Organic Farm Manager

FarmOn; Maine; On-site; USD 44,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Year-round housing

Job summary

Roberts Harbor Farm on Vinalhaven, ME is seeking an organic farm manager to run the farm and commit to 3–5 years of leadership and growth.

As RHF's farm manager you will lead a small team, plan crops, supervise field operations, manage equipment, and support farm-to-table kitchen activities while upholding high standards and community relations. Housing is provided year-round on the property.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years minimum experience on a diversified organic-method farm with crop planning and field operations.
• An agricultural degree or other formal ag training.
• Ability to work with farm equipment – tractors, irrigation systems, etc.
• Ability to hire and manage a crew and lead the farm team.
• Commitment to a 3–5 year time frame in the Vinalhaven community.

Responsibilities

• Run the farm and manage day-to-day operations.
• Plan crops and supervise field work and farm activities.
• Lead and manage a small farm team including seasonal workers.
• Support farm-to-table kitchen operations as applicable.
• Use data and planning tools to inform decisions.

Skills

Crop planning

Team management

Farm equipment operation

Crew management

Problem solving

Physical fitness

Software proficiency

Market knowledge

Education

Agricultural degree

Tools

Excel

Word

Google Docs/Sheets

QuickBooks

Square

Farm software

Job description

Roberts Harbor Farm is a certified-organic, saltwater farm on the island of Vinalhaven, ME. The farm is being re-established on a historic property that was first farmed over 100 years ago. 2027 will be our 8th season in operation. We grow a wide variety of produce, flowers, and herbs (on roughly two acres), which we sell through our on-site farm store on Vinalhaven and to wholesale customers on Vinalhaven and neighboring islands. In addition to our primary farming business, we operate a nursery in the spring, offer value-added seasonal food produced in our commercial kitchen, and have barn dinners that feature a 5-course chef’s menu with wine pairings. We host an annual fundraiser for Partners in Island Education. We also offer yoga classes in our barn. The farm is fortunate to enjoy widespread community support and is respected for quality and professionalism.

Access to Vinalhaven is via the Maine State Ferry from Rockland, Maine. The island is home to a year-round community of around 1300 people, who are primarily engaged in the fishing (lobster) industry. In the shoulder seasons and summer, the population triples. Vinalhaven has beautiful walking trails maintained by the Vinalhaven Land Trust, as well as endless places to kayak, bike, and just be outside. There is an on-island grocery store, wine and cheese shop, two coffee shops, a convenience store, an everything-you-can-imagine-store, used book shop, library, K-12 school, summer food trucks, a small brewery, and a couple of restaurants. North Haven is accessible by a boat service across the thoroughfare.

The farm property is about 40 acres. The farm house enjoys ocean views.

About the Job

Roberts Harbor Farm (RHF) is looking for an organic farm manager to run the farm and make a medium to long-term commitment to its continued success.

Being the RHF Farm Manager is a unique opportunity to run an established, well-equipped, and well-funded farm in a work environment where you can grow and explore. We value hard work, of course, but also high standards, positivity, resilience, commitment, leadership, creativity, and community building.

Compensation is based on experience. We offer year-round housing in a farm house located on the property.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 3-5 years minimum experience working on a successful diversified, organic-method farm, with significant responsibility for crop planning and field/farm operations, including team management
• An agricultural degree, or other formal ag training
• The ability and willingness to work with farm equipment – tractors, Grillo, flail mower, irrigation systems, vehicles, chain saw skills, etc.
• The skills and desire to work well with and lead others – the farm team includes two farm owners, a farm manager, and 2 full-time seasonal (May-Sept/Oct) workers
• Ability to hire and manage a crew –– training and maintaining harmony and motivation among the crew is critical to the management role
• A love of problem solving – Being able to anticipate and work through problems to find short-term and long-term solutions is a must
• Physical fitness – Farming is physically demanding. Must have ability to easily lift 50 lbs., spend long days harvesting, packing, planting, weeding
• Software proficiency – Excel, Word, Google Docs/Sheets, Quickbooks, Square, Farm software – we value planning and data and use it extensively for informed decision making and effective execution
• Knowledge of market vegetables and flowers, growing zones, soil health concepts, planting techniques, cultivation techniques, natural pest management techniques
• Honesty, Integrity, Responsibility – We are looking for mature adults that understand and embrace the responsibility of running a farm
• Desire to become part of the Vinalhaven community and ability to commit to a 3-5 year time frame
• Livestock care experience - we have laying hens and raise 2 pigs, 4 sheep, and 25-50 broiler hens per season
• Experience supporting farm-to-table chef/kitchen operations a plus
• Small engine knowledge a plus

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $43,950 - $50,000

Deadline

November 15, 2026