Salt City Harvest Farm

Part-time Farm Manager Job Description 

Salt City Harvest Farm (SCHF) is an urban-edge, 32-acre farm near Syracuse, NY, that serves as a bridge for New Americans as they adjust to their new surroundings, language, and culture. Salt City Harvest Farm provides weekly transportation and land on which New Americans grow and harvest food for their families. The cultivation of culturally-appropriate foods helps New Americans maintain their cultural identity and heritage in an unfamiliar environment. New Americans share farming knowledge while forming cross-cultural friendships, practicing language skills, and collaboratively working the land.

We are looking for a part-time farm manager to maintain and expand the existing programs.  This person will be responsible for agricultural management of the farm, including an existing apple and stone fruit orchard, vineyard, gardens for New Americans, and expansion into other commercial crops and specialty crops for restaurant and farmer’s market sales.

 This position is seasonal, part-time, 20 hours per week, $15/hour, with potential for expanded hours in the future.  Candidate must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

 Required duties:

1.     New American Farm Trips (65%)

○      Transport New Americans twice a week to the farm property for 3-4 hour farm visits.

○      Assist participants with any on-farm technical needs, including accessing water, tools, and rototilling. Provide direction to the participants working in the “communal garden,” including assistance in organic weed & pest management, soil-building, and composting.

○      In the “market garden,” determine and deploy a schedule for planting and maintenance. Train New Americans on production methods geared towards selling at market and restaurants, including planning, production tracking, quality control, produce handling, and determining market prices.

2.     Selling Produce (25%)

○      Train New Americans on all aspects of selling produce at market and to restaurants, including set-up, speaking with customers, making sales, and tracking money.

○      Coordinate with local restauranteurs  to meet the produce needs of their restaurants.

3.     Leadership & Communication (10%)

○      Oversee two New American farm assistants, including delegating responsibilities.

○      Oversee student interns and volunteers, and provide them with relevant tasks based on their skillsets and interests.

○      Interface with our farmer mentor, Duane, regarding soil and crop health, especially crop planning, water management, and pest concerns—he is a wealth of knowledge and a great resource.

○      Communicate with the farm’s Advisory Board to relay progress, voice concerns, etc. Ideally, attend monthly board meetings.

4.     Record Keeping

○      Keep record of vegetables planted, harvested, and sold and ensure that the communal garden also notes the quantity of produce harvested on each farm trip. Create metrics for both tracking vegetable production in the market garden, as well as selling at market and to restaurants.

 

Send cover letter, CV, and contact info for 2-3 references to Rozlynn Jakes-Johnson and Matthew Potteiger at  rozlynnjj@gmail.com and ranchotomatillo@earthlink.net