City Green is a 501c(3) urban farming and gardening organization based in Clifton, NJ working to revitalize urban areas through agriculture and educational programming. It offers practical, technical and financial resources in support of environmental stewardship, equitable access to healthy food, and ecologically sustainable communities.

The Mission of the City Green Farm operation is to demonstrate sustainable and organic urban food production; increase access to local farm-fresh food; and provide meaningful job and volunteer opportunities in an agricultural setting. Through interaction with the farm operation individuals create a connection to their food; value the importance of open space; gain an appreciation for local agriculture in their own community and understand the role sustainable farming practices play in a healthy ecosystem.

City Green distributes the food we grow through a Farm Stand and Mobile Market program which aims to connect with local governments and community organizations in northern NJ to provide increased access to, and affordability of local, farm-fresh food ensuring good food is available for all. The markets are enhanced by a Double Value Coupon program that incentivizes federal food beneficiaries to purchase healthy food grown by City Green and other local farms.

Join the talented and dynamic leadership team at City Green as the Farm Manager at South Branch Preserve! Responsibilities include crop production planning and management, staff supervision, managing volunteer and visitor experiences in the fields, greenhouse production for the fields, and an opportunity to design and implement a plan to increase production at our new 12-acre farm site. The Farm Manager at South Branch Preserve will work closely with our current Farm Manager and report directly to the Executive Director. 

Our first season of production at South Branch Preserve will support our current market programs, with the intention of establishing a CSA program and farm stand on site in the coming seasons.

This is a Full-time Position (40-50 hours per week). Extended hours during peak production season as necessary to maximize production.

Farm Eco-Center, Clifton, NJ

Currently City Green has 5 fields in production at our Farm-Eco Center in Clifton, NJ and is growing over 100 varieties of organic vegetables on two and a half acres.  The farm operations at City Green value sustainable and regenerative farming practices, focusing on natural soil building techniques, crop rotation, organic pest management, intensive cover cropping strategies, and relying primarily on hand tools. This is a biointensive urban market farming operation, meaning our production is maximized per square foot, utilizing 150’ long 30” wide beds with efficient rows and spacings.  We strive to work at a fast pace and adhere to a systematic labor schedule in order to maximize production in a small space. These regenerative farming practices allow us to stand out as an example of the intersection of ecosystem restoration and agriculture. We hope to greatly improve the land we are farming on instead of depleting it. Aside from producing up to 25,000 pounds of produce per season, the Farm-Eco Center acts as an educational space, a preserved green space, and a natural habitat for native wildlife.  

City Green Farms at South Branch Preserve, Mt. Olive, NJ

The City Green Farm Manager at South Branch Preserve will oversee our first year of production on our newly acquired 12-acre farm in Mt. Olive, NJ. This land is currently preserved by the Land Conservancy of New Jersey and will be farmed by City Green in collaboration with the Land Conservancy.  Previously a family owned farm for many decades, the soil is easily workable with most large rocks removed and is fully enclosed by 8-ft deer fencing. The farm is well on its way to being outfitted for the 2019 growing season, including an on-site well with 3 irrigation hydrants, a wash/pack station, a cold room, a tractor shed, and a tool shed.  We hope to greatly improve this land by implementing regenerative, organic farming practices to grow a diverse range of vegetables.

SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Assist in planning and outfitting this new farm operation with all of the necessary infrastructure for intensive organic vegetable production.  
• Oversee the cultivation and soil amendment of new fields.
• Oversee all aspects of day-to-day farm operations from seed to harvest at City Green Farms at South Branch Preserve year-round.
• Grow a diverse range of organic vegetables to support our current market programs.
• Manage a farm crew of 2 assistant growers plus volunteer support
• Oversee ongoing soil building, remediation, and amending.
• Tractor Operation: 2018 Kubota MX5800
• Pest control and weed management
• Compost Management
• Harvest-wash-pack management.
• Maintain, care for and service all farm tools and equipment, including a Kubota MX5800 Utility Tractor
• Maintain farm fencing and repair as needed
• Maintain irrigation system
• Maintain a high standard of aesthetic for the farm

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

• Prepare and implement an organic growing plan that produces desirable produce and farm products for sale year-round, determining types of crops to be raised, according to market demand, soil conditions, etc.
• Ensure farm activities adhere to safety regulations and standards
• Maintain financial, operational, production, and volunteer records as appropriate
• Maintain detailed farm records related to production and harvest

INTERN AND VOLUNTEER SUPERVISION

• Train Farm Assistants and interns on organic farming practices and sustainable agriculture
• Supervise Farm Assistants and volunteers

MARKET, SALES AND DISTRIBUTION

• Prepare harvest for our markets, Farm to Restaurant sales, and Farm to Pantry donations
• Organize and oversee delivery of produce to our home-site in Clifton

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• Annual salary commensurate with experience
• Weekly vegetable share
• Generous paid vacation, sick and personal time
• Health Insurance Reimbursement

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of production farm experience at an organic or chemical free farm and is capable of growing at least 30,000 pounds of food from seed to harvest
• Working knowledge of, and experience operating and maintaining, a Kubota or John Deere Utility Tractor with various attachments
• Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers and working with diverse communities.
• Interest in and familiarity with issues relating to local food, food access, and sustainable agriculture.
• Strong organizational and written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Proficiency in all MS office applications.
• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, natural resources, plant science, horticulture or a related field is preferred but not required.