Orchard Manager

Ruth Mott Foundation•Flint, MI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

To maintain the historic apple orchard and various fruit trees and shrubs, rose garden, and landscapes on the grounds of Applewood: The Charles Stewart Mott Estate, using good environmental stewardship. This role involves a wide range of horticultural tasks, from planting and pruning to pest management and community engagement. The Orchard Manager will also collaborate with education and program staff, support the implementation of the estate's Master Plan and the Ruth Mott Foundation's strategic plan, and contribute to a positive organizational and race equity culture.

Requirements

Degree in horticulture or apple orchard related field, bachelor’s degree preferred.
Minimum of three years of experience working in apple orchards and with other fruit trees.
Michigan Commercial Certified Pesticide Applicator’s License with commercial core, 1C fruit, 3A turfgrass, and 3B ornamental plant categories or must begin to obtain within 30 days of employment and complete by 90 days of employment.
Knowledge of insect pests, plant diseases, invasive plant species, integrated pest management, tree fruit culture, apiculture, pollination, and standard horticultural practices.
Experience with weather analysis/disease and pest model software. Michigan State University Enviro-Weather preferred.
Comfortable handling machinery including tractors, chainsaws, and other implements.
Experience using computer-aided drafting software.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
Ability to work collaboratively with individuals from all sectors of the community and a commitment to race equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

Care for and maintain an apple orchard with 29 varieties, including pear, plum, peach, apricot, saskatoon, blueberry, and currant trees and bushes.
Perform winter and summer pruning and thinning of fruit trees and clean-up using ladders, pruners, saws, and hands.
Conduct research, design, grafting, planting, irrigation, weed control, fertilization, and tree training to maintain the historic integrity of the orchard.
Undertake the harvesting, cold storage, and distribution of fruit to the Flint community and “Taste of Applewood.”
Practice Integrated Pest Management: scouting and monitoring traps for pests; monitoring weather and degree-day data for forecast models relating to insect pests and plant diseases.
Apply chemical applications to the fruit trees utilizing and maintaining a large tractor and orchard sprayer.
Maintain estate rose collection including all aspects of the formal rose garden, crab apple tree collection, and bowling green turf.
Perform various operational duties, including equipment maintenance, painting, recycling, snow plowing, fall leaf collection and processing.
Landscape and annuals planting, hedge trimming, plant labeling, minor sprinkler repair, maintaining plant and SDS records, and supply inventory and ordering.
Direct and teach Landscape Assistants, contracted partners, and volunteers on proper completion of orchard tasks and practices.
Perform all levels of landscape and ground maintenance tasks as directed.
Engage in continuing education to stay informed of advances in horticulture, community engagement, and computer-aided drafting software.
Collaborate with Education and Program staff by assisting with creative development, support, and evaluation of Applewood’s programs; sharing expertise through creation and presentation of public workshops; participating in event set-up and tear-down; providing horticulture technical assistance; and leading guided grounds tours.
Support implementation of Applewood’s Master Plan, particularly related to horticulture needs.
Support implementation of the Ruth Mott Foundation’s strategic plan as it relates to Applewood.
Support the execution of all organizational goals, especially those related to facilitating a positive organizational and race equity culture.
Complete other duties as assigned.