MGR, Farm

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position will manage the Field and Fork Farm and Gardens, which is located on the University of Florida Campus, and total approximately 10 acres. This position manages staff and student interns and oversees and performs land cultivation, landscape management and production, coordinates with faculty for course needs and staff for outreach programming and manages infrastructure and equipment maintenance and repair.

The Field and Fork Farm and Gardens seek to provide students, faculty, staff and visitors with the opportunity to engage in a community of collaboration and learning about sustainable food systems. The vision is to offer spaces at UF where individuals can take courses, engage with demonstrations, and participate in activities that focus on sustainable practices and food systems at multiple scales from a home, community garden, or small/urban farm to large scale production.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and five years of relevant experience managing an agricultural operation and supervising staff. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required number of years of experience.
• Tractor and other farm equipment experience is required.
• Must be able to lift heavy (50-100 lbs) and irregular objects and push and pull tools and equipment as a regular part of their job.
• Must be able to bend, squat, and kneel on a regular basis.
• Florida Pesticide Applicators Certification (can be achieved within first 3 months of employment)

Nice To Haves

• Commercial Driver’s License
• Knowledge of Crop Science theory, methods and practices, with focus on agro-ecology and organic practices.
• Knowledge of Agronomic and horticulture practices including, but not limited to plant nutrition, soil management, composting, integrated pest management, planting, irrigation, harvest, and food safety.
• Knowledge of Common techniques used in the care of crops, especially in agro-ecological and/or organic systems.
• Knowledge of Understanding of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and management of crop disease and injury.
• Knowledge of Safe equipment operation and safety rules associated with operation of farm equipment
• Knowledge of Supervision and training techniques and practices.
• Knowledge of University, state, city, county and federal rules and regulations applicable to area.
• Knowledge of Basic computer applications.
• Knowledge of Experiential learning and Extension/Outreach techniques
• Knowledge of Record-keeping and data collection techniques for farm management.
• Skills and Abilities to follow instructions and perform acceptable farming practices.
• Skills and Abilities to communicate and deal effectively with faculty, students, administration, farmers, ranchers, state and federal agencies, and the public.
• Skills and Abilities to have hand/eye coordination and manual and physical dexterity to safely and effectively operate and maintain farm facility, equipment, and tools, and maneuver around a farm.
• Skills and Abilities to understand best management practices and keep up to date on latest efforts to improve the sustainability of management efforts for agricultural production.
• Skills and Abilities to develop food safety protocols for field, harvest and post-harvest handling.
• Skills and Abilities to think creatively and work collaboratively with other members of the farm team to ensure a positive and interdisciplinary learning environment for sustainable agriculture and food systems.
• Skills and Abilities to recognize symptoms of crop illness, disease, or injury and be able to treat effectively using IPM.
• Skills and Abilities to assist with maintenance and record keeping for farm production, facility, equipment and supplies.
• Skills and Abilities to travel, when required for meetings, training, transportation crops, or supplies and equipment.
• Skills and Abilities to assist with supervision and training of assigned staff.
• Skills and Abilities to operate computer to maintain records.
• Skills and Abilities to work as team member and foster a cooperative work environment.
• Skills and Abilities to apply Organic production/Agro-ecology methods to farm management.

Responsibilities

• Manage, supervise, participate in and track soil management, planting, irrigation, fertilization, crop care, and integrated pest management; application of chemicals, harvesting, and food safety of all crops; recommend and implement operating policies and procedures at the farm level; May travel to other centers to transport materials, equipment. May work at other sites related to the program as needed.
• Oversee and supervises interns and other staff and volunteers assigned to assist in the maintenance and management of the farm and gardens, including assisting in training volunteer farm crew and staff.
• Keep records and prepare farm production reports and prepare and implement budget recommendations; procure supplies and materials needed to support farm and garden operations.
• Work as liaison with faculty, staff, students and other collaborators at the farm to plan and develop objectives, workflows, and deadlines for farm and garden operations. Assist faculty in conducting classes and research data collection; assist with tours and community outreach at the farm and gardens.
• Operate, maintain and repair equipment used in agriculture and farming, including developing and implementing a preventive maintenance and repair program on equipment and facilities and planning and directing the construction and modification of buildings and infrastructure at the farm and gardens.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED