 acre Organic farm, just outside of Austin TX. The ideal candidate should have experience operating farm machinery and a working knowledge of vegetable production.

Job Description

The Head Grower at JBG Organic reports directly to the Farm Manager. They are responsible for regularly coordinating with the Irrigation Manager and the Farm Manager, but this position is generally autonomous with flexibility to work non-standard hours, as necessary, to perform condition-dependent functions at optimal times. The Head Grower is responsible for regularly scouting the farm for pests and crafting a spray and management plan with the Farm Manager. They are responsible for monitoring weed germination on the entire farm and scheduling timely cultivation in response. The ideal candidate must be comfortable operating farm machinery and work well independently.

Responsibilities

• Irrigation – Coordinate irrigation of fields with Farm Irrigator and perform maintenanceand repairs on irrigation and pump systems.
• Pest control - Scout farm for detrimental insects and animals, devise and implement pest controlplan with the Farm Manager. This includes spraying fields with appropriate organic approved products, burning heavily infested areas, and trapping and/or fencing out animals.
• Cultivation - Control weeds by means of mechanical cultivation using hillside cultivator, basket weeder, and/or other necessary tools and implements.
• Maintain detailed records of pest control sprayings.
• Coordinate with Farm Administrator to purchase spray materials.
• Coordinate with Maintenance Manager to perform needed repairs to tools and equipment, and acquire parts.
• Communicate to Farm Manager problems/areas of concern(ie. severe pest or weed infestations) and collaborate to devise action plan.

Required Qualifications

• Able to lift 50+lbs consistently through the day.
• Able to work outside in different weather conditions. (Cold, Heat, Rain, etc)
• Experience driving tractors and operating machinery.
• Knowledge of plumbing and irrigation systems.

Qualifications, preferred

• Basic welding
• Knowledge of horticulture and pest/disease prevention and control.
• Mechanical and automotive repair
• Bilingual (Spanish and English)
• 3+ years experience in agriculture and/or horticulture, with knowledge of relevant vehicles, machines, implements, and tools necessary to fulfill stated responsibilities.

Schedule

Full Time, 40+hrs/wk. Position requires the flexibility to work non-standard hours,as necessary, to perform condition-dependent functions at optimal times.

Thank you for your interest in JBG Organic! You will be contacted for further information if we find that you might be a good fit for this position.
The responsibilities & duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities of this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all work requirements to be completed at JBG Organic. Farms require flexibility! We are committed to training, developing, and promoting from within the company based on performance.
JBG Organic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Photo by Scott David Gordon. In honor of National Watermelon Day

Behold: The Summer Greens. Photo by Scott GordonThe greens that we

Individual: okra, potato, beets, Farmer's Choice greens, carrotsSmall: