Company description Bard College at Simon's Rock is a residential undergraduate college of the liberal arts and sciences that strives to cultivate and maintain a welcoming environment of equity and inclusion. Simon’s Rock is the nation’s only four-year college specifically designed for younger scholars. Located in Great Barrington, the college is a unit of Bard College located in Annandale-on-Hudson in New York. In 2014, Simon’s Rock opened Bard Academy at Simon’s Rock, a two year high school program for 9th- and 10th-graders on the path to starting college early. Visit us online at https://simons-rock.edu.
 

Greenagers, through its paid employment programs, internships and apprenticeships, engages teens and young adults in meaningful work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming and natural resource management. In the Berkshires and nearby New York State, our trail crews maintain existing trails and build new trails for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Trustees of Reservations, Columbia Land Conservancy and other conservation organizations. Our Farm Apprentices work with local farmers, learning animal husbandry and organic agriculture. Our volunteer teams install front-yard gardens for area families, to encourage home-based food growing. Greenagers participants learn the value of teamwork, collaboration, initiative and solid work ethics. They learn about community partnerships through collaborations with area nonprofits, businesses and organizations that both hire Greenagers and partner with Greenagers’ broader mission of youth and community engagement. We embrace the values of service and stewardship, and we support social and environmental progress in all of our work.  Visit us online at https://greenagers.org. 

Job description

Community Farm Manager for Bard College at Simon’s Rock and April Hill Conservation and Education Center.
 

Greenagers and Simon’s Rock seek a motivated, skilled, and enthusiastic farmer to manage two small educational farms and work with students in all aspects of running these agricultural ventures.  This is a full-time, year-round position.
 

The manager's primary responsibility is to oversee and maintain the farms/gardens at Bard College at Simon’s Rock (BCSR) and at April Hill, home to Greenagers.  Additionally, the manager will supervise student interns during the growing season and coordinate the educational programs at BCSR and April Hill. The manager will work closely with staff and faculty to support and develop associated programming, and coordinate the supply of produce for farmers markets and the BCSR dining hall. Depending on the season, a significant portion of work will be dedicated to administrative work, including farm development, food policies, grant writing, and curriculum development. In addition to the farms, the manager will have the opportunity as time allows to engage with the operation of the BCSR apiary and maple sugar house programs as well as with various Greenagers educational and community based programs.

Specific responsibilities include:  all aspects of seedling production, planting, field maintenance, harvesting and distribution. The position consists of the four main seasonal components. In the spring the primary responsibilities include the planning of the season's crops, starting seedlings, hiring student interns for the summer, and teaching the spring farm classes at BCSR. Summer responsibilities include the planting and maintenance of crops, supervision of interns/apprentices, coordination with BCSR Dining Services to supply produce as needed, coordination with food donation services as needed. Responsibilities in the fall are focused on programming as well as winding down farming operations. In the winter months the manager will work closely with faculty and staff of both institutions to develop long term goals, program development, and curriculum development. 

 

The Community Farm Manager will report to staff and faculty at both Simon’s Rock and Greenagers.  Time management will be an essential skill as this position requires the manager to give equal time to two different institutions.  3-5 years of agricultural employment or comparable experience through education and apprenticeships required. Excellent interpersonal skills required and prior experience managing/working with students preferred.  The ability to lift 50lbs is required. Additional skills preferable but not required: chainsaw operation; tractor operation; first-aid certified; basic knowledge of data management; agricultural research; and knowledge of state, local, and federal farming laws; social media skills.
 

There is potential for room and board at Simon’s Rock to be included for this position.
 

Salary commensurate with experience.
 

*In addition to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons, Greenagers and Simon’s Rock are committed to seeking qualified women and people of color for their staff. This is an affirmative action, equal opportunity position. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check. 

 

Compensation this position is : salaried Application instructions Deadlineno deadline