The Assistant Farm Manager: Horticulture oversees all aspects of the horticulture enterprise, including production planning, propagation, cultivation, irrigation, harvest, post-harvest processing, marketing and record keeping. This position collaborates with the Assistant Farm Managers, the College Farm, Agriculture and Natural Resources faculty, and campus community members to support the farm's educational mission. The Assistant Farm Manager: Horticulture manages the operational budget, coordinates academic activities, and develops long-term management plans in collaboration with the College Farm. This role also supervises and trains the student labor team with a strong emphasis on safety, education and stewardship of college land, facilities and equipment.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Regular and predictable attendance is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. - Plan and supervise all operations of the horticulture enterprise of the College Farm.
- Direct market horticultural crops to internal and external customers.
- Maintain productions, sales, and other required records, including USA National Organic Program records and other external certifications.
- Provide oversight of equipment, tools, and farm facilities.
- Ability to be on-call for farm emergencies throughout the week, weekends, and during holidays (in rotation with other staff)
- Coordinate with faculty the use of the farm for academic courses and laboratory activities.
- Fill in as necessary on other farm-related tasks including but not limited to livestock care, crop production and supply chain management.
- Assist students in conducting the daily work of the horticulture enterprise while ensuring safe practices.
- Conduct tours of the College Farm facilities for College personnel, students, visitors, and prospective students.
- Coordinate and train students as necessary to ensure worker safety, sustainable crop production, and proper maintenance and operation of equipment and facilities for horticulture.
- Provide advice to student management team on horticultural crop production.
- In support of Berea College's great commitments this position requires student supervision. The fourth great commitment is to promote learning and serving in community through the student labor program, honoring the dignity and utility of all work, mental and manual, and taking pride in work well done. The Supervision would include scheduling, assigning and approving work performed. Developing students about common workplace acumen and giving them tangible work experience is an expected outcome. To learn more about the student labor program and requirements on this position see: Labor Program Goals
Education required to ensure success in this position:- Bachelor's Degree in agriculture, horticulture or a related field.
Experience required to ensure success in this position:- 3-5 years' experience in field crop and/or horticultural crop production, particularly using organic and/or low-input production methods.
Special Skills, knowledge and abilities:- The knowledge of commercial-scale organic and/or low-input crop production practices, equipment and facility maintenance and repair.
- Knowledge to perform basic maintenance and minor repairs, coordinating with the College Farm for major repairs or mechanical issues.
- Knowledge of farm infrastructure maintenance, including greenhouse and high tunnel systems, product storage and handling systems, and facilities.
- Ability to organize, coordinate and motivate student workers.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Applied problem solving and critical thinking abilities.
License, certification, or registration necessary:- Valid driver's license
- Required background checks
Physical Requirements:- Ability to navigate campus/public buildings and grounds
- Ability to travel independently by car and/or plane
- Ability to repeatedly lift 75 lbs. or more
- Ability to work in hot or cold environments, both inside and outside
- Ability to engage in rigorous activity and extensive walking
- Ability to see small objects such as seeds and pests
- Ability to kneel, grasp, reach, and stand for extended periods of time
- Ability to engage in a full range of visual observation, physical mobility and motor skills needed to accomplish tasks.
Environmental conditions- Farm conditions with exposure to odor, dust, pollen, mold, animals, invertebrate pets, manure, adverse environmental conditions, and inclement weather (heat, humidity, cold, rain, ice, snow).
- Limited activity within walk-in freezers and refrigerator
Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:- Tractors, planting, harvesting, mowing, cultivating, spraying and other equipment typically used on a farm.
- Truck and trailer combinations, including bumper pull and gooseneck trailers
- Food safe processing equipment for post-harvest handling
- Basic office equipment
