Company description

Located within metro Atlanta, Martin’s Garden at Coleman Farms is an established urban farm located 20 miles outside of Atlanta, Georgia.  Now entering its eighth growing season, the farm has deep connections to the community that have supported a wide variety of sales outlets (including 50+ member CSAs, on and off-site Saturday markets and sales to network of local restaurants).  Martins Garden’s next Farmer Manager will be able to set the direction of the farm that best suits their experience and vision! 

The farm is committed to producing high quality vegetables using organic and sustainable practices (although not organically certified).  We are uniquely situated in the heart of Roswell, Georgia, voted Georgia’s top city to live in, and established ourselves with strong ties to the community and a sense of charity that has consistently attracted a strong volunteer base.  

The farm site is 7 acres in total with a one-acre plot fenced and dedicated to vegetable production.  Our 30’ x 70’ greenhouse is in excellent condition and more than ample to provide all vegetable starts for our garden and plant starts for sale in the Spring and Fall. Red clay soil has been heavily amended over the past several years with compost and cover crops. All key ingredients are in place for a farmer to hit the ground running and be successful.

Job description

This is a truly unique opportunity for a Farmer who has both experience and vision to steward a small farm into a thriving urban farm enterprise within metro Atlanta.  The owners are local, committed agriculture enthusiasts who want to support farming and community connection, but are open to letting the right person determine the best path to accomplish that overarching vision. 

Martin’s Garden seeks an experienced, entrepreneurial full-time farmer to build a self- sustaining farm enterprise. 

YOU ARE A STRONG CANDIDATE IF:

• You are an experienced, community-minded, entrepreneurial, collaborative farmer seeking to manage and build a viable urban farm enterprise.
• You are able to demonstrate prior experience including some farm management experience and are prepared to create: 1) a strawman business plan that outlines your sales channels and b) budget estimates to ultimately reach profitability.
• You are willing to take the lead in being the primary farmer that rolls up their sleeves to get the farming work done.  While the right candidate will have agency to hire resources that best fits their business model, history suggests that part-time and volunteers are most appropriate, given the substantial salary paid to the Farmer Manager. 

The farm owners are committed to a long-term relationship and are offering: (1) Annual Salary Increases; (2) Profit Sharing; and (3) Opportunities For Future Farm Expansion.

HIGH-LEVEL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

The ideal candidate has a complete understanding of farm management, business acumen, and able to take responsibility for:

1. Managing and operating all aspects of production from crop planning to post harvest handling and distribution for customers (which may include weekly farm stand, CSA, and/or restaurants based upon farmer’s proposed model)
2. Managing part-time staff/volunteers in support of production.
3. The Farmer-Manager will bring their own ideas to set production and sales channels.

 

HIGH-LEVEL INFORMATION ABOUT MARTIN’S GARDEN 

• Since its inception 8 years ago, Martin’s Garden has used organic practices in its operations.
• Martin’s Garden has excellent facilities, well-maintained farm infrastructure, and all the equipment needed to hit the ground running, including (1) Well and City Water; (2) Drip Irrigation; (3) a heated greenhouse/propagation house, (4) a BCS walk behind tractor with implements; (5) Paper-pot Transplanter; (6) Jang and Earthway seeders; (7) Polaris; and (8) Hands Tools.
• Martin’s Garden has historically been supported by a CSA Operations/Volunteer Coordinator, a Summer Farm Worker,  and a committed, stable group of volunteers. 

OPPORTUNITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Farming

• Develop and implement seasonal crop plan, planting and harvesting schedule to serve desired sales channels.
• Be primary farmer responsible for execution of production.
• Coordinate summer/part-time help and volunteers in planting, harvesting and other needs
• Utilize sustainable organic agricultural methods, including weed/pest management, development of soil structure through composting and other organic methods
• Maintain field, irrigation systems and greenhouse in good working order

Operations and Finance

• Manage part-time staff and volunteers.
• Track farm operations data, including crop plans, harvest log, germination rate, planting schedule, growth tracking, compost production and soil nutrient management
• Purchase/maintain farming supplies, tools/equipment
• Ensure property is maintained for safety
• Along with farm owners, co-create annual budget for farm related activities and track performance

Participate with Farm Owners in Community Building

• Communicate with customers, respond to emails, messages, etc.
• Provide current content for website/advertisements as needed
• Coordinate/support appreciation gatherings for volunteers and/or CSA members
• Participate in occasional short farm tours for charitable events, community groups, etc.
• Preference for help with feeding and collecting eggs of farm animals (12 chickens, 5 ruminants)
• Farm is operated on owner’s personal land that is occasionally rented or used for charity events so must be maintained neatly.

SKILLS AND QUALITIES REQUIRED

1. A minimum of 3 years’ experience in vegetable farming production together with at least 1 year of experience in farm management.
2. Strong entrepreneurial spirit with a willingness to implement new ideas and adapt to what is working while pursuing operational excellence.
3. A willingness and ability to work outdoors in all types of weather, under potentially strenuous conditions-preparedness and a positive attitude are essential for success.
4. A strong desire to produce food of the highest nutritional quality.
5. A desire to connect to and educate the community.
6. A desire to continue to learn and grow. We will support that by connecting you to resources (e.g. Georgia Organics, etc.)
7. Exceptional interpersonal skills and timely responses to effectively work with customers, volunteers, community members and charities.
8. A detail-oriented approach, with attention to order and cleanliness.

HOURS

Hours vary throughout the year.  An experienced farmer will understand that this could require up to 60 hours/week during highest peak-season but winter hours are significantly reduced with substantial downtime.  This position requires a disciplined self-starter with time-management skills. However, a high level of flexibility allows the right candidate to determine when/how tasks are completed.

 
COMPENSATION

This is an exempt full-time salaried position for the right person that is looking for a long-term farming opportunity. Initial compensation will be determined based upon experience with a base salary in the $40,000 to $50,000 range and the potential for a housing stipend. For an individual committed to a long-term relationship and showing signs of growth and success, Martin’s Garden will offer annual salary increases, profit sharing and opportunities for future expansion.

 

 

Compensation

this position is: salaried, 50k-75k

Application instructions

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Deadline

November 15, 2024