Company description
Uncommons Farm is an 18-acre orchard and chef-driven micro-farm in the Hudson Valley. We grow traditional culinary, cider, and heirloom apples, stone fruit, 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.
We are seeking an experienced, thoughtful, and highly organized Orchard Manager to help lead the next phase of Uncommons Farm.
Uncommons Farm is not a commodity farm.
We are building a chef-driven agricultural estate rooted in rarity, flavor, and long-term soil health. The Orchard Manager will play a foundational role in shaping the next decade of this landscape - from orchard expansion to rare fruit trials to cider-specific blocks designed for fermentation programs.
This is an opportunity to steward land intentionally, work with ambitious culinary partners, and help build one of the Hudson Valley’s most distinctive agricultural projects.
This is a leadership role for someone with deep experience in holistic orchard systems and strong organic management skills. The ideal candidate is a strong grower and passionate land steward who can also plan, organize, and lead a small orchard team. The successful candidate should also be able to coordinate, organize, and lead a like-minded orchard team.
Job description
The Orchard Manager is responsible for the overall management, development, and long-term vision of Schoolhouse Farm's orchard operations. This role combines hands-on orchard work with leadership, planning, financial oversight, and collaboration with ownership and culinary partners.
Oversees all aspects of perennial fruit systems, including:
Existing and New apple, pear, and stone fruit orchards
Top-worked and grafted specialty apple trees
Small fruit and berry systems
Perennial and experimental plantings
Soil health and regenerative orchard-floor systems
This role reports directly to ownership and works closely with consultants, chef partners, beverage collaborators, and seasonal staff.
Core-Responsibilities
Orchard & Perennial Systems Management
Oversee orchard planning, planting, pruning, spraying, thinning, harvest, and post-harvest handling schedules and management programs.
Manage grafted and top-worked, varietal conversion, and orchard expansion projects
Apply for and maintain organic certification standards and recordkeeping, and pursue potential biodynamic and regenerative certifications in the future.
Implement integrated, holistic pest and disease management systems that align with the farm and orchard strategic vision and certification compliance standards.
Lead long-term soil health strategy, compost systems, and fertility planning
Manage rootstock selection, grafting schedules, and young tree care
Equipment Operation and Maintenance
Experience with safe, efficient, and appropriate operation of standard orchard equipment, such as tractors, air-blast sprayers, mowers, and wood chippers.
Ability to properly maintain and repair standard orchard equipment including routine maintenance and upkeep as well as manage non-standard maintenance and repairs.
Experience with proper calibration of sprayers and fertilizer-spreaders.
Manage proper rotation of equipment to avoid obsolescence, untimely breakdowns, excessive repairs, and loss of operational efficiency.
Team-Leadership
Hire, train, and manage seasonal farm staff, including, as needed, the management and hiring of H2A workers for seasonal farm and orchard work
Build a strong, respectful, high-accountability farm culture
Lead daily work planning and weekly production meetings
Ensure safe and efficient use of equipment and facilities
Client-Coordination
Coordinate harvest timing and deliveries with restaurant and beverage partner
Maintain high standards for quality, consistency, and post-harvest handling
Communicate seasonal crop availability and projections
Collaborate on new varietal trials and specialty plantings
Operations/Planning
Develop annual orchard plans and contribute to longer-term orchard development planning
Develop and manage the orchard operating budget and input purchasing in concert with ownership and the support team
Track yields, crop performance, and production metrics
Oversee orchard infrastructure projects (irrigation, fencing, deer exclusion, trellising)
Contribute to the care and presentation of residential areas of the farm, including lawn management and maintenance of ornamental plantings
Qualifications
5+ years of experience managing orchards and diversified specialty crop systems
Strong knowledge of organic orchard, regenerative management, and soil health practices
Experience leading and supervising farm teams
Familiarity with Hudson Valley climate and pest pressures preferred
Comfort with planning, budgeting, technology, and recordkeeping systems
Experience with grafting, propagation, or nursery production is highly desirable
Valid driver’s license
Tractor and equipment proficiency required
Basic Equipment repair and maintenance skills.
Obtain and maintain a NYS Private Pesticide Applicator’s License
Personal-Attributes
We are looking for someone who:
Thinks long-term and values land stewardship
Communicates clearly and professionally
Is highly organized, detail-oriented, and reliable
Balances pragmatism with experimentation
Compensation, Benefits, and Schedule
Starting salary: $75,000 - $90,000 (commensurate with experience)
14 non-consecutive paid vacation days (number of days increases with length of service)
10 paid federal holidays
5 NY State paid sick days
Employee-sponsored health insurance
Non-matching 401(k)
This is a full-time, year-round orchard operation. The outdoor growing season runs from March to November. Winter months (November–March) focus on pruning, grafting preparation, equipment maintenance, and planning for the season ahead.
Additional Considerations
Relocation
We welcome applications from candidates across the country who are excited about stewarding a dynamic orchard and farm in the Hudson Valley. For the right candidate, the farm may consider offering a relocation stipend to support the transition. Please note that housing is not provided for this position, and candidates are expected to arrange their own housing and reliable daily transportation to and from the farm.
Physical Requirements
This is a physically active, demanding, hands-on farming role. The Orchard Manager must be able to work extended periods outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform tasks that include lifting up to 50 lbs, bending, kneeling, climbing ladders, and operating small farm equipment. The role requires regular walking over uneven terrain and sustained participation in fieldwork.
References and Background Check
Final candidates will be asked to provide professional references who can speak to their experience managing agricultural operations, teams, and equipment. A background check will be conducted as part of the hiring process, particularly given the responsibility associated with overseeing property, staff, and farm assets.
Compensation
this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $75,000.00 - $90,000.00
Application instructions
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Deadline
November 01, 2026