FARM MANAGER POSITION OPENING

Craigardan, a growing arts and agriculture nonprofit located in Elizabethtown, NY, seeks a dynamic new farm + property manager to develop, grow, and maintain the organization’s small-scale diversified mountain farm. Located on 320 acres of field and forest adjacent to the Adirondack Park’s Hurricane Mountain Wilderness area, the farm is non-traditional and extremely rural. We are looking for someone with a diverse skillset, a positive and creative mindset, and a desire to help imagine and grow the community farm.

We grow vegetables, fruits, and flowers and produce eggs, wool, and meat to feed participants in our residency program, to fill the kitchen pantry for our culinary artists-in-residence, to sell in the farm store, and to give away to local families in need through our community farm programs and Free Food Fridge.  This is a year-round, full-time position that allows for creative problem-solving, innovation, and exploration in a supportive, inclusive environment. This position provides a rich and rewarding farming career while maintaining a positive work-life balance. The Adirondack region is known for its work hard / play hard ethos, and Craigardan is located at the center of this incredible playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

The farm and our farmers are the heart and soul of this place-based organization.  Learn more about our people and programs at www.craigardan.org.
 

WHAT WE DO

Craigardan is a nonprofit arts organization and educational working farm that leverages collective creativity for social good. We bring people together for place-based and interdisciplinary learning, providing creative residencies, courses, and events that span diverse artistic and knowledge disciplines in order to foster curiosity, inquiry, and collaboration. 

Craigardan supports ceramic, literary, visual, and performance artists, as well as farmers, chefs, activists, scholars, and researchers from the Adirondack region and around the world. We cultivate a dynamic that amplifies each individual’s work and activates collective creativity within the community. We believe that fostering the interaction between artists and the local public is as important as providing sheltered time to artists to further their creative practices.

As an organization deeply rooted in this region’s unique history, Craigardan exists at the nexus of processes (re)making this region’s present and future:  environmental conservation, the resurgence of small farms, rural economic revitalization, and cultural/social activism. 

By developing interdependent connections  within our local Adirondack community, we nurture a deep sense of place through people, culture, food, stories, and the exchange of ideas and skills. With a built-in focus on equitable exchange across a wide range of disciplines, Craigardan offers an  experience that ties the creative process to larger contexts. This experience leads to new questions and new initiatives; and it generates positive social change through collective creativity.

MISSION + VISION

Craigardan is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to encourage the human imagination to interpret the world with philosophical, ecological, and artistic perspective.

We envision an Adirondack region defined by its makers who are committed to the development of sustainable systems that integrate the needs of human communities with the integrity of the natural world.

THE POSITION

As an integral member of Craigardan’s team, the farm manager must work closely with staff to provide leadership and delivery in all areas of the farm and property.  With the direction and collaboration of the Executive Director, the farm manager will:

• Help design and implement planned phases of the innovative, small-scale, diversified farm and trail network throughout our 320 acres of field and forest
• Manage all farm operations including: livestock (chickens, sheep, and pigs), vegetable and flower gardens, small orchard, and food storage and preservation
• Manage staff, interns, volunteers, and/or contractors to carry out tasks where necessary throughout the property
• Assist with budgetary planning and help to create income producing activities and products
• Work with professionals to plan, build, and install infrastructure
• Work with staff and interns to create and implement operational systems and structures
• Assist with the planning and execution of relevant classes, events, and workshops
• Welcome regional experts and lead discussions on the farm
• Represent Craigardan as an integral member of the regional farming community while working together with other farmers and organizations to strengthen and promote the Adirondack region’s food system.

WHAT YOU DO

You have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge and you have a strong desire to continue learning:

• Livestock management for laying hens, broilers, sheep, and pigs
• Pasture management and rotational grazing
• Small-scale fruit and vegetable production from seed through harvest
• Soil improvement tactics including rotational grazing, composting, cover cropping, and living mulches
• Regenerative practices that test and integrate knowledge and techniques from permaculture, agroforestry, silvopasture, and agroecological methods
• Food storage and preservation including cold storage, freezing and canning. Butcher skills are a plus.
• The use of hand tools, light carpentry, and general maintenance
• The importance of craft and craftsmanship; and fostering the connections between agriculture, food, and the arts

You are hardworking, capable, curious, and positive; and you are comfortable in your ability to:

• Be a leader, but also to ask questions and take direction
• Be highly dependable, observant, and flexible
• Work alone for long hours and work side-by-side in a team. Work outdoors in all conditions year-round
• Talk to community members and help foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment
• Safely operate equipment including mowers, tractors, and chain saws
• Handle animals with your safety and their welfare as first priority
• Produce vegetables, small fruits, eggs, and meat for 30+ people each week
• Think in terms of systems, organization, and efficiency
• Maintain a beautiful property with an eye for design and upkeep
• Organize documents and spreadsheets as well as tools and equipment
• Teach and manage interns and work-exchange residents on the farm
• Work quickly and efficiently, without missing details 
• Lift 50 pounds safely and repetitively, and accomplish physically demanding work 5 days per week.
• Navigate rural, remote, and wilderness spaces with a deep desire to live in the Adirondacks

ELIGIBILITY

Required Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED
• At least 3 years of farming experience
• farm management experience preferred
• Valid US drivers license

Applicants must also have a strong affinity for Craigardan’s mission and work.

COMPENSATION

Salaried, full-time, 40-50 hours per week, year-round position starting as early as March 1, 2024. This position provides training and offers room for growth for the right candidate.

Starting salary $45,000-$55,000 commensurate with experience.

The employment package includes:

• Generous PTO: 30 paid holiday, personal, and wellness days per year
• Monthly health care stipend
• Staff shares of farm food produced at Craigardan and 15% off in the Farm Store
• Free access to programs and educational classes
• Continuing education, training, and professional development support

This position requires working occasional nights, weekends, and some holidays. This job description covers key responsibilities but does not outline all duties. We are searching for a long-term employee to grow with Craigardan and shape the farm. All applicants must be willing to commit to at least two years in the position, but hopefully many more. 

Craigardan is an equal opportunity employer. We highly encourage applications from women, farmers of color, and LGBTQIA+ farmers. 

APPLY

Send a cover letter, resume, and three references by email to Michele Drozd, executive director, at [email protected]. Deadline to apply is January 15, 2025

Carversville Farm Foundation

Position: Seasonal Livestock Farmer

Reports to: Livestock Manager

Compensation: $19 per hour

Benefits: Housing available, PTO

Schedule: March 17 - November 26, 5 days per week, 40 - 50 hours per week

Carversville Farm Foundation (CFF) is a non-profit that runs a philanthropic, diversified, regenerative, certified organic farm. We grow produce, eggs and meat to the highest standards and donate 100% of our harvests to Philadelphia-area soup kitchens, year-round. Want to join a talented, committed crew in beautiful Bucks County, PA and improve your farming skills while raising chef-quality harvests to give away to communities in need ? Join us!

About the position:

Our livestock team cares for grass fed beef cattle and pastured poultry (laying hens, turkeys, broiler chickens). Duties include collecting eggs, moving fences for rotational grazing, feeding and watering animals + weekly poultry harvest in high season.

Requirements

• 1 year livestock experience preferred
• Experience operating equipment
• Demonstrate record keeping ability
• Poultry processing

Responsibilities

Working with our team to execute daily tasks including:

• Daily chores
• Collecting and washing eggs
• Moving fencing and infrastructure for beef, poultry and goats
• Support record keeping
• Repair, maintenance and cleaning of animal infrastructure
• Hatching and brooding young poultry stock
• Contribute to a safe and orderly working environment

Skills

We are looking for people committed to our mission and procedures with these abilities:

• Work independently and on a team
• Dependable and observant 
• Strong work ethic
• Positive and proactive problem solving skills
• Readiness to work outside in all weather conditions
• Ability to lift 50 lbs repetitively
• Detail oriented
• Knowledge and experience in good food handling and processing
• Desire to learn
• Flexible in schedule and tasks

This job description covers key responsibilities but does not capture all job duties. We work as a team and there are times we need all hands on deck to accomplish a task. Flexibility is key to joining our dynamic team.

Carversville Farm Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Honey Field Farm in Norwich, VT is hiring for the 2025 season. 

Experienced assistant ranch manager looking for employment on an organic farm. Ideally with housing provided. Please find my experience as well as my resume below. Would be open to relocation anywhere in the New England area. 

Experience:

61 Ranch                                                                                                                                                     Sebring, FL      

Assistant Manager                                                                                                                                       2018 - 2024

• Managed feeding, health checks, and medication of 500+ head of cattle and 10 horses
• Maintained accurate records of cattle movements, health checks, and feeding schedules
• Assisted in financial record keeping, ensuring accurate accounting ledgers
• Operated and maintained ranch machinery and tools. Such as John Deere 4020 tractor. Completed routine oil and air filter changes, some basic mechanics work
• Managed barbwire fences and maintained pastures, this included mowing pastures, rotating cows on and off certain areas of the ranch, primarily on horseback
• Coordinated with the manager on daily tasks and seasonal activities. This includes biannual cattle round-ups.
• Managed the planting and maintenance of 3 hay feeds making sure to provide adequate feed for winter

Mayworth Farms                                                                                                                                          Sebring, FL      

Farm Hand                                                                                                                                                 2018 - 2020

• Managed drip irrigation systems to provide consistent and efficient water supply, promoting healthy growth and maximizing yield.
• Repaired barbwire fences and maintained pastures

I'm seeking to work this fall, winter, and early spring at a ranch or sanctuary in northern Vermont! I have experience working many types of farm/ranch jobs and would love to work hard at a land project in this area.