Pond Hill Farm is a northern Michigan agricultural tourism destination that started as a vegetable farm in 1995. It has since become a unique community ecosystem by adding an expansive canned goods product line, a full service lunch café, a winery with seven acres of vineyards, and a brewery. This has created an environment that attracts tens of thousands of customers each year who come from all around the country to enjoy the experience.

We are accepting applications for a Farm Operations Lead to assist with maintenance and development of vineyard plantings. Interested applicants, please send a cover letter, resume and two references.

Responsibilities

• Execute the vineyard management plan and assist with maintaining related records
• Daily set-up of equipment
• Perform daily and seasonal vineyard maintenance - prune and train vines, trellis maintenance, pounding and checking posts, canopy management, fertilizing and spraying, bird netting, testing fruit chemistry
• Weed control and grass mowing
• Predator control and trap maintenance
• Maintain vineyard tools, farm equipment and infrastructure e.g. trellising
• Lead organization of work for harvest days
• Assist with care U-pick small fruit crops and vegetable production on the farm
• Work along side and/or mentor interns during periods of additional labor need

Required Qualifications

• One year of landscaping, vineyard, orchard, permaculture or farm production labor
• Experience in construction, heavy equipment, tractor operation, small motorized equipment, small engine repair, equipment and tool preventative maintenance
• Valid MI driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Punctual and work schedule flexibility
• Must be able and willing to work in variable conditions (i.e. hot to cold, rain, snow, wind)
• Must be able to lift 50lbs or more
• Ability to self-motivate and stay on task while working independently or as a team

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous Vineyard/Farm/Management experience
• Possesses current MI Pesticide/Herbicide Applicators License
• Winemaking/Brewing/Fermentation experience

Compensation and Benefits

• Schedule: Full-time seasonal 40 hours per week/5 days per week; (weekdays, weekends, holidays, daytime and some evenings, including early mornings)
• Pay: $11.50 - $14.00 hourly rate dependent on experience
• Benefits: Employee discounts, CPR/AED certification