Job Listings

Farm to Institution Production Manager

Center for an Agricultural Economy

• Posted January 26, 2021 at 3:41pm
• Deadline February 1st, 2021
• Location Hardwick, VT
• Type Full Time

OPEN IMMEDIATELY: Farm to Institution PRODUCTION MANAGER

We’re looking for the right mix of production and management skills to add to our Farm-to-Institution social enterprise, Just Cut! If you know food safety, have a background in industrial kitchen-work, have strong leadership qualities, and have an active interest in our local food system, farms, and community, we’d love to hear from you!

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The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) is a not-for-profit organization, which works to build a local, healthy, regenerative food system in the greater Hardwick area and beyond. Through education, outreach, infrastructure, and technical services, the CAE uses partnership and collaboration to achieve a food system that can support working lands and working people. The CAE owns and operates the Vermont Food Venture Center, a food-processing facility, food business incubator, and regional food hub. The VFVC serves small food businesses, farmers and large scale vegetable and fruit producers, as well as our community members.

CAE believes an equitable food system has empowered communities that are socially and economically thriving with shared mutual goals.CAE strives to foster an inclusive and supportive staff culture where learning and growth are supported. Building community leadership, long lasting relationships and listening to the needs of the community are core principles CAE applies to this position and our work. We encourage anyone interested in applying to reach out with any questions they may have before applying.   

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Just Cut is a social enterprise of the Center for Agricultural Economy and an essential connection between food growers and buyers. We purchase, inspect, wash, prepare (peel, shred, and dice) and deliver Vermont-grown produce to kitchens both large and small. By partnering with local farmers, food buyers across New England, and a regional delivery network, we help ensure the viability of Vermont’s working landscapes and provide greater accessibility of high-quality produce to all markets. Just Cut’s highest aspiration is to show that a conscious, conscientious supply chain is possible - one that strives to do well by all food system participants, from the land to the farmer to the processor to the consumer.

Just Cut emphasizes authenticity, value, and efficiency in your selling or buying experience. We help foster a deeper understanding of your important place in the success of our regional food system. We make it easy for buyers to support local farmers while offering peak taste, freshness, and nutrition in prepared meals. When you choose Just Cut, you are investing in the health and well-being of the people who grow your food and the people who eat your food.  

Visit our website for a summary of the position, role responsibilities, and how to apply!

Hardwick Farmers Market Manager

Center for an Agricultural Economy

• Posted January 26, 2021 at 3:35pm
• Deadline February 8th, 2021
• Location Hardwick, VT
• Type Freelance

OPEN IMMEDIATELY: Hardwick Farmers Market - Market Manager (ContractPosition)

The Hardwick Farmers Market (HFM) and the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) are looking for the right mix of market vision and enthusiasm, management and communication skills, and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of audiences. If you have marketing skills, strong leadership qualities, and an active interest in our local food system, farms, and community, we’d love to hear from you!

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The Hardwick Farmers Market is a community market, supported by the CAE, community members, vendors, and local businesses. The market provides access to locally grown and raised vegetables, meat, and other farm products and artisan wares while enhancing the sense of community within Hardwick and the NEK. 

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Market Manager Position

The Market Manager is a part-time contract position with its primary responsibility being the day-to-day operation of the farmers market and pre-season planning. This position requires 10 to 12 hours a week for 20+weeks during the market season, which is comprised of on-site presence during all market hours, inclusive of set-up and breakdown, as well as off-site work during non-market hours, plus about 10+ hours per monthin the off-season. In addition, the manager will represent the market to the market’s vendors, their customers, and the larger community. The Market Manager will work in close coordination with the HFM Executive Coordinator.

See our website for full Job Description. 

Farmer's Market Manager

Champlain Islands Farmers' Market

• Posted January 26, 2021 at 10:53am
• Deadline Open until filled
• Location South Hero, Vermont
• Type Part Time

The Champlain Island Farmers Market (CIFM) is accepting resumes for a part time Market Manager.  The duties include overseeing two farmers’ markets per week,  promoting the markets, and working with the CIFM Board on all aspects of running a successful market.   This position requires your commitment of approximately 15-20 hours per week, from early May through October.  Some hours may be available in November and December for the right candidate. 

The Saturday market in Grand Isle is 10am thru 2pm; the Wednesday market in South Hero is 3pm through 6pm.  The market manager will be on site, up to 2 hours before the market begins, to set up, assist vendors and troubleshoot as needed. Administrative and outreach activities are conducted during the week on a flexible schedule. The market schedule and a full list of the Market Manager responsibilities is on our website:  http://www.champlainislandsfarmersmarket.org/.

The position requires the ability to work well with market vendors and customers, including enforcing market guidelines when needed.  Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate dependability and the ability to work without direct supervision.  Basic spreadsheet and social media competence is a plus.  This position requires the candidate to regularly lift 40 lbs and have reliable transportation.  Transport of some market equipment may be required.  We encourage those with experience to apply but are willing to train the right person.  We offer competitive compensation, beginning at $15/hr and increasing based on qualifications.   Please forward your resume for consideration to champlainislandsfarmersmkt@gmail.com.   CIFM is an equal opportunity employer.

Fulfillment and Operations Officer

Vermont Compost Company

• Posted January 25, 2021 at 1:34pm
• Deadline Open until filled
• Location Montpelier, Vermont
• Type Full Time

This position starts at $15/hour. Benefits include: paid time off, 3% matching IRA, partial health insurance reimbursement and more. This job is full-time, year-round, often outside, with a standard work week of Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm. From time to time, weekend support is needed.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Coordinating with the Fulfillment and Operations Department and the Sales Department to ensure all potting soil and compost orders are completed accurately, while maintaining the highest soil product quality

2. Bagging and building pallets of bagged soils, preparing them for shipping 

3. Routinely operate machinery and heavy equipment: loading trucks, running the bagging machine, turning compost piles, plowing snow, etc. 

4. Assisting customers, vendors, delivery drivers and other Vermont Compost departments as needed

Vermont Compost is a very busy, dynamic workplace. The Fulfilment and Operations Officer position requires a positive attitude, flexibility and attention to detail. We are looking for someone who is patient, friendly, willing to work with others on team projects, can commit to a full time schedule, arrives on time and doesn’t mind a solid day of work.  Some previous experience operating machinery and heavy equipment (or a strong desire to learn) is helpful and desired for this position, but training will be provided. Must be able to lift 50lbs, repeatedly, over the course of a day. Opportunity to provide support to the Poultry, Livestock (chickens and donkeys), Composting, and Soil Lab Departments may arise depending on need and interest. 

Assistant Market Garden Manager

The Killeen Crossroads Farm

• Posted January 25, 2021 at 10:15am
• Deadline February 15th, 2021
• Location Shelburne, VT
• Type Full Time

The Killeen Crossroads Farm is a market garden start-up in Shelburne, Vermont that focuses on food production and meal preparation. As a farm-to-kitchen model, we strive to grow novel and delicious herbs, roots and vegetables for home cooks and chefs alike through crafted CSA shares and a modern farm stand. We rotationally graze a small herd of beef cattle, which are themselves followed by pasture-raised laying hens and poultry. Located among a corridor of impressive farms in the Burlington, Vermont area, we strive to encourage healthy soils through ecologically-based growing methods on terraced and irrigated production beds. Through our specialized CSA shares and modern farm stand, our goal is to provide community members with unique, ethnically-diverse and nutrient-rich ingredients and instruction for home meal preparation.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Killeen Crossroads Farm seeks an experienced and collaborative assistant market garden manager that is also passionate about food preparation. The farmer should be knowledgeable of, and committed to, sustainable farming practices that improve the health of soil and water, and a desire to manage a ~2-acre vegetable and flower farm. Our ideal candidate knows how to create the well-organized market gardens that they admire, the neatly arranged rows, the multitude of colors, and the vibrance of heirloom vegetables. They love to photograph bountiful harvests, drools over baskets of rainbow-colored eggs, and knows the pleasure of hard work and bounty that makes people feel full—inside and out. The Killeen Crossroads Farm is located along protected pastoral views in Shelburne, and the design and operation of the farm must contribute to the area’s beauty.

