Assistant Farm Manager Lifeline Produce
- Date Posted January 19, 2021
- Location Stevensville, MT
- Category Agriculture
- Job type Full-Time
Lifeline Produce is an amazing place to work! Located in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, we farm on 80 acres with 15+ acres of organic vegetables and herbs, hoop houses, a greenhouse, and a bedding plant operation. We care for laying hens, sheep and 30+ beef cattle. We produce our own bio-diesel on-site to power all of our tractors and vehicles, and we maintain over 25 KW of solar panels to offset our power needs.
You will be part of a tight-knit crew, working cooperatively and having a great time as we move quickly in the fields with views of the Bitterroots. We are proud to be a mid-scale production farm that prioritizes soil health, and we have been recognized as a leader in regenerative agriculture. We provide fresh and flavorful local produce to well established grocery wholesale accounts, thriving farmers markets, food pantries, as well as retailers, delis, and restaurants across western Montana, and starting in 2020, we now operate a commercial kitchen for processing select vegetables.
We are also co-founders of the Montana Sustainable Growers Union and early members of the Western Montana Growers Cooperative, and we are very dedicated to training new farmers to be successful.
Nothing makes us more proud than seeing how our current workers have added to their responsibilities and skills while working here, and how many of our former farm workers have gone on to start and manage impressive farms of their own.
We're looking for a talented, enthusiastic farmer to step into a role with great opportunities for leadership and rewarding work. The Assistant Farm Manager will work with the Farm Manager (Drew) and farm owners (Steve and Luci) to ensure that we have healthy soils, thriving plants, happy customers and an energized crew!
The Assistant Farm Manager will be involved with many aspects of the operation including:
- Leading Harvest Teams
- Planting, Weeding, and Pest Control
- Irrigation
- Tractor Operation, Tillage and Cultivation
Applicants should plan to stay with us for at least two seasons, and hopefully longer, in order to learn our farm's systems and be able to put them into practice, and work to improve them.
The ideal candidate:
- has at least two seasons of experience working on a farm;
- is self-motivated to work quickly and efficiently, either alone or in a group, whether the task at hand is time sensitive or monotonous;
- has experience leading others and providing constructive feedback, setting a quick pace, and teaching new skills to less experienced co-workers;
- is able to take on responsibility for a major area of the farm's production independently and keep on task and on schedule;
- is positive, enthusiastic, and has the ability to see the big picture while paying close attention to detail;
- can reliably keep on top of record keeping related to your work;
- is able to work all day on their feet lifting heavy things whether it’s raining, sweltering or beautiful out;
- is able to lift 50 lbs.
Hours:
- This is a year-round position, with a flexible schedule during the winter months.
- 5-6 days/week, depending on the time of year.
- We work 7 – 11 hours a day, depending on the time of year.
Compensation:
- Starting pay is $15/hour, depending on experience.
- Free organic vegetables from the farm.
- Housing and variable rent may be available at one of our on-farm living spaces.
- Workers' Compensation, Unemployment Insurance
- Retirement plan benefits for long-term employees