Job description

ABOUT THE FARM
Ploughshare Farm, a 400 member CSA in Alexandria MN, is now hiring for a Field Crew Supervisor. Ploughshare Farm has been in existence since 2002, selling vegetables to the local lakes community and the Minneapolis area by way of CSA and wholesale to the various food coops. We are located on 160 acres. The land is a sanctuary for many migratory bird species including Cranes, Eagles and Falcons. The Alexandria area is also a prime spot for fishing, swimming, and other Lake activities.

Of the 160 acres our family owns, we presently manage 35 acres with approximately 20-25 acres in vegetables on an annual basis and the remaining acreage in "green manure" (crops such as soybeans, rye, and vetch that are plowed under as fertilizer rather than being harvested). Our crops are mainly grown in a row crop style. We are semi-mechanized, though most harvesting is still done by hand. We use hand tools, rototillers, and small and large tractors. Our methods are based on the latest advances in agricultural ecology. We are constantly evaluating our methods and adapting our systems to meet market demand and the concerns of our customers and the organic/sustainable agriculture community.

The farm is run very similarly to any business. Scheduled days and hours of employment, a top down management structure, and attention to profits and losses are all important and constant issues. It is our belief that the farm has to be economically sustainable for the owners and employees while providing a good quality of life (limits on work hours and stress) as well as nurture the soil, environment, and community. This attention to the business aspects of farming are an integral part of our success and a valuable source of information.

ABOUT THE POSITION
Primary duties include harvest management and field crew supervision. A minimum of three seasons on a diversified vegetable farm is required. Supervisory experience strongly preferred. Ploughshare Farm has a 3 bedroom, split-log home available for our field supervisor. We are open to having a family or a couple working and living on the farm, especially if they have the required farm/supervisory experience and are considering working at Ploughshare Farm for the long term.

Responsibilities

• Supervising and working with farm crew and interns
• Helping to harvest, wash, pack and load produce with farm crew
• Communicating daily with Gary regarding tasks for the day
• Directing daily activities including planting, cultivating, harvesting, and packing
• Driving tractor for transplanting and harvesting
• Maintaining all harvest data and records
• Organizing and cleaning packing shed

Requirements

• Previous Supervisor experience
• Minimum of 3 years of experience on a vegetable farm
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift 40 pounds
• Tractor and cultivating experience
• Highly efficient, disciplined and organized
• Willingness to take orders and ability to be a positive example to others

Compensation

• competitive hourly wage (based upon experience)
• housing in a 3 bedroom, split-logged home
• long-term job opportunities are a possibility after a trial period of one year

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline