Maple Sugaring in a Changing Environment

Join us at the Proctor Maple Research Center for an immersive experience to learn more about managing sugarbushes with biodiversity and climate resilience in mind. We will discuss the environmental stewardship that ensures the future of maple sugaring, dive into the crucial relationship between maple sugaring and forest health, and provide some context for certifications, such as organic, bird-friendly, and the VMSMA sugarhouse certification. 

Modernizing Feed and Manure Management to Improve Labor Efficiency and Farm Viability

Join Doug and Seth Lawson of Covered Bridge Farm, an organic dairy in Irasburg, to hear about their experience completing a NE-DBIC funded project to modernize their feed and manure management systems and increase cow comfort. Strategies employed include automatic alley scrapers, robotic feed pusher, and cow brushes.

 

Come see the systems in action, hear what impacts they've had on this organic dairy farm, and have a chance to ask questions if you're considering similar systems.

 

Office Manager

Contact Name
Casey Ryan
Details

 

Philo Ridge Farm (PRF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) working demonstration farm located in Vermont’s Champlain Valley. Using innovative and ecologically sustainable practices, we steward over 500 acres of pastureland, forests, and diversified produce gardens. We rotationally graze heritage breed livestock and cultivate certified organic fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Our mission is to promote organic regenerative agriculture through hands-on research, education, and community engagement. As a nonprofit living laboratory, we provide farmers, students, and the public with opportunities to explore sustainable farming practices. Through educational initiatives and collaborative partnerships, we seek to deepen our understanding of food systems, environmental stewardship, and the essential role of food and agriculture in building resilient, healthy communities.

 

Position Overview

PRF is seeking an experienced Office Manager to lead key human resource processes, assist with accounting and bookkeeping functions, and oversee daily office administration and operations. This role serves as the central hub for PRF’s diverse farming and hospitality operations, promoting a collaborative team environment dedicated to the long-term well-being of both the land and the community.

The Office Manager will work closely with third-party administrators, support business administration and data management, maintain and organize the main office space, and coordinate seamlessly with team members across various departments. The Office Manager will manage confidential information and be responsible for critical accounting and human resources processes. The ideal candidate will be organized, discerning, detail-oriented, and a proactive problem solver with a strong team-oriented approach and excellent communication skills.

This position will report to the Executive Director and play a key support role for the entire leadership team.

Responsibilities

 

Human Resources Administration

  • Serves as a primary liaison between the company, staff, and 3rd party HR vendors

  • Leads administration of bi-weekly payroll process, collaborating with off-site accounting team

  • Leads administration of employee paid time off

  • Responsible for injury reporting and worker's compensation claims

  • Supports onsite hiring process and paperwork, including onboarding of employees

  • Coordinates with department managers for off-boarding of employees

  • Helps develop and implement policies and procedures relevant to hiring and employment

  • Leads healthcare benefits administration and coordination with benefits broker + HRIS platform

  • Serves as a key HR resource and liaison for employee incidents, concerns, and feedback

 

Accounting and Bookkeeping Administration

  • Supports off-site accounting team to ensure timely processing of all AR and AP

  • Supports and reviews all month-end expense tracking and proper income/expense coding

  • Leads communication with the offsite accounting team, including weekly status meetings

  • Supports hospitality team in all cash handling processes, including daily cash and bank deposits

  • Assists team with the receipt collection, coding, and reconciliation of all credit card statements

  • Ensures that all paperwork is mailed to our offsite accounting team

 

Office Management & Administration

  • Manages and oversees all office operations and procedures

  • Manages tidiness + efficiency of physical office space, including equipment ordering/maintenance

  • Receives and distributes incoming and outgoing mail and deliveries

  • Maintains and manages administration by scanning, emailing, and uploading to online file storage

  • Oversees farm office assets and inventory, including key security items like building keys

  • Maintains up-to-date detailed records of all farm office equipment, hardware, software, etc.

  • Supports management team in capturing and organizing data, reporting and tracking tools, etc.

  • Supports cross-departmental communication, including weekly all-team communications

  • Trains team managers in document management and administrative policies and procedures

  • Coordinates with IT consultant for IT needs, concerns, etc.

