Manager, University Farm

Sewanee

Sewanee (TN)

On-site

USD 65,000 - 85,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

The University of the South (Sewanee) is seeking a Farm Manager to lead all aspects of the University Farm, including production, waste management, and sustainable land use. This role drives educational and economic goals and oversees staff, volunteers, and budget to support the farm's mission.

Responsibilities include crop planning, infrastructure design, and outreach; ensuring food safety; and developing entrepreneurial internship opportunities.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science in a related field.
Minimum of 2 years' experience working with organic or sustainable farming systems.
Experience at an educational farm is preferred.
Driver's license required.
Grower Certificate from the Produce Safety Alliance.
Food safety: USDA 'qualified individual' preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead all aspects of the University Farm operations, including crop planning and infrastructure.
Develop educational and economic goals and provide immersive learning for students, staff, and volunteers.
Recruit, hire, and train work-study students and volunteers; supervise staff.
Manage farm budget, procurement, and fundraising support as needed.
Maintain food safety compliance and practice sustainable agriculture methods.

Skills

Vegetable production

Animal production

Initiative

Judgment

Communication skills

People management

Google tools

E-commerce

Social media

Education

Bachelor of Science in a related field

Job description

Primary Function

The University Farm complements the University's traditional education offerings in ecosystem management and food systems through the production of food and animal crops on the Domain. This position leads all aspects of the farm and associated waste management operations and creates and maintains business plans to carry out the farm’s mission in the most economically sustainable way possible. The Farm serves as a model for environmental stewardship by continuing, identifying, implementing, and leading sustainable land use and agricultural best practices and utilizing these practices in co-curricular experiences. This position receives general supervision. Broad instructions are provided, and the staff member uses judgment and experience to carry out assignments. Completed assignments and finished products are reviewed by the supervisor after completion.

Position Appointment Details

Career Band: 2C
Full-Time

Typical Duties & Responsibilities

The Farm Manager develops and implements both the educational and economic goals of the University Farm by providing an immersive educational experience for University students, staff, and volunteers, which produces the following byproducts:

Food production that is routed to university dining operations and local markets.
Nutrient acquisition through recycling of campus waste streams.
Restoration of soil fertility and wildlife habitat.
Design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure.
Production and delivery of outreach events and student service opportunities.

Organizational Support

Engage volunteers, neighbors, & program participants to build community relationships.
Cultivate relationships within the urban agriculture and local food systems communities.

Farm Management

Works independently to complete complex projects such as crop planning and production protocols and integrated marketing campaigns for food and floral products.
Uses creative problem-solving to develop entrepreneurial internships and career experiences for a broad range of students.
Develops and implements long-range operational and strategic planning for the University Farm.
Maintains food safety compliance and standards.
Utilizes sustainable agriculture methods, including weed management, integrated pest management, and development of soil structure through composting.
Purchases materials/supplies for the operation of the Farm.
Assumes responsibility for the safety of student-workers, temporary workers, volunteers, and visitors who come into contact with the farm, and the health and welfare of farm livestock.

Program Management and Support

Recruits and hires work-study students, assistant managers, and on-call farm hands and volunteers.
Develops and encourages a team dynamic within the Farm staff.
Coordinates and contributes to training, professional development, and other personnel issues concerning new and existing staff.
Implements programs and practices that ensure effective staff training and assessment of job performance.
Supports, communicates, and collaborates with various operational staff members and faculty to help further institutional goals, create student opportunities, and further develop the University Farm programming and impact.
Seeks new and innovative projects/programming or other means that foster relationships and involvement among all educational majors and outreach opportunities.

Judgment Required

Performance of the essential duties of this position is dependent upon independent ingenuity and developmental efforts.

Budgetary Responsibility

Responsible for maintaining the farm budget and assisting in Farm fundraising efforts where necessary.

Machines & Equipment Used

Pickup truck, can back a trailer, can operate a stick-shift tractor, front loader, attach 3-point implements, walk-behind tractors and implements, lawn care tools and machines, basic carpentry, plumbing and electrical tools.

Personal Interaction/Communications

Student Contact: As mentors, work-study, interns, and for co-curricular activities
Internal: (Operations Committee, Faculty, Administrative department heads): Works in collaboration with faculty members to enable the utilization of the Farm for educational purposes. Collaborates with OESS Director to provide a venue for sustainable land management practices and co-curricular projects. Works with Food Service leadership to supply farm products to campus dining facilities.
External: (Regents & Trustees, government officials or agencies, visitors, parents, other institutions, colleges, or companies, suppliers): Responds to interests from prospective students, alumni, and parties from the agricultural community. Drives e-commerce and social media traffic. Recruits local and regional entities to collaborate with the University Farm on food systems research. Supports outreach education in collaboration with the Office of Community Engagement.

Education

Bachelor of Science in a related field

Experience

Minimum of 2 years' experience working with organic or sustainable farming systems. Experience at an educational farm is preferred.

Job Related Skills

Vegetable and animal production. Demonstrated initiative, entrepreneurial mindset, and sound judgment. Proficient in basic veterinary care, teaching abilities, verbal and written communication skills, managing people, and building enthusiasm and trust. Facile user of all aspects of Google online tools, e-commerce, and social media platforms.

Licenses/Certification

Driver's license required.
Grower Certificate from the Produce Safety Alliance.
Food safety: USDA “qualified individual” preferred

Confidential Information

Salaries & employment records of staff supervised

Working Environment

Must be able to wear approved personal protective equipment in accordance with University policies
The farm is a startup operation with fast-paced changes in work routines and infrastructure.
A high level of flexibility, curiosity, and drive are needed.
The farm manager will work a flexible schedule in response to the needs of animals and crops, and work schedules are often driven by weather events.
Occasional evening and weekend hours are required, and there will also be on-call during some off hours.
A typical workweek is 40 hours.

Any additional requirements specific to this position

This position will require the applicant to have or obtain the certification status of a USDA “qualified individual” who can design and implement infrastructure and protocols to ensure the safety of the food products that leave the farm gate.
This position will require the applicant to have or obtain the certification status from the state of Tennessee’s “Better Process School”.

Physical Requirements