Company description
Our Mission
Ignite a lifelong love for fresh food
What We Do
We create programs that educate and excite young students about healthy food AND increase students’ access to those healthy foods.
Why We Do It
Because every student has the right to accessible, fresh, healthy food.
Because positive habits are more likely to persist into adulthood if they’re established before 6th grade.
Job description
Apple Seeds Farm Lead
Full-time, salaried position with exempt status
Little Rock, AR
About Apple Seeds
Apple Seeds is a nonprofit organization that works to educate and excite children about fresh fruits and vegetables while increasing access to healthy food in Northwest and Central Arkansas. Our mission is to ignite a lifelong love for healthy food. Apple Seeds offers experiential garden and culinary based education through programs on our Teaching Farm and in schools, and provides support of fresh produce to local school pantries. Through this work, our programs reach over 21,000 students a year. For more information about Apple Seeds, visit https://appleseedsar.org/.
Job Description
The Farm Lead will be responsible for the development and management of Apple Seeds’ 2-acre teaching farm in Central Arkansas. This role ensures that farm operations effectively support educational programming, produce distribution, events, and community involvement opportunities.
Responsibilities:
Plan and implement year-round crop production using sustainable practices
Lead the development of the garden, high tunnel, greenhouse, orchard, irrigation systems, and supporting infrastructure at new site in Central Arkansas
Oversee the ongoing care and maintenance of grounds, buildings, and infrastructure
Align planting and harvest schedules with program, event, and donation needs
Ensure compliance with food safety standards (GAP)
Lead produce harvesting, packing, and distribution for donations, programs, and events
Supervise interns and volunteers
Plan and facilitate regular volunteer workdays
Foster a positive, inclusive, and safety-oriented work environment
Develop monthly and weekly work plans
Maintain systems for tracking production, harvest data, and outputs
Utilize designated budgets and financial tracking systems for purchases and resource allocation according to Apple Seeds policies
Ensure proper maintenance of tools, equipment, and vehicles
Serve as a welcoming and knowledgeable representative of Apple Seeds
Lead and welcome volunteers and other community members for opportunities such as tours and public workshops
Support partnerships with schools, universities, and community organizations
Contribute to fundraising events and organizational initiatives
Skills and Qualifications
Minimum of 1 year of professional experience in sustainable agriculture, farm management, or related field
Demonstrated knowledge of crop production, soil health, and organic practices
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
Proficiency in Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office
Commitment to Apple Seeds’ mission and values of the organization
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supervising staff, interns, or volunteers
Experience working in nonprofit or educational settings
Experience managing grant-related reporting or program outputs
Familiarity with food safety protocols (e.g., GAP certification, food safety certification)
Additional Job Requirements:
Ability to perform physically demanding work, including lifting up to 50 lbs. and operating equipment
Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
Valid driver’s license and ability to operate farm vehicles and equipment
Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends
Agree to and pass a criminal background check
Hours:
Full time, 40 hours per week
Apple Seeds standard work hours are 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Farm Lead will frequently have an adjusted work schedule based on weather and volunteer availability
Occasional early mornings and evenings will be expected. 2-3 Saturday mornings per month (March-October) expected to facilitate garden volunteers
Benefits:
Starting annual salary of $40,000
Full-time employees are eligible for health insurance after 60 days, with Apple Seeds covering 50% of the premium. Additional family members can be added at extra cost. Vision and Dental Benefits are included
SIMPLE IRA with a 3% employer match
Benefits include 15 days of paid vacation/personal leave, 14 days of holiday vacation, and up to 6 days of paid sick leave annually
Compensation
this position is: salaried, $35,568* - $50,000
Application instructions
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Deadline
no deadline