Company description
Schoolhouse Farm is an 18-acre orchard and chef-driven micro-farm in the Hudson Valley. We grow traditional cider and heirloom apples, rare and heritage fruits, berries, culinary herbs, and specialty vegetables for leading restaurants and beverage producers in New York City and the Hudson Valley.
Our goal is to steward a resilient agricultural landscape while building long-term relationships with chefs and cider makers who value flavor, rarity, and transparency of sourcing.
Job description
Orchard and Farm Manager
Schoolhouse Farm – Hudson Valley, New York
Schoolhouse Farm is an 18-acre orchard and chef-driven micro-farm growing cider and heirloom apples, rare fruits, berries, herbs, and specialty vegetables for leading restaurants and beverage producers in New York City and the Hudson Valley. The farm focuses on flavor, rarity, and transparent sourcing while stewarding a resilient agricultural landscape.
We are seeking an experienced, organized, and thoughtful Orchard and Farm Manager to lead the next phase of the farm’s development. This is a leadership role combining hands-on growing with planning, team management, and operational oversight. The ideal candidate has strong experience in orchard systems, organic management, and diversified specialty production, and can lead a small team while maintaining high standards.
Position Overview
The Orchard and Farm Manager is responsible for overall farm operations, long-term planning, and execution across all production systems, including:
Cider and heirloom apple orchards
Grafted and top-worked specialty fruit blocks
Greenhouse and high tunnel systems (including rare citrus, nursery stock, and experimental crops)
Berries, herbs, and specialty vegetables
Soil health and regenerative systems
This role works closely with ownership, consultants, chefs, and seasonal staff.
Core Responsibilities
Orchard & Perennial Systems
Manage orchard planning, planting, pruning, spraying, thinning, harvest, and post-harvest handling
Oversee grafting, varietal conversion, and orchard expansion
Maintain organic certification and records; support future regenerative initiatives
Implement integrated pest and disease management
Lead soil health, composting, and fertility planning
Specialty Crops & Greenhouse
Oversee greenhouse and high tunnel setup and production
Plan and manage seasonal plantings
Develop propagation systems for orchard and specialty crops
Team Leadership
Hire, train, and manage seasonal staff (including H-2A workers if needed)
Foster a strong, accountable team culture
Lead daily workflow and production planning
Ensure safe and efficient equipment use
Chef & Client Coordination
Coordinate harvest timing and deliveries
Maintain quality and post-harvest standards
Communicate crop availability and projections
Collaborate on varietal trials and specialty production
Operations & Planning
Develop annual farm plans and contribute to long-term strategy
Manage budgets, inputs, and purchasing with ownership
Track yields and production metrics
Oversee infrastructure projects (irrigation, fencing, greenhouse expansion)
Coordinate with cider and fermentation partners
Support upkeep of residential and ornamental areas
Qualifications
5+ years managing orchards and diversified crops
Strong knowledge of organic and regenerative practices
Team leadership experience
Familiarity with Hudson Valley growing conditions preferred
Strong planning, budgeting, and recordkeeping skills
Experience with grafting or propagation preferred
Valid driver’s license and equipment proficiency needed to fulfill job duites
Ability to obtain NYS Private Pesticide Applicator’s License
Personal Attributes
Long-term, stewardship mindset
Clear communicator
Organized, reliable, detail-oriented
Interested in working with chefs and producers
Balances practicality with experimentation
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $75,000–$90,000 (based on experience)
14 paid vacation days (increasing with tenure)
10 federal holidays + 5 NY sick days
Health insurance (75% employer-paid)
Simple IRA with employer match
This is a full-time, year-round role. Peak outdoor production runs March–November, with winter focused on pruning and greenhouse work.
Why This Role Is Unique
Schoolhouse Farm is a chef-driven agricultural project centered on flavor, rarity, and long-term soil health—not commodity production. The manager will help shape the farm’s future, from orchard expansion to rare crop trials and cider-focused plantings.
Additional Information
Relocation support may be considered; housing is not provided. Candidates must arrange their own transportation.
This is a physically demanding role requiring outdoor work in varied conditions, lifting up to 50 lbs, and operating equipment.
Compensation
this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $75,000.00 - $90,000.00
Application instructions
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Deadline
no deadline