Research Farm Manager

Rodale Institute is hiring a Research Farm Manager to oversee farm operations at our regional resource center in Rockport, WA.  Rodale Institute’s Pacific Northwest Organic Center is a historic location and is well known as a pioneering organic farm. The center has well-established blueberries and raspberries as well as other perennial fruits. Research over the next five years will be focusing on organic perennial systems using agroforestry, alley-cropping, and integrated crop-livestock systems in hazelnut, aronia berry and elderberry.  We are developing outreach, education and consulting programs to benefit farmers and the general public in the future.  The surrounding area is considered remote and rural. 

The Research Farm Manager will be responsible for activities in the field and facilities.  This position will report directly to the Research Director.  Applicants should be driven, hard-working, and committed to regenerative organic agricultural research.  All candidates must be prepared to work in a professional environment, complete tasks carefully and in a timely manner, and work in all weather conditions when necessary. 
 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Conduct day-to-day farm operations in relationship to crop production. Field responsibilities include, but are not limited to, tractor driving, soil preparation, planting, harvesting, weed, pest and disease management, pruning, equipment maintenance and repair, etc.  
• Train and support labor efforts among full-time staff as well as seasonal workers and interns
• Communicate with organic farmers in the region to define their needs and to create a community of shared resources and commitment to regenerative organic farming. While the needs of the farm always come first, this will be an important part of this position.  
• Support educational and outreach activities through field tours and presentations  
• Ensure proper documentation from staff for field operations on Rodale Institute forms to satisfy organic certification requirements, research data collection needs and financial accounting, as well as maintain production records on a regular basis  
• Coordinate maintenance schedules for tractor(s), truck(s) and other equipment and conduct property maintenance, including mowing, landscaping, fence repair, pruning, tree removal, building upkeep, and other activities   
• Coordinate property maintenance, including mowing, landscaping, fence repair, pruning, tree removal, building maintenance, and other activities   
• Operate equipment safely and train staff on equipment operation (tractors, berry harvester, tractor implements, small engine equipment, and hand tools) in a safe and efficient manner  
• Support the research team in creating field experiments and completing field activities.  Some field data collection may be required 
• Coordinate with Rodale Institute staff for travel, purchasing and communicating farm operations 
• Prepare a yearly budget and budget narrative as well as quarterly reports  
• Provide tours and presentations  
• Other duties as assigned   

Qualifications: 

• Must be able and willing to work in all types of weather when needed 
• Ability to lift in excess of 50lbs  
• Good written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to be flexible in work hours, as farm work can be unpredictable 
• Available to support and manage weekend Berry U-Pick operations 
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat 

Education & Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree required or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in agronomic crop production in the Pacific Northwest preferred 
• Proven experience driving farm equipment such as tractors and berry harvesters 
• Eligible to work in the United States 
• Previous management experience preferred 
• Previous experience working on research farms or projects preferred 

Travel: 

• Travel will be required for farm visits, conferences, grower meetings and workshops 

Other Expectations: 

• Individuals must be committed to the farm’s success, and in turn, the farm will be committed to the individual’s success 
• To be polite and respectful to all staff and visitors 

• $50,000 - $60,000 annual salary

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.