TRACTOR Food and Farms is a nonprofit Food Hub operating in Burnsville, NC, about 40 minutes northwest of Asheville. We work with over 50 small family farms in Western North Carolina. TRACTOR combines marketing, aggregation, and distribution for member farmers. 

We provide training to growers on:

• Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) to help farmers meet food safety requirements
• Production planning, pest and disease management
• Post harvesting handling
• Grading and packaging standards
• Season extension

We provide growers access to:

• A GAP certified and insured packing facility (including washing, packaging, and sorting equipment)
• Commercial refrigeration
• Farm equipment
• Packaging materials including grocery store PLU tags, bunch tags, and new wax boxes
• Produce delivery services

Summary:

• The Farm Manager is responsible coordinating with individual growers during all stages of vegetable and fruit production on the farmland managed by TRACTOR as well as working with growers who are on their own land and sell their products through TRACTOR.

Principle Responsibilities:

• Maintain all records in order to maintain Good Agricultural Practice certification for Bowditch and Horton farm properties.
• Will oversee management of Bowditch and Horton Farm properties
• Will recruit new growers and offer technical assistance if needed
• Responsible for maintenance of irrigation equipment and shared-use equipment
• Manage shared-use equipment and maintain accurate logs of when equipment was used and note the condition that is was rented and returned
• Assisting growers to identify and control stress from weeds, pests, diseases, and drought
• Training on post-harvest handling and proper use of equipment/implements
• Will be involved in production planning and forecasting estimates
• Assist with receiving, grading, and packaging of products
• Coordinating farm related conservation projects and new equipment
• Posting to social media platforms with farm activities and produce related updates
• Create a monthly newsletter and distribute to email list

Duties to include:

• Work with team and growers to forecast availability list throughout the season
• Create and maintain relationships with growers
• Represent TRACTOR at community events for grower/producer recruitment
• Educate growers on USDA standard
• Communicate quality standards to growers
• Communicate with growers on incoming and upcoming inventories
• Accept/Reject incoming deliveries

Competencies:

• Knowledge about product (varieties, flavor, applications, demand, pricing, seasonality)
• Knowledge of a wide range of growing practices
• Tractor skills, including a three-point hitch and farm implements
• Excellent people management skills
• Effective public speaker
• Experience with social media
• Adaptable to working outdoors in extreme weather conditions such as heat, humidity, and freezing temperatures
• Able to operate in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal reasoning skills
• Excellent computer skills and the ability to pick up on new systems and software
• Self-directed with good organizational skill and attention to detail
• Respect for others’ unique personalities

Work Environment:

The job operates in a professional office environment, in a warehouse, and on a farm. This role routinely uses technology equipment such as computers, printers, and label makers. Additionally, this position works within the community to attend meetings, lunches, dinners, and events.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, and climb stairs. The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Travel:

Day trips and potential overnight conferences

Required Education and Experience:

Farming experience is highly desired

Preferred Education and Experience:

Experience in restaurant/produce industry.  Experience with Microsoft Office products. Experience with the operation and maintenance of tractors, irrigation systems, plasticulture, and three-point hitch equipment. Pesticide license preferred but can obtain after start date.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

Clean driving record