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

Job Description

The Farm Lead will be responsible for managing vegetable production, coordinating the distribution of fresh produce to families through school partners, and supporting the continued development of Apple Seeds’ 2 acre teaching farm in Central Arkansas. The farm currently includes approximately 0.75 acre dedicated to vegetable production, with plans for future expansion of growing spaces for the development of fruit production. The farm utilizes market garden systems including permanent growing beds, low tillage practices, succession planting, and season extension techniques. The Farm Lead will implement and maintain these systems while identifying opportunities for continued improvement.

Responsibilities:

Plan and implement diversified vegetable production year round using market gardening methods and sustainable growing practices.
Develop and implement seasonal crop plans, including succession planting, crop rotations, and harvest schedules aligned with educational programs, events, and produce donations.
Manage all aspects of vegetable production, including seed starting, bed preparation, direct seeding, transplanting, irrigation, cultivation, pest management, harvesting, and washing.
Maintain and improve established growing systems utilizing permanent beds, low-tillage practices, composting, cover cropping, and season extension techniques including row covers.
Ensure adherence to established food safety practices and protocols
Lead produce packing and coordinate distribution to schools and community partners to provide fresh produce to local families and support educational programs and events.
Support the continued development and maintenance of growing spaces, irrigation systems, and other farm infrastructure, including the addition of a high tunnel and orchard.
Maintain systems for tracking crop production, harvest data, and food distribution metrics
Perform routine grounds maintenance, including mowing, weed trimming and general upkeep of outdoor spaces according to organizational standards.
Monitor and address maintenance needs across farm buildings, equipment, and infrastructure, completing routine upkeep and repairs or improvements as needed.
Maintain tools, equipment, and vehicles to ensure safe and effective operations.
Manage assigned operational budgets and Apple Seeds' financial tracking systems for expenses with accordance to organizational policies.
Plan, coordinate, and facilitate regular volunteer and community engagement activities, including identifying projects, preparing materials and supplies, and organizing tasks that support priorities.
Supervise interns, part-time, or full-time team members as the site grows, including training, assigning responsibilities, monitoring performance, and providing ongoing feedback and support.
Support organization-wide initiatives including fundraising and other related assignments as necessary.

Skills and Qualifications

Passion for the mission of Apple Seeds and a commitment to the values of the organization which are respect, belonging, authenticity, engagement, and growth.
Minimum of 2 full growing seasons of hands-on experience in market gardening or small-scale farming
Experience with vegetable production, including seed starting, bed preparation, planting, irrigation, cultivation, succession planting, pest management, harvesting, washing, and packing produce.
Knowledge of market gardening methods and organic growing practices, including permanent bed systems, low-tillage practices, soil health management, and efficient small-scale production techniques.
Demonstrated experience managing responsibilities, organizing work, and working independently in an agricultural or other professional setting.
Strong organizational and planning skills, including the ability to establish work priorities, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to troubleshoot growing challenges and adapt to changing weather, crop conditions, and farm needs.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide clear instructions and work effectively with volunteers, staff, and community members.
Proficiency in Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office
Familiarity with food safety protocols
Experience with season extension techniques, including high tunnels, greenhouses, and row covers.
Experience supervising farm crew, staff, interns, or volunteers is preferred

Ability to perform physically demanding farm and grounds maintenance work, including lifting up to 50 lbs., using hand and power tools, and operating farm and lawn maintenance equipment
Ability and willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
Valid driver’s license and ability to operate farm vehicles and equipment
Agree to a criminal background check and meet Apple Seeds’ screening requirements for working in an environment that serves children.

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's schedule will vary based on seasonal farm operations and volunteer activities.
During the peak growing season (March–October), the Farm Lead will typically work 2–3 Saturday mornings per month and occasional evenings to lead volunteer activities, with corresponding adjustments to weekday hours. Occasional early mornings will be expected as well.

Benefits:

Starting annual salary of $44,000
Full-time employees are eligible for health insurance after 90 days, with Apple Seeds covering 50% of the premium. 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

Compensation

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

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline