Farm Manager/Grower Job Description
Position: Farm Manager / Grower
Status: Employed 22.5hrs per week (typically a Thursday with flexibility around other days and with occasional weekend and evening work). Aiming to increase hours in due course.
Pay rate: £12.50 per hour
Start date: End-February (or as soon as possible after then)
Norwich FarmShare is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) scheme in Norfolk in its 7th year (www.norwichfarmshare.co.uk). Our aims are to provide fresh, seasonal and ecologically-grown produce to our membership on a weekly basis, and to encourage community engagement in the growing and consuming of local chemical-free food.
Having been based at a 7-acre site outside the city until last year, we are now transitioning to a smaller site near the city, with a focus on production and education. With around 80 bag-buying members, we will continue to buy in from and create networks with other local producers, whilst starting to feed in our own produce.
We are looking for a dynamic, self-motivated and experienced commercial organic grower with an understanding of CSA values and the ability to lead teams of volunteers and other employees. The role in 2018 will initially involve implementation of infrastructure and growing spaces on the new site, working from an existing (but flexible) site design. Once the site is up and running, you will be responsible for the planning, production and delivery of CSA vegetables, as well as developing relationships with producers, and looking to create other income streams. The role also includes educational activities to engage the membership and local community.
You’d be working alongside Rosalind, the existing Farm Manager/Grower. In addition to the two part-time Farm Managers, the growing team consists of a team of work-share members and volunteers. FarmShare also employs a part time administrator and is looking to fund a Volunteer Co-ordinator. The Board of Directors consists of the Farm Managers plus, at present, 5 actively involved volunteer Directors.
How to apply: please send CV and maximum 2-page covering letter stating how your experience, skills and personal qualities meet the role requirements to Rosalind Rosalind@norwichfarmshare.co.uk by 12th February.
Interviews: provisionally week of 19th February with Farm Tour in the morning (if this is problematic, please get in contact).
Role Responsibilities:
1) Site Running and Development
Co-create a productive, efficient and welcoming new growing site.
Set production targets and meet these using organic and intensive methods.
2) CSA produce production
Work with the other Grower to develop an imaginative cropping plan that produces a range of produce attractive to members for 52 weeks of the year.
Compile contents of the weekly vegetable bags for members, working to a fixed budget.
Liaise and build relationships with local producers, buying in produce as needed.
Work with the other staff members and the Hub team to ensure that systems for supplying weekly produce to the FarmShare Hub in Norwich are run in an orderly way.
3) People management
Co-design and manage the Traineeship program for 2018, including practical and educational support for the trainee(s), creating a productive learning plan. Create and run formal workshops for the trainee(s). (FarmShare aims to get further funding for this project).
Liaise with groups of volunteers working on events, fundraising, marketing etc.
Identify and supervise tasks suitable for site volunteers on a weekly basis, varying tasks and tool use.
Manage FarmShare’s pool of casual staff within a budget agreed by the Board to ensure the smooth running of the site.
4) Board member duties
Attend meetings with other staff, site meetings, team meetings and to report to the FarmShare board as appropriate. (N.B Board meetings tend to be held in the evening, typically monthly).
Input into Strategic and Business plans.
Producing a yearly budget and working to this, within the wider FarmShare budgets.
Carry out any organisational tasks as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the FarmShare.
5) Health and Safety
To ensure sites, tools and buildings conform to basic health and safety standards. Work with the Board to ensure annual site Risk Assessments are carried out.
To ensure all volunteers have read and understood the Risk Assessments.
6) Monitoring and evaluation
Record sowing, planting and harvesting times.
Record useful information such as pests and diseases or thoughts for subsequent years planning.
Monitor weekly harvest quantities and assess production value by comparison to wholesale prices.
7) Administration
Regularly check work email and respond as necessary.
Manage record keeping, compiling receipts and producing reports for relevant grant funding.
Skills, experience and abilities:
Essential:
A commitment to CSA principles and chemical-free growing techniques
2+ years of working in a commercial organic horticulture setting
Experience of working with volunteers and other staff
Use of various hand and mechanical tools
Site design
Risk assessment and H&S
Excellent organisational capabilities
Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
Communicate effectively with a wide range of people, orally and in writing
Good computer skills including email and Excel
Able to implement equal opportunity practices
Desirable:
Horticulture qualification
Experience of designing vegetable bag contents
Delivering education and training
Income generation or fundraising experience
Experience of marketing and communications
Tractor and cultivation experience
Experience of financial planning
First Aid trained
Full driving licence
