Company description

Pie Ranch (pieranch.org) is a unique food system education center located on a diversified regenerative farm on the San Mateo Coast, about 55 miles south of San Francisco. The home site of Pie Ranch includes two parcels, 27-acres in total. These neighboring pieces of land are each shaped like a slice of pie, and also grow the ingredients to make pie. In 2018 we began leasing 418-acres to the north at Cascade Ranch where we are building up a regenerator program for new farmers and land-based businesses. Pie Ranch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to food education, regenerative agriculture, and community learning.

Job description

The Cascade Ranch Ag Equipment and Farm Infrastructure Specialist will typically perform a variety of duties, which may include but not be limited to farm operations as well as infrastructure support. The position is based at Cascade Ranch, a 416-acre Regenerator farm.

This position requires a strong practical knowledge of agricultural skills and farm management; ability to and mentor adults in sustainable agriculture practices, skills & concepts; experience and ability to manage infrastructure and repairs; experience working at a rural farm setting; interest in learning more about the Pie Ranch Farm Regenerator program, and a deep commitment to food justice and social change.

This is a full-time, year-round position. This position works in collaboration with other Pie Ranch staff and reports to the Directors of Farmer and Rancher Opportunities

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Farm Fields Management: 60%

• Supports overall farm vision for regenerator farm program activities.
• Support and participate in the annual crop plan and seed order.
• Perform tractor work in fields and orchards, plan and manage cultivation activities; maintain equipment.
• Coordinate field preparation for planting.
• Coordinate the delivery of irrigation water from reservoirs and ponds to crop production and pasture areas.
• Schedule and monitor irrigations for transition fields and pastures.
• Support insect and weed control, soil fertility monitoring, and general field monitoring
• Supports the maintenance of thorough records of all farm activities.

Regenerator Farmers - Mentorship: 10%

• Mentor Regenerator Farmers in some aspects of growing, maintaining and harvesting vegetables, fruits, flower crops, and herbs organically, including but not limited to: crop rotation & planning, greenhouse & direct sowings, field irrigation, bed preparation, planting, fertility, pest and pathogen management, and cultivation techniques. Also in some aspects of farm infrastructure management and farming fields management.

Farm Infrastructure Management: 25%

• Participate in the development, management, and maintenance of farm infrastructure plans.
• Coordinate maintenance and repair of all farm vehicles and equipment and make sure that they are always in proper working order and maintenance logs are up to date.
• Management, care and maintenance of landscape and farmscape, including mowing, weeding, trimming hedges, thinning trees and bushes.
• Keeping work and storage areas clean and organized.
• Purchase and keep track of fuel and shop supplies.
• Maintain inventory of farm equipment and tools.
• Drive and operate the various vehicles including but not limited to, trucks, tractors, forklifts, excavation equipment, and field implements

Other Responsibilities: 5%

• Attend operations and all staff meetings; subcommittee meetings;
• Assist and participate in Annual Fundraiser Event as needed.
• Facilitate occasional farm activities with groups.
• Represent Pie Ranch by attending outside conferences, workshops, and events.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 5 years of full-season agricultural experience.
• A minimum of 3 years of full-season farm management, including year-long farm planning and weekly schedules.
• Deep understanding of the skills and concepts of sustainable/regenerative agriculture and integrated crop and animal production.
• Deep knowledge of farm infrastructure.
• Ability to represent Pie Ranch with members of the public and work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated supervisory and training skills with farm workers and volunteers—able to comfortably provide hands-on group and individual instruction to workers and apprentices of diverse ages and backgrounds.
• Enjoy working with people; be self-motivated, and have an interest in and a commitment to Pie Ranch’s mission.
• Ability to work independently as well as with a group, and possess creativity, flexibility and the ability to problem-solve and take initiative.
• Experience working collaboratively in a team environment with successful outcomes.
• Strong ability in operating tractors; farm machinery/small-engine maintenance, welding and repair experience.
• Strong knowledge & experience with soil fertility management, weed management, pest & disease control, greenhouse management, harvest and post-harvest handling.
• Strong knowledge & experience with drip & overhead irrigation set up & operation.
• Experience with and interest in livestock management.
• Basic carpentry and general building maintenance skills.
• Experience and interest in working with diverse populations -different ages and various economic, social and political backgrounds.
• Possess qualities of self-motivation, time management, flexibility and cooperation.
• Strong communication skills; ability to work with team and community members respectfully and with patience.
• Desire for long-term commitment and growth.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting and moving materials up to approximately 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Walk and work outdoors for extended periods (up to 3–4 miles per day) across varied terrain, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Wake up early, and do physical labor 40+hrs/wk.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

Work takes place in the field, shop, and office settings.
This position may work occasional weekends and evenings.
Ability to perform hard and repetitive physical work.
Professional, friendly, and enthusiastic personality.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline