Shepard Farm Manager

DODGE NATURE CENTER; Cottage Grove (MN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan contributions

Paid time off

Job summary

Dodge Nature Center and Preschool in Minnesota seeks a Shepherd Farm Manager to lead operations at Shepherd Farm in Cottage Grove. This full-time, in-person role oversees animals, crops, beekeeping, and garden programs, while supervising interns and volunteers and coordinating with the Farm Director.

Based at Shepard Farm in Cottage Grove, you will manage maintenance, animal care, crop management, and agricultural programming while engaging the community and delivering environmental education.

Qualifications

• Degree in agriculture or related field or minimum 3 years of related experience.
• Ability to perform manual tasks related to farming operations and maintenance.
• Some evenings and weekends will be required.
• Ability to quickly learn and use company-specific software and technology tools.

Responsibilities

• Care and management of farm animals – including care, feeding, basic vet tasks.
• Facilities, vehicles, grounds maintenance, equipment care and repair in partnership with Farm Director.
• Agricultural crop management including plant and garden care.
• Managing and/or teaching agricultural programming including apiary management and education programs.
• Supervise personnel assigned to Shepard Farm and collaborate with Buildings & Grounds team.

Skills

Teamwork

Independent work

Manual labor

Education

Degree in agriculture or related field

3 years related experience

Job description

Dodge Nature Center and Preschool is a nonprofit organization providing quality environmental education across its 460+ acre nature preserve in West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, and Cottage Grove. Dodge provides environmental and outdoor education experiences for thousands of people every year through school programs, outreach, public programs, events, and a nature-based preschool (Dodge Nature Preschool ).

The Shepard Farm Manager is responsible for the management and implementation of farm operations at Dodge Nature Center’s Shepard Farm property in Cottage Grove. This role includes management of property, crops, orchard, beekeeping, sugarbush, livestock, and garden programs. Responsibilities also include working as part of the farm department team, training and working with interns and volunteers, and some agriculture and environmental education teaching.

This role is based out of Dodge Nature Center’s Shepard Farm property in West St. Paul and is expected to be in person five days a week.

Dodge offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include health and dental insurance options, retirement plan contributions, and paid time off.

Job Functions and Key Responsibilities

Care and Management of Farm Animals – 35%

• Responsible for the care and maintenance of farm animals. This includes purchasing, feeding, cleaning, and basic vet care.

Facilities, Vehicles, Grounds Maintenance, Equipment Care and Repair – 30%

• Coordinate maintenance and repair of farm structures, equipment, and vehicles in partnership with Farm Director.
• When appropriate, personally perform maintenance, building repairs, and cleaning.
• Perform landscape maintenance and plowing cross the property.

Agricultural Crop Management – 25%

• Plant and manage crops.
• Manage, maintain, and care for gardens, including the community garden.

Managing and/or Teaching Agricultural Programming – 5%

• Apiary: maintain and manage bee colonies, equipment, and supplies.
• Facilitate agriculture education programs as needed.

Personnel & Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

• Supervise personnel assigned to work at Shepard Farm.
• Work with farm team to complete operations needed for farm programming.
• Work in partnership with Buildings & Grounds team as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Educational Background
  Degree in agriculture, biology, education, environmental studies, horticulture, or other field related to the primary functions of the position or minimum 3 years of related experience.
• Ability and willingness to perform manual tasks related to farming operations and maintenance activities.
• Ability to work as both part of a team and independently.
• Comfortable balancing multiple responsibilities, shifting priorities, and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to quickly learn and use company-specific software and technology tools.
• Some evenings and weekends will be required.
• Physical Requirements
  Ability to perform tasks that involve manual labor, including bending, lifting, and carrying objects up to 50 pounds. Ability to traverse uneven terrain and spend up to 6 hours per day outside in inclement weather.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and/or experience in sustainable farming practices and animal care.
• Understanding of ecosystems, natural history, and an educational setting.
• Ability and motivation to study reference materials and incorporate that information into operations.

Dodge Nature Center and Preschool is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants and staff to bring their diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences to Dodge. We commit to fostering an inclusive, welcoming work environment for all employees.