Company description Land. Agriculture. Learning. For over forty years, Smokey House Center has used our incredible 5,000-acre land resource as a stunning backdrop for youth development and education. Smokey House Center’s fundamental purpose is to maintain a working landscape that promotes sustainable agricultural and forestry practices while engaging people in meaningful ways. Job description Smokey House Center seeks a full-time Farmer-In-Residence (FIR) to manage all aspects of vegetable and other farm production in a manner that integrates education partners, visiting groups, and volunteers. The “Smokey House Community Farm” will work with these audiences to grow food for hunger relief and other community programs, increasing access to nutritious, local food for our neighbors in southern Vermont. The FIR will also host education programs and farmer training workshops in partnership with Smokey House Center and other area agencies. 

Farmer-In-Residence responsibilities include:

• seeding, planting, cultivating, harvesting, processing, and distributing 2-3 acres of storage crops for identified community food programs,
• crop planning, field prep, and soil fertility management,
• farm site and grounds maintenance including mowing, tree care, fencing, irrigation, equipment maintenance, etc.,
• light building and property maintenance,
• facilitating involvement of education partners, visiting groups, and individuals in community food production activities,
• hosting farm-education workshops and training events in partnership with other area agencies,
• managing blueberry/raspberry production including mulching, pruning, mowing, and pick-your-own sales,
• community outreach and event planning with SHC,
• other duties may include firewood production, snow plowing, Christmas tree management, maple sugaring support, and future small livestock enterprises to meet specific production and program goals.

Though not currently certified organic, production will take place on previously certified land and we require FIR to use production methods that will not compromise recertification in the coming seasons. 

FIR reports to SHC’s Executive Director and is also supported by an independently contracted “Mentor Farmer.”
This is a full-time, one- to two-year position. Housing provided on site.

Qualifications:
We are seeking a production-oriented farmer with a commitment to education and a stellar attitude. This position is ideal for someone who has been through a formal agricultural training or advanced apprenticeship program and has several seasons of vegetable production experience. We seek a community-minded farmer who wants to apply his/her experience in a leadership capacity. 

Desired qualifications include:

• Degree or academic training in agriculture, education, environmental, or related field (experience may be substituted for degree),
• A minimum of two full seasons of vegetable production experience with some level of responsibility for crop planning utilizing organic methods,
• Demonstrated dynamic group management/leadership experience among mixed age levels and basic knowledge of place-based or work-based learning,
• A track record of safe operation of vehicles, tractors, and other farm equipment,
• A self-directed leader, motivated to balance farm production goals with volunteer and student experience.

Compensation this position is : salaried Application instructions Deadlineno deadline