About Pie Ranch:
Pie Ranch is a unique food and farm education center located on our diversified regenerative farm on the San Mateo Coast, about 55 miles south of San Francisco. Our home near Pescadero, CA, is in the ancestral homeland of the Quiroste Tribe who tended these lands for thousands of years. As there are no known human descendants of the Quiroste people, Pie Ranch has been in partnership with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and Amah Mutsun Land Trust who invite other indigenous peoples and allies to join them in their work of bringing back indigenous stewardship to these lands. The home site of Pie Ranch includes two parcels, 27-acres in total, with about 7-8 acres under active production. These neighboring pieces of land are each shaped like a slice of pie where we grow the ingredients to make pies, empanadas, and other culturally relevant dishes with visiting students and the public. In 2018 we began leasing 418-acres to the north at Cascade Ranch where we are hosting a Regenerator Program for new farmers and land-based businesses. Pie Ranch’s vision is to support a multiracial community of growers and eaters with access to land, education, and resources necessary to bring abundance and reciprocity into our relationships with each other and the earth. Each day we work toward our mission of cultivating a healthy and just food system from seed to table through food systems education, farmer pathways, and regional partnerships. Our ongoing use of the Be Present empowerment model grounds us in our daily work of centering justice and equity in our programs, policies, structures, and communication with each other.
For more information on the organization, see http://www.pieranch.org
About the Position:
The Pie Ranch Farm Manager (FM) position is based at Pie Ranch’s home site. Our production happens within an educational and demonstration-based context incorporating an integrated mix of grains, beans, vegetables, fruit trees, and berries, native plants, and pasture for rotating animals–currently chickens and a small herd of goats. We market our produce through our Roadside Farmstand, the FoodHub Program, for value-added products through Companion Bakeshop, Happy Girl Kitchen, and Revival Ice Cream, and for farm events and programs on-site. Our dynamic farm offers educational opportunities for our Youth Corp program, volunteers, the public, and students from elementary through college.
The FM position requires a strong practical knowledge of agricultural skills, farm infrastructure and farm management; a broad understanding of community food sovereignty and a deep commitment to food justice and social change. The FM works both alone and collaboratively with the Farm Team (Directors & Animal Husbandry Specialist), Program Team and other staff, while overseeing the planning, coordination, and implementation of all work and farm activities at Pie Ranch. The FM coordinates all agricultural production activities from seed to post-harvest handling.
The Pie Ranch Farm Manager will typically perform a variety of duties including farm production from seed to market, leading groups in the fields, farm record keeping and reporting, some animal care, grounds and farm infrastructure upkeep as needed.
This is a salaried full-time position with benefits. This position reports to the Executive Director and works collaboratively with other Pie Ranch staff.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
-Work alone and in collaboration with the farm team, program staff, other staff, youth, volunteers, and program participants in the successful accomplishment of the following:
-Management of organic farm operations and production:
-Participate in all aspects of organic farm production from seed to post harvest including our annuals, orchards, perennial hedgerows, and pasture blocks.
-Develop the yearly farm and educational garden plan with the Executive Director, programs team, and farmstand team; carry out seed and plant orders.
-Manage greenhouse and plant propagation, oversee and manage the planning and implementation of the planting schedules for greenhouse seeding, field seeding, and transplanting.
-Conduct field prep work with tractors and use other equipment in fields and orchards.
-Maintain equipment and tools.
-Set up overhead irrigation & drip systems, schedule & monitor irrigations.
-Conduct pest, disease, and weed control, soil fertility monitoring, and general field observation.
-Conduct harvest and post harvest handling for program use and sales through our Farmstand, Food Hub, and sales for value added products.
-Order and purchase supplies as needed for greenhouse, irrigation, harvest, soil amending.
-Complete yearly soil tests and maintain Pie Ranch’s Soil Fertility Management Plan (cover crop seeding, compost ordering and spreading, amend soil as needed).
-Record keeping for organic certification (includes using the platform Tend) and managing CCOF yearly inspection.
-Send out weekly crop availability lists to farmstand and program staff and communicate about upcoming (2-3 weeks out) harvests.
-Create and maintain weekly work plans
-Support Farm Infrastructure: Repair and maintain tools and equipment; Keep work and storage areas clean and organized; Maintain supplies; Keep an inventory of farm equipment and supplies; Use various hand and power tools;
-Drive and operate the various PR vehicles.
-Supervise farm assistant/s, Youth Corp, and volunteers; model timeliness, good work flow, and clear communication.
-Work with program staff, youth, program participants, and volunteers on a wide variety of educational farm tasks.
-Lead tours that incorporate teachings about regenerative agriculture and food/social justice theory and practice; engage with groups alone or collaboratively with other staff. Groups can range 1-100 people.
-Co-lead our 3rd Saturday work days in the Native Garden and on the farm in collaboration with the Amah Mutsun Land Trust.
-Assist with animal care if needed (currently goats and chickens).
-Assist with grounds and infrastructure if needed.
-Participate in all staff meetings, manager meetings, programs/farm team meetings, farmstand/farm meetings
-Participate in fundraising efforts such as the annual event, and other gatherings and events where we highlight our crop production and share information about our farm.
-Support other duties assigned by the Executive Director or other farm and operations support staff.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Required:
-A passion for and working knowledge of organic farm production.
-Experience growing and managing a wide range of annual and perennial crops.
-Experience working collaboratively in a team environment with successful outcomes.
-Experience working alone.
-Strong ability in operating tractors.
-Ability with farm machinery/small-engine maintenance, vehicles and repair experience is a plus.
-Knowledge & experience with drip & overhead irrigation set up & operation.
-Ability to communicate with others and to assimilate and understand information, in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
-Understanding of and commitment to antiracism and dismantling all forms of oppression.
-Commitment to food sovereignty and food justice.
-Commitment to learning about the history of the land and indigenous stewardship practices.
-Experience and interest in working with diverse populations - different ages and various economic, social and political backgrounds.
-Experience leading volunteers, youth, and the general public in farm projects.
-Organization, timeliness, self-motivation, flexibility, adaptability, cooperation, and positivity are critical qualities to a successful execution of this role.
-Ability to work with a team and community members respectfully and with patience.
-Ability to make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
-Ability and desire to be organized with the expectation to maintain good records of receipts, invoices and tools.
-Ability to perform duties involving prolonged standing, sitting, crouching and/or stooping.
-Ability to safely push, pull and position tools, equipment, and structural material weighing in excess of 50 pounds.
-Ability to prioritize efficiently and work in a timely manner.
-Ability to work from ladders at heights up to 20 feet.
-Ability to work on smooth or uneven surfaces and under varying climatic conditions.
-Ability to work outside their regular scheduled hours, to be available for emergency and/or pre-arranged work.
Other Requirements:
-Work takes place in the field and office settings.
-This position often works weekends and sometimes evenings within a 40-hour work week.
-Ability to perform hard and repetitive physical work.
-Friendliness, approachability, and enthusiasm for working with other people.
-Understanding that work is within the rustic reality of a farm.
-Understanding the realities of working at a non-profit with ongoing funding needs and infrastructure.
-Understanding of the Be Present model of communication and willingness to integrate the model into all forms of communication at Pie Ranch.
-Understanding the importance that public programs and fee-for-service programs play a part in supporting school/youth visits and general operations.
-Understanding and acceptance of Pie Ranch current decision making structure, policies and procedures.
-Proficiency or willing to learn and use Google applications.
-Possession of a current valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
-Spanish proficiency desired
-High school diploma or equivalent is desired.
-Criminal background required.
-COVID-related: We require proof of vaccination for all employees of Pie Ranch.
APPLICATION:
Interested and qualified candidates should provide:
Cover letter describing your interest and qualifications in this position.
Resume with references
Email: employment@pieranch.org with title: Farm Manager
Deadline: Open until filled
We are hoping to start this position in early December, 2023
Pie Ranch is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.