 

Operational Support, Team Culture, and Community Engagement

  • Collaborates with senior leaders to define, build, and support a strong team-orientated culture

  • Collaborates across departments and works with senior leaders to support events & education

  • Collaborates with hospitality team to support onsite events, education, and community engagement

  • Leads farm tours and organizes and oversees special events where capacity allows

  • Observe and gather information for improvement of existing programs

  • Provides ad-hoc operations support to senior leaders

 

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 2-5 years of human resources experience, or an equivalent degree

  • Minimum of 2-5 years of office and administrative management experience, or an equivalent degree

  • Understanding of and experience with basic bookkeeping and HR systems

  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

  • Positive attitude with a problem-solving, solution-orientated disposition

  • Strong time-management and people skills, high degree of flexibility, and multitasking ability

  • Experience and familiarity with HRIS systems

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe, and Quickbooks, with aptitude to learn new software

  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of company information

  • A passion for sustainable agriculture and healthy food systems

  • Self-starter who can work independently to solve problems creatively

  • Valid driver’s license and proven track record of operating a vehicle safely

 

Compensation

  • The expected annual base salary for this position is $50,000 - $65,000.

 

Benefits & Perks

Employment benefits include accrued paid time off, staff meals, health care benefits, an employee discount on products in our market, and many professional development opportunities.

 

Application Process

Candidates should send an email with “Office Manager” in the subject line to: [email protected]. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly. Please include the following information in your submission:

  • Cover Letter

  • Resume

  • References (3)

 

Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, PRF encourages you to apply.

PRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, PRF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities

Eco community seeking property manager/resident

Contact Name
abigale breeze
Phone Number
602 561 9312
Details
 
Details

We are a small multi generational eco community located on 300 acres of mountain in Johnson Vt. We are seeking a compatible resident (could be single or couple) with property maintenance skills and similar values of eco conscious living and the security that comes from a supportive and inclusive community. There is potential  for a long term residential commitment.  
Seasonal tasks include:

Weeding and mulching of perennial flower gardens. Weed wacking, mowing, brush cutting and maintenance of our extensive trail system. Assistance with light carpentry jobs, chainsaw work, equipment maintenance and repair skills valued, driving small tractor for snow removal and brush cutting of fields . Running pizza oven for monthly gatherings.

In exchange for 12 hours a week of work you will receive a beautiful private living quarters all utilities included. The property has outdoor kitchen/pizza oven, garden space, root cellar, weekly potluck/yoga/meditation classes, workshop facilities, community art studio, sauna, hot tub, swimming pond, pristine drinking water from springs, access to 300 acre trail system surrounded by acres of wilderness.  Working beyond weekly 12 hrs housing exchange an negotiable hourly wage will be offered. References and trial period required.

90 acres w house, cabin, and sugaring set-up for sale in Washington VT

Contact Name
Ike Mulqueen-Duquette
Phone Number
802-505-9904
Details
There are 6 acres of open land, with the rest forested in mature mixed hardwoods sloping down to the west. No chemical fertilizers or pesticides have been used in at least fifteen years. 
Buildings:
-1800 sq ft two story home with basement
-20' x 12' two floor cabin
-Sugaring house with 3x12 evaporator, wood fired arch w/ blower, sap tanks
-Open-front animal barn
-Sheds/outbuildings
-40 ft hoop-house frame, needs new covering
Fruit - 3 dozen blueberry bushes, 3 pear trees, numerous apple trees, and more
Existing gardens, with room for expansion
1 small pond fed by small stream
Asking $475k

So, What Now? A NOFA-VT Member Meeting for VOF-Certified Producers

We’re living in challenging times. Still, we, as NOFA-VT members, are collectively holding a vision of a verdant, just, and delicious future for all living beings. To get there—despite the chaos we’re surrounded by—we need each other more than ever. Let’s grow our community strength and chart powerful ways forward, doing more together than we can do alone.

job opening at fruit and nut tree farm and nursery

Contact Name
david fried
Phone Number
8028887668
Details

looking for a reliable and friendly assistant to help with fruit and nut 

growing on our certified organic farm in elmore.

work includes customer service, plant nurturing, digging, potting and 

planting.

sundays are an important day for work at our farm. saturdays off and most 

mondays.

very diverse farm with food forests and bird habitats and native plant 

communities.

if interested, we start very soon. please write to us at [email protected]

thankyou

the elmore roots crew