Our ideal candidate seeks to build upon their market farming experiences, by joining a new farm start-up dedicated to regenerative agriculture through no till/low till farm practices. The candidate will demonstrates an understanding and commitment to the farm-to-kitchen mission of the Killeen Crossroads Farm, and the linkage between the food they grow and the meals people will eat.

This candidate will be involved in harvesting and conditioning vegetable crops for sale through a CSA community and point of sale farm stand. The market farmer should have experience working with high tunnel and greenhouse crop production. The candidate has demonstrated experience working on a farm through New England weather conditions.

Working alongside and under the mentorship of Market Garden Manager, this new position will assist in all aspects of farm production from propagation, to soil amendments, cultivation, harvesting and sales.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists Market Garden Manager in vegetable, herb and flower production, including propagation, soil fertility, planting, cultivation, harvesting, packing, etc;
• Assists in preparation of terraced production beds including weed suppression, soil amendments, fertilization and irrigation;
• Serves as primary lead for conditioning and packing crops for sale and maintenance of farm stand;

REQUIREMENTS

• A successful candidate will have demonstrated experience with the responsibilities listed above, including at least:
• Two or more growing seasons of experience on sustainable production farm - largely focused on vegetable production and management ­or 1 or more years of such experience and a degree in sustainable agriculture and food systems(or a related degree).
• Demonstrated experience with and commitment to participate in a physically intensive work environment;
• Friendly disposition and willingness to engage with community members and farm customers;
• Valid drivers license for use of farm trucks.

Market Garden Manager

The Killeen Crossroads Farm

• Posted January 25, 2021 at 10:00am
• Deadline February 1st, 2021
• Location Shelburne, VT
• Type Full Time

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

The Killeen Crossroads Farm is a market garden start-up in Shelburne, Vermont that focuses on food production and meal preparation. As a farm-to-kitchen model, we strive to grow novel and delicious herbs, roots and vegetables for home cooks and chefs alike through crafted CSA shares and a modern farm stand. We rotationally graze a small herd of beef cattle, which are themselves followed by pasture-raised laying hens and poultry. Located among a corridor of impressive farms in the Burlington, Vermont area, we strive to encourage healthy soils through ecologically-based growing methods on terraced and irrigated production beds. Through our specialized CSA shares and modern farm stand, our goal is to provide community members with unique, ethnically-diverse and nutrient-rich ingredients and instruction for home meal preparation.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Killeen Crossroads Farm seeks an experienced and collaborative farmer that is also passionate about food preparation. As the Market Garden Manager, they should be knowledgeable of, and committed to, sustainable farming practices that improve the health of soil and water, and a desire to manage a ~2-acre vegetable and flower farm. Our ideal candidate knows how to create the well-organized market gardens that they admire, the neatly arranged rows, the multitude of colors, and the vibrance of heirloom vegetables. They love to photograph bountiful harvests, drool over baskets of rainbow-colored eggs, and knows the pleasure of hard work and bounty that makes people feel full—inside and out. The Killeen Crossroads Farm is located along protected pastoral views in Shelburne, and the design and operation of the farm must contribute to the area’s beauty.

This is the farm’s inaugural growing season, and the Market Garden Manager will play an integral role in the establishment of essential production systems and goals, with a keen eye on long term soil and water health. The Market Garden Manager is responsible for co-creating the farm production plan and will lead the production of vegetables and cut flowers for the CSA and farm stand. Following the creation of the terraced production beds(~1.5 acres), the initial production season on the farm will likely involve bed preparation, weed seed bank management, concerted attention to soil fertility and cover cropping in a no till/low till farm operation. The successful candidate will be ready to assume leadership of a farm start-up with these characteristics.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads all production operations of the farm: Propagation, soil fertility, planting, cultivation, harvesting, packing, etc. and will lead in labor for all production operations;
• Develops seed and supply orders needed for the growing season;
• Develops and implements detailed crop plans to meet the farm's production and sales goals;
• Manages and coordinate sales outlets in the Chittenden County (Vermont) area, through a CSA, on-farm sales, and wholesale accounts;
• Mentors and manages the Assistant Market Garden Manager and part time seasonal labor;
• Helps to craft weekly emails to CSA members with vegetable box contents, storage tips, and recipes;
• The Market Garden Manager is an integral part of the owner-operated farm team. The farm manager is expected to collaborate with owners on hiring decisions, production reports, design and development of the farm stand, and to participate in long term planning for the farm and food production system.

REQUIREMENTS

• A successful candidate will have demonstrated experience with the responsibilities listed above, including at least:
• 5 years experience farming on a sustainable production farm - largely focused on vegetable production and management ­or 3 or more years of such experience and a degree in sustainable agriculture and food systems (or a related degree).
• 1 or more years of management experience (preferred)  
• Experience operating farm machinery (preferred)
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Is detail oriented, well organized, and appreciative of farm aesthetics.
• Possess a friendly disposition, is team oriented and has a willingness to engage with community members and farm customers
• Valid drivers license for use of farm trucks.

Fulfillment and Community Outreach Assistant

Maple Wind Farm

• Posted January 20, 2021 at 4:18pm
• Deadline March 1st, 2021
• Location Richmond, VT
• Type Full Time

Order fulfillment of pasture-raised meats, great team culture, grow direct-to-consumer sales

Participate in Vermont’s local food system through the fulfillment and delivery of pasture-raised meats. Help build a retail-focused system to bring more food to our direct community. Join a team of hard-working individuals who support, teach, and learn from each other.

The Farm

Maple Wind Farm is a pasture-based livestock farm operating in Richmond and Bolton, Vermont for more than 20 years. The farm produces pasture-raised non-GMO pork, turkeys, layer and broiler chickens, and 100% grass-fed beef through an innovative DAILY move method that keeps animals happy and healthy.  Our certified organic, USDA poultry slaughter and meat processing plant allows us to bring high-quality proteins to our discerning customers.

• Positive farm team culture is built on respect and lean principles

• We believe in work/life balance - most staff work 4 days/10 hrs each day

• We are a leader in on-farm processing and pasture-raised proteins

The Position

We’re seeking a detail-oriented, passionate individual to become our Fulfillment and Community Outreach Assistant. This position works directly with the Sales, Fulfillment, and Inventory Manager in packing orders, tracking our inventory, planning and participating in farmer’s markets, and running our Home Delivery and On-Farm Pick-up programs. Assistant must be positive, humorous, focused, and a strong multitasker. Wage is competitive depending on experience $14-$16/hour, and includes farm food, professional development opportunities, and Worker’s Compensation Insurance - covering injuries on the job.

• Management of frozen and cooler inventory

• Delivery scheduling

• Interact with customers through deliveries, pick-ups, and farmer’s market

The Location

Richmond, Vermont is a small town just 20 minutes away from Burlington (VT’s largest city), and nestled on the western slopes of the Green Mountains. Vermont is known for spectacular natural scenery and access to a wide variety of outdoor pursuits such as hiking, fishing, mountain biking and hunting.

• Robust local food scene

• Richmond schools are among the best in the state

• Less than an hour from some of VTs world class ski areas.

Why Should You Apply?

• Develop systems to make local, pasture-raised meats accessible to our community

• Join a supportive, mission-driven team

• Opportunities to develop sales and inventory management skills

Assistant Growing Manager

Philo Ridge Farm

• Posted January 20, 2021 at 3:55pm
• Deadline February 19th, 2021
• Location Charlotte, VT
• Type Full Time

Job Title: Assistant Growing Manager

Type: Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried

Location: Philo Ridge Farm, Charlotte, Vermont

Our Culture

Philo Ridge Farm is a certified organic 400-acre farm located in Vermont’s Champlain Valley. We are a diversified farm in our fourth year of production focused on growing produce and raising meat. Our practices increase the health of our soil, produce a variety of nutrient rich foods, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and support our agricultural community. Our production spans vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, flowers, orchards, and livestock including sheep, chickens, turkeys, cattle, and pigs. We produce our own compost and hay on the farm.

One year ago, we opened the Farm Commons Barn, a community gathering place with a commercial kitchen and market for selling products grown and processed at Philo Ridge. The market at the Farm Commons Barn serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a curated grocery selection showcasing our meats, fresh produce and other products from local farms and producers. The commercial kitchen and processing facility also operate a production cycle continuously throughout the year, handling the value-added food processing and butchering of our farm-raised animals.

