Full time job growing food and working with farm workers on a gorgeous ranch in the Carmel Valley of Monterey County, in Coastal California. Carmel Valley is a beautiful isolated community with excellent public schools surrounded by Oak woodlands and lots of recreational opportunities.
We’re looking for a hardworking, self-motivated, and good-humored individual to join our farms year-round crew. The diversified organic farm is just getting started and will grow food for a private family, their friends, and their events. With vegetables, cut flowers, rotating pastures, perennial borders, food forest orchards, wine grapes, berries, native plants, and herbs, this farms intention is to produce a diversity of edible plants using the most up to date ecological, regenerative, practical, and systems-based approaches to nutrient dense food production. Animals will be integrated into our management efforts, but not consumed as meat.
The Assistant Farm Manager will work closely with the Ranch Manager for collaborative success of primarily the food production side of the farm, but also the overall upkeep of the ranch, it’s livestock, and it’s conservation efforts. The successful candidate will demonstrate good communication skills and team building skills. It is of utmost importance to respect and uphold the privacy of the property owners. This is a private ranch and farm and it will not be open to the public for demonstration or publication. The Assistant Farm Manager will be managed and supported by the Ranch Manager.
Job includes working with farm employees five mornings a week and reviewing the work for the day together as a team. The Assistant Farm Manager will keep a daily record of the work she or he has done and the work done by the farm workers, including challenges and problems encountered. All expenses are recorded in a budget sheet at the end of the day.
The farm is in its early stages of development but current plans include about 5 acres of fruit, flower, and vegetable production accompanied by about 5 acres of irrigated pasture for a diversity of animals intended to complement our fertility program. There are already about 5 acres of established wine grapes that will be managed primarily by a third party. The use of consultants and veterinarians is actively supported by the owner to address problems or create and support new plans.
The Assistant Farm Manager will be included in the design process with the Ranch Manager for strategic planning and implementation of agricultural projects and the annual farm plan, but will also be required to be regularly participate in the everyday demanding and laborious farming tasks. These include but are not limited to harvesting crops, transplanting, greenhouse propagation, spreading compost, pruning, amending, weeding, seeding, crop planning, broad-forking, washing and packing produce, driving deliveries, coordinating errands, and more. Applicants should be able to work hard and efficient in all weather, comfortably lift 40 lbs., and have a valid driver’s license. The Assistant Farm Manager is expected to demonstrate skills in working cooperatively, leading by example, promoting integrity and accountability, and respecting cultural differences. The ideal applicant will display a strong personal commitment to organic land management and sustainable land practices
The tasks are often strenuous and repetitive, so we aim to build a team that works together to maintain a positive working environment. Our goal is to support and nurture your understanding, skills, and appreciation for agriculture by providing opportunities to continue to grow with the farm. Must enjoy people, hard work, good conversation, fruits, vegetables, and also have the ability to work alone and be self-motivated. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is ready to take on the challenge and responsibility of farming. Work hours are limited to 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, with regular breaks.
Other additional skills preferred, but not required are:
Mechanical (basic engine familiarity, and an interest in working on machines)
Generally Handy (familiar with basic plumbing, electricity, and carpentry skills)
A systems thinker (an interest in thinking of the farm as a living organism, and a willingness to be constantly evaluating and refocusing priorities to insure the organism is functioning well)
Applicants must have 3 years prior farm experience, preferably with greenhouse and biointensive seed starting experience. A bachelor’s degree in agronomy, horticultural science, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution is preferred but not required. Bi-Lingual communication abilities with Spanish and English is preferred.
Pay is negotiable and will depend on experience
Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Paid vacation and holidays
401(k) plan
Life Insurance
We intend to complete the hiring process in February of 2020, please submit your resume and cover letter by January 25th to the following email address: