Job Description
The Organic Farm Consultant - WEI will support the daily operations of farming partners on WEI farmland, providing technical expertise, practical farming support, and organic agronomic strategy across WEI farmland assets. This position will report to the Consulting Director and work with the Chief Program Officer to plan weekly workloads and receive guidance on farm operations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: - Partner on day-to-day farm operations with respect to crop and livestock production across WEI farmland in Hanover, PA, ensuring that all operations are consistent with USDA Organic and Regenerative Organic Certification standards. Field responsibilities include but are not limited to: field preparation, planting, irrigation, harvesting, cultivating, pest management, maintaining equipment, collaborating with employees, etc.
- Must be comfortable with navigating the three-year transition period required to obtain organic certification (i.e. producing an organic crop and selling for conventional prices until certification is received)
- Must have some knowledge about current conventional “regenerative” practices including but not limited to: cover cropping, chemical input reduction strategies, no-till methods, and future livestock integration (livestock experience not required)
- Coordinate the management of farm operations on WEI farmland in conjunction with existing conventional farming partners
- Serve in an educational capacity with WEI farm partners and other farmers in the region that may be interested in transitioning to organic production
- Maintain lines of ongoing communication with key Warehime Enterprise partners and agricultural associations (NRCS, PA No-Till Alliance, Soil Health Academy) and land-grant universities (Delaware University, PSU, UMD, Rutgers) for continued learning and “best practices” advice through the farm’s ongoing journey toward achieving optimum soil health
- Operate equipment in a safe and efficient manner and effectively teach equipment operation and maintenance to staff as needed. Must be able to coordinate the use of equipment with farm partners at their discretion
- Document all field operations to satisfy organic certification requirements, research data collection needs, reporting, and accounting needs
- Plan a growing schedule with WEI leadership. Execute that plan with WEI farming partners. Must be familiar with crop rotation planning and understand when to modify or adjust a crop rotation based on conditions/markets
- Educate and train temporary staff and interns to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation
- Regularly evaluate operations strategy to maximize organic and regenerative organic farming principles and identify new opportunities to improve environmental and worker health
- Occasionally give presentations on farm’s progress to audiences at conferences, farmer gatherings, and Rodale Institute events. May be some responsibility to present farm developments and future plans to Board leadership
- Complete yearly budget and quarterly reports
- Complete all other duties as assigned by management.
QUALIFICATIONS :
- Must be able and willing to work in all types of weather conditions
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds or more
- Must have good written and verbal communications skills
- Must be flexible with work hours, as farm work can be unpredictable
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE :
- Must have a Bachelor’s degree and/or 5 years of experience in organic horticultural or agronomic crop production
- The ideal candidate will have prior experience managing an organic farm operation, creating crop plans, and maintaining operations and recordkeeping in accordance with USDA organic certification standards
TRAVEL: Some travel required. Regional travel expected as part of normal duties and national travel to conferences or Rodale Institute main campus will occur on occasion.
OTHER RODALE INSTITUTE EXPECTATIONS: - Willingness to provide input, explore new tasks, try new or different approaches and openness to new ideas
- Be honest, respectful and take ownership of our work and mission
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or handicap.
Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, Flexible hours,