Company description

Farms Work Wonders is a nonprofit social enterprise whose mission is to ignite the spark of curiosity in Appalachian youth so they see themselves and their future in new and exciting ways. Our businesses provide local Appalachian youth real-life learning experiences and generate proceeds that are 100% reinvested back into the local community. In 2016, Farms Work Wonders started with the Wardensville Garden Market project—an organic farm and farm stand. Since opening, our enterprises have expanded to include a market, bakery, glass blowing studio, and restaurant that have created 80+ local, good-paying jobs with around half held by local high school students.

Farms Work Wonders provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Job description

OVERVIEW

We are looking for a skilled and mission-driven Vegetable Manager to continue evolving the Lewis Farm vision into the future, someone who sees farming as both craft and story, and who finds genuine satisfaction in growing food that is rooted in place and connected to community.

This role is central to the daily operation of Lewis Farm. You will own the full vegetable production cycle, from planning and planting through harvest, post-harvest handling, and food flow to our market and restaurant, while managing the financial performance of your department. You bring presence, accountability, and care to everything you do.

Beyond production, this role carries a real mentorship dimension. Working on the farm helps youth discover what it means to grow food with intention, care, and pride — and you set the tone for that experience in the way you show up every day.

If you are a farmer energized by growing food for a community while developing the next generation of agricultural talent, this might be exactly the right farm for you.

This position reports to the Enterprise Director.

MUST-HAVES

Continuous learning: There’s always more to know, and you actively seek it out. You stay curious, seek feedback, and apply what you learn to improve your team and your work.

Coaching and modeling: ‘We grow more than vegetables.’ You develop people, lead by example, and help others reach their highest potential. You hold high expectations, but always with support and appreciation. You give clear, useful feedback and model what it looks like to live our values in practice.

High volume, high efficiency: You thrive in a busy, dynamic environment. You prioritize without sacrificing quality and keep things moving — even when juggling multiple projects. You embrace new challenges and aren’t afraid to experiment.

System-minded evolution: You don’t just keep systems running — you build, refine, and rework them. You incorporate feedback, frustrations, and your own observations to continuously improve how things work.

Adaptability & problem solving: You look for multiple paths to solve problems and move thoughtfully and swiftly. You build on what works, but you’re not afraid to erase the whiteboard and re-strategize when needed.

Quality & cleanliness: You set high standards and hold yourself and your team accountable. You treat tools, materials, and spaces with respect and care for their long-term sustainability.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of one season of experience on a production vegetable farm
• Comfortability utilizing machinery, including tractor implements and BCS walk-behind tractor
• Familiarity with crop planning, pest management, and irrigation systems
• Understanding that farming is rewarding but physically demanding
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand, kneel, or crouch for extended periods
• Valid driver’s license required
• Willingness and ability to commute to Wardensville, WV if necessary

EXPECTED WORK SCHEDULE

This is a full-time position expected to work at least 40 hours a week, five days a week, inclusive of mornings, evenings, weekends, and some government holidays.

COMPENSATION

This position is classified as exempt with an annual salary starting at $43,000. In addition to competitive pay, we offer the following benefits for regular, full-time employees:

• Generous paid time off structure
• Bereavement leave
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Optional health, dental, vision, and short-term disability insurances
• Discount on market items
• Short-term limited housing assistance may be available for those relocating

ABOUT OUR FARM

Lewis Farm is a diversified organic vegetable and pasture-based livestock farm providing produce, flowers, meat, and eggs to our businesses and the local community. Our farm serves as a training opportunity for our Junior Crew: local Appalachian youth involved in all aspects of production, gaining hands-on, real-life experience.

Our farm sits on land originally inhabited by the Massawomeck and officially established as the Frye Farm in the early 1800s by one of Wardensville’s founding families. This 100-acre site is bordered by the Cacapon River, with much of its acreage in Certified Organic pasture land supporting our livestock and produce.

Lewis Farm’s intensive vegetable, fruit, and flower production takes place on approximately ⅔ of an acre. Our vegetables are Certified Organic, and we utilize lower-tillage growing methods including occultation tarps, compost mulching, and broadforking. We have established perennial fruit crops including stone fruit, strawberries, and blackberries, along with two 150-foot high tunnels, three 100-foot caterpillar tunnels, a greenhouse, packhouse, and multiple cold storage facilities.

We have established infrastructure, markets, and production systems in place and are looking for a passionate farmer to take ownership of the day-to-day vegetable operation and help take Lewis Farm to the next level.

Please read more about Lewis Farm here.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $35,568* - $50,000

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline