Company description

The Desert Farming Initiative (DFI) began in 2013, and is a collaboration between the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station (NAES), and Cooperative Extension. DFI is a diversified commercial farm at UNR which serves as a demonstration, education, outreach, and research farming program. The program has two farm locations on NAES land, and is comprised of multiple hoop houses, greenhouses, the capacity to produce 12 acres of row crops, and a 2-acre vineyard. Currently there is a variety of fruits and vegetables grown for commercial sale to local wholesale and retail markets across the greater Reno area. DFI supports student hands-on learning, UNR research, demonstration of desert crop production, and outreach to the agricultural industry.

Job description

The Desert Farming Initiative at the University of Nevada, Reno seeks to fill a full-time Faculty position as the Farm Production Manager. This position will be an integral component of the University of Nevada, Reno, the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources. The Farm Production Manager (FPM) will directly report to, and work closely with the Program Manager. The position will oversee, manage, coordinate, and execute the production and harvest of all vegetable and fruit crop operations at two field station sites for the UNR Desert Farming Initiative. The incumbent will be responsible for organizing and managing all farm employees, including the Assistant Farm Manager, farm employees, student employees, interns, and volunteers.

Working closely with the Program Manager, the Farm Production Manager will develop crop plans, implement a pest management plan, soil fertility and crop nutrition plan, and research and order agricultural products as needed. The incumbent will install, develop, and maintain drip and overhead irrigation infrastructure, and is responsible for executing all crop irrigation requirements. The incumbent executes all tractor work with precision; oversees and insures the proper management of all tractor equipment; and may be required to research new and innovated precision row crop equipment for demonstration. In addition, the incumbent will work closely with the DFI Education Program Coordinator, and Program Manager to implement and execute the farm’s Food Safety plan, Good Agricultural Practice certification, and greenhouse organic certification. The DFI has three primary goals: provide an educational program in sustainable farming systems for desert climates; provide research and hands-on educational experience to UNR faculty, students, the agricultural industry and community; and demonstrate working agricultural systems in desert climates.

The Farm Production Manager will play a critical role in achieving these goals on the ground, and maintaining a highly productive farm that serves these goals to the highest capacity. The Farm Production Manager will also be expected to contribute to the innovation of advancing DFI farming systems with alternative and sustainable practices. In addition, the position will participate in workshops and community outreach held at the Desert Farming Initiative.

Preferred Qualifications

An agriculture or natural resources related Bachelor degree, with at least 4 years of farm management employment on a diversified row crop vegetable and fruit farm. The ideal will also obtain years of experience working in lower level positions on a farm, such as a farm intern, field worker, crew leader, or assistant farm manager. In addition, the ideal candidate will have the skills and ability to immediately take over the day to day farm operations and lead the farm team to successfully produce a diversity of crop on 4-5 acres in year one. Additional preferred qualifications include candidates with proven experience in managing soil fertility and pesticide programs.

Total Compensation

The total compensation package (Compensation Grade B) includes a negotiable competitive salary, a rich retirement plan, health insurance options that include dental and vision, life insurance, long-term disability, thirty (30) days of sick leave provided upon start date and two (2) days of sick leave accrued per full month after the first year of service, two (2) days of annual leave accrued each full month, along with many other benefits. Additionally, there is a grant-in-aid educational benefit for faculty and dependents. For more information, please visit: https://www.unr.edu/hr/benefits

Start date is flexible. Ideal candidate can start in Fall 2019.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $40,000.00 - $57,000.00

Work visa

This employer is willing to sponsor a work visa for international applicants

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline