Urban Farmhand-Greenhouse Management City BItty Farm
- Date Posted September 15, 2019
- Location Kansas City, MO
- Category Agriculture / Production
- Job type Full-Time
About City Bitty Farm:
City Bitty Farm (CBF) is a year-round greenhouse operation that grows microgreens and specialty vegetables for restaurants and institutions throughout the Kansas City metro. The campus of CBF is also home to the offices of Four Season Tools (FST). FST is a sustainable agriculture solutions company that specializes in year-round farming solutions including greenhouses, movable and fixed high tunnels, and farm development consultation.
About the Position:
Our ideal candidate has a passion for local, year-round, nutritious food production and a sincere eagerness to learn. We are looking for someone to oversee day-to-day operations of City Bitty Farm and its campus. The high production at CBF requires frequent germinating, watering, harvesting, washing and packaging greens to be delivered to local restaurant and corporate clients twice a week, 52 weeks a year.
CBF is a dynamic work environment where processes and responsibilities change and evolve over time. We desire candidates who exhibit a positive attitude and willingness to work hard and take responsibility. The individual employed in the position must always respect food safety practices.
CBF is an established farm serving Kansas City and the region for 10 years. CBF is one of the largest urban farms in the Midwest and is focused on production. Owned by two mechanical engineers, including a farm/greenhouse design engineer, CBF relies on systems, solutions, and incremental improvement. The continuous production and propagation coupled with evolving and innovative systems make CBF a unique opportunity with incredible learning potential for someone interested in a career in food production.
Essential Job Functions:
- Greenhouse production (germination, care and watering, harvesting, washing, and packaging of specialty produce).
- Assist with improvements and upkeep to farm infrastructure (e.g. production greenhouses, garden beds, surrounding property, etc.)
- Work with staff on further farm and campus improvements and expansions
- Maintain Food Safety standards and document practices
- Maintain positive client relationships
- Keep and manage inventory of seeds, compost, & supplies as well as handle procurement of materials.
- Ensure proper invoicing, billing, and filing of customer orders.
- Track climate, growing data & expenses, submitting receipts & payments to accounting
- Assign and oversee general greenhouse and farm chores, including sowing, germination, watering and harvesting of produce, as well as campus and infrastructure maintenance.
- Assist in marketing & public relations, always promoting a positive brand image for FST & CBF.
Experience Requirements:
- Applicants with good driving record and sales skills may be considered for client interaction opportunities.
- Knowledge of food production, market gardening/farming
- Experience leading and managing employees
- Familiarity with Food Safety
Desired Skills:
- Applicant must be able to work with a small staff & work well with others in a production environment.
- Applicant must have strong organizational skills, ability to work independently & meet timelines.
- Applicant must be able to articulate themselves well to clients, tour groups, & other employees.
- Applicant must be flexible, have well-developed interpersonal skills & be able to multi-task.
- Applicant must be able to safely operate & be comfortable with power tools, gas equipment and some heavy machinery.
- Applicant must be trustworthy, have a strong moral character, & be willing for CBF to perform a background check.
- A resume and application will both need to be submitted to be eligible for hire. An application will be sent once a resume is received and considered.