We are looking for an experienced vegetable production grower to manage the first full season of production at New Roots Community Farm near Fayetteville, West Virginia. This community farm model will engage in sustainable agriculture production of specialty crops; offer training opportunities, land leasing, marketing, provide aggregation infrastructure and access to regional markets. This project will strengthen relationships between producers and consumers, and feature opportunities to engage community members, students, and tourists in farm activities and workshops.  

The Production Manager will be responsible for managing the day to day operations of a 2-acre vegetable production system. This includes in field, high tunnel, and greenhouse management. Last year, infrastructure completed for the vegetable production farm included install of an 8’ high fixed knot deer fence, a 36’ x 48’ building that includes tool storage, office space, cold storage facility, and an attached area for vegetable washing. There are currently two high tunnels and a greenhouse will be purchase in the summer of 2020. The field system is based on a two-wheel tractor production scheme with 30’’ beds. The production Manager will work directly with our Farm Director to manage and execute all activities to run a successful production farm that will facilitate training and demonstration activities needed to meet grant outcomes. 

The Production Manager is an employee of the Fayette County Commission, supervised by the Farm Director and Fayette County Resource Coordinator. This is a one-year, full-time, salaried position eligible for a full benefits package. This is a multi-year project supported by county and grant funds; continued employment is dependent on continued fundraising and development of farm program revenue.   

Primary Responsibilities 

• Create and maintain Farm Operational Plan (encompassing soil health, rotation, fertilizer, cover cropping, composting, high-tunnel use etc.) 
• Source and prepare purchase orders for farm equipment, supplies, and materials. 
• Oversee and carry out labor independently, and with production crew needed to accomplish tasks to run successful vegetable production farm (bed preparation, soil amending, seed starting, transplanting, pruning, trellising, pest management, harvesting, washing, grading, packaging, and some marketing of product) 
• Schedule farm work needs with other production crew. 
• Work with Farm Director to prepare for GAP audit/certification.  
• Maintain and enforce the record keeping required for GAP certification farm food safety and/or organic certification requirements 
• Work with Farm Director, and partners to support area farmers in developing production plans, designing trainings, and building a peer network for area farmers. 
• Regular communication with Farm Director 
• Maintain filing system for all farm records including timesheets 
• Work with Farm Director to develop Annual Budget and Revenue projections for vegetable production. 
• Maintain a highly organized and functional production, office, cold storage, and wash space at the farm. 
• Assist in design, procurement of materials, implementation and construction of infrastructure upgrades 
• Provide information needed to Farm Director for grant reporting criteria 

Desired Qualifications 

• Minimum 4 years of vegetable farming experience.  
•  Educational requirements: GED or equivalent, 2 year degree or equivalent combination of experience and education. 
• One year of Farm or Production Management 
• Knowledge of soil management, plant pathology, pest management strategies, season extension, and agroecological farming 
• Experience with crop planning software and intensive production (sequential planting systems) 
• Ability to operate farm machinery and tools.  
• Comfortable lifting 60lbs and working in harsh weather conditions 
• Proficiency in Microsoft