Nursery Research Supervisor

Lundberg Family Farms; Richvale (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Lundberg Family Farms in Richvale, California is seeking a Nursery Research Supervisor to lead our rice breeding and seed production staff. This full-time role suits someone with a plant breeding background who wants to grow within our breeding program.

Recent graduates are encouraged to apply. You will oversee day-to-day nursery operations under the Nursery Manager, supervise breeding and foundation seed production, maintain records and pedigrees, and support greenhouse and field trials

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a plant-related field (breeding, genetics, agronomy, crop science).
• 2+ years in rice agriculture or crop research (academic work acceptable).
• 1+ year of supervisory experience (formal or informal).
• Strong attention to detail, recordkeeping, and data management.
• Ability to work effectively in both field and greenhouse settings.

Responsibilities

• Run day-to-day nursery operations under the Nursery Manager, collaborating with the breeder on crossing, generation advancement, and evaluation of breeding lines.
• Supervise breeder and foundation seed production from planning through harvest, including rogueing, off-type recording, CCIA compliance, and field inspections.
• Maintain field books, pedigree records, progeny row notes, and seed/headrow inventories.
• Support greenhouse and field trials for rice and other crops, including data collection, milling and cooking tests, and analysis.
• Manage greenhouse operations, including environmental controls (iGrow), system checks, and pest/weed management.
• Lead, train, and develop staff and seasonal workers, fostering a collaborative team with clear responsibilities and deadlines.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Detail oriented

Data management

Team leadership

Education

B.S. in plant breeding, plant genetics, agronomy, crop science, or a related field

Tools

iGrow greenhouse system

Job description

• Base Pay $26.00 - $30.00 / Hour
• Employee Type Full-time Non-Exempt
• Manage Others Yes

Description

We’re seeking a Nursery Research Supervisor to lead our rice breeding and seed production staff. This full-time role suits someone with a plant breeding background who wants to grow within our breeding program. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Run day-to-day nursery operations under the Nursery Manager, working closely with the breeder on crossing, generation advancement, selection, and evaluation of breeding lines for yield, grain quality, disease resistance, and agronomic traits.
• Supervise breeder and foundation seed production from planning through harvest, including rogueing, off-type recording, CCIA compliance, and field inspections.
• Maintain field books, pedigree records, progeny row notes, and seed and headrow inventories.
• Support greenhouse and field trials for rice and other crops, including data collection, milling and cooking tests, and analysis.
• Manage greenhouse operations, including environmental controls (iGrow), system checks, and pest and weed management.
• Lead, train, and develop staff and seasonal workers, fostering a collaborative team with clear responsibilities and deadlines.

Requirements

• B.S. in plant breeding, plant genetics, agronomy, crop science, or a related field.
• 2+ years in rice agriculture or crop research (may include academic research experience).
• 1+ year of supervisory experience (formal or informal).
• Strong attention to detail, recordkeeping, and data management skills.
• Ability to work in both field and greenhouse settings.

Preferred

• Plant breeding experience through coursework, research, internships, or employment.
• Field research experience and familiarity with experimental design and statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of greenhouse operations (iGrow training provided).