COMPANY DESCRIPTION
The Killeen Crossroads Farm is a market garden in Shelburne, Vermont that focuses on food production and meal preparation. As a farm-to-kitchen model, we strive to grow novel and delicious herbs, roots and vegetables for home cooks and chefs alike through crafted CSA shares and a modern farm stand. We rotationally graze a small herd of beef cattle and pasture-raise laying hens, chickens, and turkeys. Located among a corridor of impressive farms in the Burlington, Vermont area, we strive to encourage healthy soils through ecologically-based growing methods on terraced and irrigated production beds. Key infrastructure includes two 30x96ft high tunnels, a 30x36 heated propagation house, irrigation, refrigerated storage, walk-in cooler, and an air conditioned farm stand with ample parking. Through our specialized CSA shares and modern farm stand, our goal is to provide community members with unique, ethnically-diverse and nutrient-rich ingredients and instruction for home meal preparation.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Killeen Crossroads Farm seeks an experienced and collaborative farmer that is also passionate about food preparation. As the Market Gardener, they should be knowledgeable of, and committed to, sustainable farming practices that improve the health of soil and water, and a desire to manage a ~2-acre vegetable and flower farm. Our ideal candidate knows how to create the well-organized market gardens that they admire, the neatly arranged rows, the multitude of colors, and the vibrance of heirloom vegetables. They also look forward to spending time getting to know the various residents of our flocks and herd, and will take an active part in helping them flourish. They love to photograph bountiful harvests, drool over baskets of rainbow-colored eggs, and knows the pleasure of hard work and bounty that makes people feel full—inside and out. The Killeen Crossroads Farm is located along protected pastoral views in Shelburne, and the design and operation of the farm must contribute to the area’s beauty.
This is the farm’s fifth growing season, and the Market Garden Manager will play an integral role in the continued production of essential agricultural production systems and goals, with a keen eye on long term soil and water health. Our ideal candidate seeks to build upon their market farming experiences, by joining a farm dedicated to regenerative agriculture through no till/low till farm practices. They will also oversee and take an active role in managing the farm's livestock. The candidate will demonstrate an understanding and commitment to the farm-to-kitchen mission of the Killeen Crossroads Farm, and the linkage between the food they grow and the meals people will eat.
The Market Garden Manager will be responsible for managing the growth of vegetables and flowers, and overseeing the management of the cows and poultry. They will lead the harvesting and conditioning of vegetable crops for sale through a CSA community, wholesale, and point-of-sale farm stand. The Market Garden Manager should have at least three seasons of experience working on a farm with high tunnel and greenhouse crop production. The candidate has demonstrated experience working on a farm through New England weather conditions or in similar climates.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plans vegetable, herb and flower production, including propagation, soil fertility, planting, cultivation, harvesting, packing, etc;
- Prepares terraced production beds including weed suppression, soil amendments, fertilization and irrigation;
- Oversees daily care and management of poultry flocks, tasks include collecting and preparing eggs for the market, preparing and packaging meat for the market, and coop upkeep;
- Oversees conditioning and packing crops for sale and maintenance of farm stand;
- Aids with management of farm stand, online store, and wholesale orders;
REQUIREMENTS
- A successful candidate will have demonstrated experience with the responsibilities listed above, including at least:
- Three or more growing seasons of experience on a sustainable production farm - largely focused on vegetable production and management or 2 or more years of such experience and a degree in sustainable agriculture and food systems (or a related degree).
- Experience in greenhouse culture management, propagation, direct and potted seeding, and climate control.
- Experience in harvesting, storing and packing vegetables, flowers, and herbs.
- Experience managing and tending to livestock (beef and/or poultry) preferred.
- Demonstrated experience with and commitment to participate in a physically intensive work environment.
- Friendly disposition and willingness to engage with community members and farm customers.
- Reliable transportation and a valid drivers license for use of farm trucks.
COMPENSATION AND WORK SCHEDULE
This is a full-time position during the growing season of April through November (40 hours per week). Work is organized around a largely 7:00am-3:00pm schedule, Monday through Friday inclusive of a paid lunch break. Early starts and longer days are anticipated ~2x per week during the heavy harvest season and heat of the summer. Employment through shoulder seasons will be negotiated. The salary range starts at $20-$23 per hour, commensurate with experience. In addition: Compensation includes vacation days to be identified in collaboration with the farm owners. The employment contract will include a probationary period of 6 weeks.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Application materials should include:
- A resume that includes prior employment contact names.
- A cover letter that details your attraction to the Killeen Crossroads Farm and its purposes, at this time of your life.
- A written letter of reference from your previous work at a sustainable production farm.
Applications will be received until the position is filled.
TO APPLY:
Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the title format “Last Name, First Name – Market Garden Manager Application”