Company description Black Kettle Farm is a 4.5 acre diverse, MOFGA certified organic vegetable farm in Southern Maine.  2019 will be it's 11th growing season.  The farm has a strong emphasis on it’s 80-100 member CSA, and also supplies produce for a busy weekly farmers’ market and to restaurant accounts.  The farm practices season extension in 2 high tunnels, has a large perennial culinary and medicinal herb garden and donates food to a local food pantry. Black Kettle strives to produce beautiful vegetables, give back to our soil, feed friends, share food and create a space rich with gratitude and appreciation for the abundance that the farm provides.  The farm generates an atmosphere of hard work, communication, connection and positivity. Job description The Assistant Manager position at Black Kettle is an opportunity for an experienced grower to expand their knowledge base and to gain skills in small-farm management.  This position can serve as a stepping stone to owning/managing your own the farm in the future, and is intended for someone who has apprenticed in the past, feels committed to organic agriculture as a career and is ready to challenge themselves and take on a more significant role on the farm.

The Assistant Manager should at least 2 seasons of previous experience working on production based farm (not a homestead or community garden) and have a general sense of how the vegetable season unfolds in the North East.

The Assistant Manager will work closely with Laura, the farm owner/manager and will be a part of all aspects of the vegetable operation from early seeding and crop planning, to tractor work and field prep, direct marketing, crew management and so many more farm tasks in between.  The position is full time and runs from early March through mid-November of 2019.

The Assistant Manager will be delegated certain tasks such as: Seedling Greenhouse Management, Record Keeping, High Tunnel production management and/or Managing the wash and pack for CSA and restaurant accounts, along with assisting in the management of the crew on the farm.  

Confidence in working independently and gaining autonomy and accountability on the farm are essential elements of the position.

Ideal candidates for the position will be quick learners, who are focused and driven to advance their skills in growing organic vegetables and running a farm business. The Assistant Manager will be expected to be a leader on the farm with the field crew and come with a motivated, positive attitude and take initiative in keeping the farm an efficient, productive work place.  Upbeat trouble-shooters who are flexible and can think on their feet are a great fit for this position! 

Compensation is dependent on experience and is $12.50-$14.50/hour.  

The farm has workers comp insurance and pays everyone on the books.  Raises are possible throughout the season.  

It is highly recommended to live no more then 30 minutes from the farm during the season.  The long hours and full days on the farm make a long commute really challenging and will majorly detract from the experience.

The work week is Monday-Friday, from 7:00 AM-5:00 PM (6:30 AM on 2 harvest days) with an hour for lunch.  Saturday greenhouse chores and farmers' market responsibilities are shared amongst the crew on a rotational basis, as well as CSA pick-ups which go past the normal work day hours.  The farm is very busy place and the Assistant Manager can expect to work a 50+ hour work week during the heart of the season.  The position will start as part-time in March, but will ramp up be full time by mid-April.
We share 2 lunches a week and one member of the crew leaves the field a little early to cook and we all relax and eat together on the farmhouse porch.
 

Required Qualifications - 

• At least 2 Full seasons on an organic vegetable farm.
• Experience in greenhouse work, farmers' market and at least some degree of familiarity with tractors and farm implements.
• Able to lift 50 pounds.
• Able to work outside and on your feet in all sorts of weather.
• Able to communicate, to ask questions to clarify and to receive feedback.
• Must be 21 years old and have a valid Drivers' license.
• The ability to commit for the entire season, early March through Mid-November.

Desired Qualifications - 

• An interest in agriculture as a long term career choice.  Please DO NOT look at this position as a "break from your real life".
• Strong organizational and multiplayer-tasking skills.
• An out-going, community-minded, easy going and flexible personality.
• A commitment to organic agriculture, sustainability and positive group dynamics.
• Some degree of customer service skills.
• Other great skills to have on the farm!
• Carpentry, basic mechanic know-how, design and marketing, writing and communication, cooking, making herbal tinctures, and annual flower care.  Creativity, a positive attitude, an intuitively strong work ethic, a love for the outdoors and nature and of course, vegetables, all make you a great candidate for the position.

Check out the farm's website  - www.blackkettlefarm.com and on Instagram at - blackkettlefarm Compensation this position is : hourly, varies DOE, $12.50 - $14.50 Application instructions Deadlineno deadline