Position Summary

Launched in 2015, the Farminary at Princeton Theological Seminary forms leaders for service in the church and the world by integrating theological education with small-scale regenerative agriculture at the seminary’s 21-acre farm. Over the past seven years it has grown from a single seminary graduate course and a 40 x 60 ft vegetable garden to a space that holds numerous educational programs (graduate courses, workshops, conferences, volunteer opportunities), campus-wide composting, a roughly half-acre garden, a 70-hen flock of layers, and 400 broilers per year. Produce from the farm goes to campus dining, a 35-member CSA (with 10 shares given to mutual aid), and a local restaurant. Princeton Seminary seeks a Farm Manager who can guide the continued growth of farm operations at the Farminary. The ideal candidate will be able to build upon and implement improved farm systems, supervise student workers, and be excited to teach farm skills formally and informally to seminary students, employees, volunteers, and visitors. Women and candidates from underrepresented communities are especially encouraged to apply.

Title

Farminary Farm Manager

Status

Full-Time Exempt

Flexible start date

Compensation

Salary commensurate with experience and expertise, plus benefits and on-farm housing

Purpose

To oversee and manage agricultural operations at the Farminary and align the vitality of the farm with the strategic goals of the seminary

Supervision

Reports to the Director of the Farminary

Responsibilities

Cooperate with Farminary leadership (Director of Farminary, dining, faculty, facilities) in seeking the fulfillment of the educational and formational mission of the Farminary at Princeton Theological Seminary.

In ways that maximize the participation of the Princeton Seminary community in the practices of regenerative agriculture and ecological attunement, oversee all farm operations at the Farminary utilizing small-scale, organic, and regenerative methods. (See position summary above for brief description of current operations.)

Teach members of the Farminary community the skills and proficiencies of regenerative agriculture and ecological attunement. This happens through the management of a team of student workers and guidance of farm work for those participating in Farminary programming (courses, conferences, workshops, volunteer groups, etc.).

In coordination with the Director of the Farminary, implement the Farminary’s agricultural master plan. This plan currently calls for the careful scaling of farm production in order to expand the scope and impact of the integration between Farminary and campus dining. The plan anticipates ongoing composting, a 1-2 acre vegetable garden, expanded poultry operations and the addition of pigs.

Work closely with the Director of Hospitality and Dining Services, ensuring alignment of seasons, quantities, and varieties of farm produce with expectations and menus within dining. One aim of this integration is that farming and dining would positively shape and reflect our unique identity as a Christian learning community.

Coordinate farm labor of seminary student workers, volunteers, seminary classes, and other groups (conferences, workshops, etc.) that visit the Farminary.

In coordination with the Director of the Farminary, develop and implement a viable business plan for the farm.

Create relationships with local farmers.

Provide diligent oversight of the farm budget and actively seek to keep costs low without sacrificing quality and excellence.

Qualifications

Embrace the Farminary’s formational mission as part of Princeton Theological Seminary

Bachelor’s degree required

Minimum five years experience in regenerative agricultural practices including composting, vegetable production, small animal husbandry, and soil health

Proficiency in teaching and guiding the skills and practices of regenerative agriculture to a wide range of people with widely varying degrees of experience and expertise, including graduate students, faculty, volunteers, and other participants in Farminary programming.

Strong communication skills

Strong relational skills

Ability to work well within a team environment

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, for the purposes of farm record-keeping.

Affection for compost required

Degree in theology welcomed