Erickson Fields Farm Manager at Community Educational Land Trust Farm in Midcoast Maine

Full Job Listing here: https://www.aldermere.org/op

Erickson Fields Farm Manager

• Are you interested in a career with an organization whose focus is on protecting and caring for vital lands on the coast and contributing to community well-being in Maine?
• Are you looking for an opportunity to work with your hands and with good people to do meaningful work?
• Are you looking for a collaborative, compassionate, and supportive work environment, where you can feel comfortable asking questions and testing new skills?
• Do you dive into your work with a sense of enthusiasm, curiosity, and determination?

Then the Erickson Fields Farm Manager might be the right fit for you!  If you are a self-starter who enjoys being part of a team, detail-oriented, and can multitask, we’d love to hear from you.

Our Mission:

Maine Coast Heritage Trust conserves and stewards Maine’s coastal lands and islands for their renowned scenic beauty, ecological value, outdoor recreational opportunities, and contribution to community well-being. MCHT provides statewide conservation leadership through its work with land trusts, coastal communities, and other partners.

Position Overview:

This position manages the Erickson Fields Preserve vegetable farm operation and associated programming. The Erickson Fields Farm Manager works closely with the MCHT farm preserves staff to manage the entire Erickson Fields Preserve property, offer inclusive youth and community programs, and further develop Erickson Fields as an educational farm and preserve that utilizes regenerative agriculture techniques. These efforts enhance MCHT’s initiatives of community well-being, access, and climate resilience.

Essential Job Functions:

• Create and implements inclusive youth and community programs at Erickson Fields such as Teen Ag Crew, Kids Can Grow, various school and summer programs, Community Gardens, and others.
• Hire, mentor, and work with teens in the Teen Ag Crew to teach and supervise students in their daily work in the gardens.  Foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive outdoor workplace for young people to learn leadership and team building skills, work ethic and all aspects of sustainable agriculture production.
• Hire and mentor Erickson Fields seasonal apprentice/staff and volunteers to assist in all aspects of Erickson Fields operations and programs. 
• Use sustainable agriculture techniques to improve and protect soil quality and surrounding ecology of a 4-acre production garden (irrigation, cover crop, crop rotation, IPM, compost, etc.) 
• Collaborate with community partners to aide in local food security initiatives (e.g. local food banks, school systems, hospitals, gleaners, etc.)
• Manage vegetable production, sales and contracts with Good Shepard Food Bank’s Mainer’s Feeding Mainer’s program, and other local accounts (schools, restaurants, elder care facilities, etc.). Supports the Office and Outreach Manager to record and track produce sales and distribution. Annual distributions have averaged about 20,000 pounds distributed and $25,000 in sales.
• Support the Farm Preserves Director in creating an annual preserve and program budget. 
• Work with the Operations Manager to manage, design and improve infrastructure at the Erickson Fields property (buildings, fence, trail, etc.). and to source, maintain, and operate all farm and garden equipment and supplies including 2 and 4-wheel tractors, lawn mowers, weed whackers, hand tools, etc.
• Support programs and events that enhance local farms and food system viability, e.g. Help organize efforts of the Midcoast Farmers’ Alliance (Common Road Union Site, workshops, FEDCO Bulk Buy program, etc.).
• Engage with research initiatives and educational opportunities such as the Soil Health Network and MOFGA Farmer to Farmer conference, to remain current, relevant and up to date on regenerative agriculture practices. 
• Other Erickson Fields, Aldermere Farm and MCHT duties as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises teens, apprentices, and seasonal staff. Supervisory responsibilities include, but are not limited to, interviewing and selection, training and development, adherence to safe working practices, scheduling, discipline, termination, evaluating performance and recommending pay increases. 

Requirements:

Weekend and evening work required as needed for programming and agricultural related responsibilities. Background check required. 

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience.
• At least three years growing food for market or for public consumption. 
• At least three years of educational and supervisory experience, with youth preferred.

Qualifications:

• Excellent project management, problem-solving skills 
• Excellent analytical skills 
• Excellent written communication skills 
• Excellent interpersonal oral communication skills 
• Excellent team and independent work ethic
• Ability to promote and maintain positive public relations and to interact with a wide variety of people 
• Ability to communicate clear expectations and strategic goals to staff and volunteers 
• Ability to coordinate projects with peers/supervisor in the organization collaboratively, including accepting positive feedback and constructive criticism to complete the tasks more effectively. 
• Commitment to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to Maine agriculture, land stewardship, conservation, and community well-being 
• Significant computer skills necessary to create and maintain email communications, spreadsheets and operational documents, utilizing assigned software. 
• Ability to use hand tools and small machinery, including tractors.
• Valid Drivers’ license 

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

Work will take place in the office and in the field. Field operations work is almost entirely outdoors in all year-round conditions. Work will require significant physical strength and endurance. Some substantial care will need to be taken while working around up to 2,000-pound cattle that at times can be aggressive and around potentially very dangerous equipment. Must be able to lift 50 pounds up to an hour. Subjected to farm related odors. Administrative work is performed in a normal office environment not subject to extremes of noise, temperature, odor, etc. 

This is a permanent, full-time position with a benefits package including insurance (no cost for employee coverage), generous vacation and sick time, and a retirement plan. The starting salary pay range for the Erickson Farm Manager is $46,000 to $55,000 dependent upon experience.

TO APPLY:  Send cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “Erickson Fields Manager” in the subject line.  The deadline to apply is January 15, 2024.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.  We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating an inclusive culture where employees from diverse backgrounds can thrive and support our mission.