The farm and the Farm Common Barn allow us to welcome the public, to host events, and create value-added goods throughout the entire year. In addition to production, we are carefully measuring and monitoring our practices so that we can share our story and data with others who are interested in understanding and supporting regenerative agriculture.

Position Overview

The Assistant Growing Manager is an integral contributor to Philo Ridge Farm. Their work is rooted in the farm’s ecological mission to steward a responsible, sustainable agricultural system. They will report to the Growing Manager, and the relationship between the Assistant Manager and the Growing Manager will be intentionally collaborative. The Assistant Manager will support the Growing Manager to develop and oversee seasonal planning. They will be responsible for identifying and implementing stewardship practices, managing work crews, and carrying out daily growing practices in the vegetable garden. They will support the Growing Manager in many ways and be a positive contributor to the culture and placemaking of Philo Ridge Farm.

The Assistant Growing Manager has a strong understanding of diversified vegetable production and is a creative thinker with a commitment to cultivating land. The vegetable growing operation at Philo Ridge Farm is approximately two acres and consists of two fields, a small greenhouse, a propagation house, two caterpillar tunnels, and perennial plantings around the farm property. The vegetable garden prioritizes diversity, creativity, and simplicity, with the goals of improving soil health, producing nutrient dense food, creating habitat space, and providing beauty to the farm experience. Our intention is to have a small, nimble team that works closely together to foster a healthy environment both interpersonally and ecologically. 

Responsibilities

Team Management

• Collaborate with the Growing Manager and growing team to plan, set seasonal goals, and reflect on planning throughout the year
• Identify, prioritize, and lead team to act on production priorities on a daily and weekly basis, including:
• Propagation of a diverse mix of vegetable varieties
• Planting, weeding, harvest
• Wash, pack, storage, and transfer to the Kitchen and Market
• Succession planning, cover cropping, nutrient amendments, and bed preparation primarily using broadfork, walk-behind BCS, and skid steer
• Managing and maintaining perennial gardens for production, beauty, and biodiversity
• Contribute to team management by communicating workflows, organizing groups, and developing team members’ knowledge and application of best practices.

Production

• Assist in managing all aspects of organic production, including but not limited to:
• Production: seedling propagation, high-tunnel growing, harvest and washing for on-farm Market & Kitchen
• Field work: weeding, planting, cultivation, and irrigation management
• Integrated pest and disease management in compliance of Organic Certification
• Operating on-farm vehicles such as tractors, skid steer, walk-behind tractor and gator
• Maintaining records for Organic Certification including, but not limited to, production calendar and maps, harvest records, pest and disease records, etc. 
• Overseeing routine care and cultivation of perennials, including pollinator habitats, orchard trees, berries and flowers

Farm Operations

• Interact with other teams on the farm (livestock, kitchen, market, education) as a collaborator and colleague
• Support and participate in activities run by the farm including special events, farm tours, etc. as needed 
• Contribute to sampling, evaluating, and supporting on-going research activities related to soil health and ecosystem services produced
• Contribute to general maintenance and upkeep of Philo Ridge Farm to maintain a high level of aesthetic for all grounds and facilities on the farm
• Support other agriculture operations on the farm as needed

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in annual production systems and adaptive growing practices with the goal of improving the health of the land, including at least three years of farm experience
• Experience managing a field crew, including ability to organize groups of people working together using clear language and thoughtful workflows
• Operational experience in key aspects of organic vegetable farming, including:
• Knowledge of and interest in seed supply and annual vegetable varieties
• Ability to scout and ID insect pests & disease, and follow through on implementation of appropriate action plan
• Experience operating farm equipment including skid steer
• Understanding of budgeting, costs of goods and labor, and product pricing
• Ability and willingness to do hard physical work in all weather conditions, remain active throughout the day, and work weekends as needed
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Computer proficiency, data entry and reporting skills
• Two professional references 

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

Application Process

Candidates should send a cover letter, resume, available start date, contact information, and reference contact information to jobs@philoridgefarm.com. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly.