Farm Manager
Application Deadline: January 8, 2025
Application Deadline:
January 8, 2025
January 8, 2025
Application Closed
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
Urban Adamah is an educational farm and community center in Berkeley, California that integrates the practices of Jewish tradition, mindfulness, sustainable agriculture, and social action to build loving, just, and sustainable communities. We provide training programs, educational workshops, and community celebrations for more than 10,000 visitors annually.
About The Role
The Farm Manager manages and oversees the Urban Adamah Farm, focusing on the cultivation of annual crops, care for perennial plants, and animal husbandry. This role involves hiring and supervising farm support staff and contractors to execute a wide range of farming tasks, ensuring the farm operates efficiently and sustainably.
The Farm Manager also works closely with program staff to design and facilitate farm-based activities that engage program participants and volunteers, enriching their experience and fostering a deeper connection to the land. This position reports directly to the Facilities Director.
The Farm Manager has a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture and food justice, a deep interest in education and community engagement, as well as curiosity or prior knowledge about the connection between Jewish values and land stewardship. The candidate should be collaborative, resourceful, and capable of managing a diverse range of farm operations.
CROP & LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT
Manage all aspects of crop production, greenhouse operations, and animal husbandry.
STAFF & VOLUNTEER SUPERVISION
Lead and support the farm team, fostering collaboration among staff, apprentices, and volunteers.
FARM PLANNING & MAINTENANCE
Ensure the farm operates smoothly through planning and upkeep of infrastructure and resources.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAM COLLABORATION
Facilitate program participants’ hands-on connection with the farm. Collaborate with other staff to provide farm-based education and experiences.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
The Farm Manager also works closely with program staff to design and facilitate farm-based activities that engage program participants and volunteers, enriching their experience and fostering a deeper connection to the land. This position reports directly to the Facilities Director.
The Farm Manager has a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture and food justice, a deep interest in education and community engagement, as well as curiosity or prior knowledge about the connection between Jewish values and land stewardship. The candidate should be collaborative, resourceful, and capable of managing a diverse range of farm operations.
CROP & LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT
Manage all aspects of crop production, greenhouse operations, and animal husbandry.
- Oversee all aspects of annual and perennial crop management, including propagation, greenhouse operations, transplanting, weed management, and harvest
- Manage animal husbandry including ruminants, bees, and chickens
- Ensure adherence to sustainable farming practices and no-till growing methods
- Monitor and improve soil health through composting, crop rotation, vermiculture, compost tea, and other practices
- Plan and coordinate pest and weed management strategies in alignment with sustainable farming practices
- Manage and coordinate harvest plans and oversee harvests
- Coordinate and manage care of ~.75 acres of perennial plantings and landscaping
STAFF & VOLUNTEER SUPERVISION
Lead and support the farm team, fostering collaboration among staff, apprentices, and volunteers.
- Supervise farm apprentices, volunteer groups, and seasonal farm staff
- Welcome, train, and supervise volunteers on site
- Manage and plan hiring for seasonal farm staff
- Interview and hire seasonal farm staff and farm contractors with support from the Facilities Director
FARM PLANNING & MAINTENANCE
Ensure the farm operates smoothly through planning and upkeep of infrastructure and resources.
- Develop and implement crop plans and work schedules for all farm work
- Work with the Facilities Director to plan and implement long-term plans for enhancing the farm’s infrastructure, systems, and practices
- Manage site-wide perennial maintenance and weeding with support from the Facilities Team
- Develop and manage budgets for farm operations, including supplies, equipment, and labor costs
- Manage maintenance of farm infrastructure with support from the Facilities Team, including fencing, irrigation systems, and tool/equipment storage
- Track and record key farm metrics, such as crop yields, animal health, and pest management outcomes
- Conduct regular assessments of farm safety and maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAM COLLABORATION
Facilitate program participants’ hands-on connection with the farm. Collaborate with other staff to provide farm-based education and experiences.
- Support the program teams to integrate opportunities for program participants, community members, volunteers, and visitors to contribute meaningfully to farm operations, fostering a sense of connection and contribution
- Develop and adapt farm activities to meet the learning goals and needs of diverse groups, including children, teens, and adults
- Provide mentorship to farm staff, program participants, and community volunteers, including hard skills development and sustainable agriculture practices
- Support the program team to provide farm activities that incorporate Jewish agricultural traditions, holidays, and spiritual practices
- Create an inclusive and accessible farm environment for all participants, including people with disabilities or diverse backgrounds
- Lead volunteer days for a wide range of ages, abilities, and interests
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
- Collaborate with partner organizations to assess and respond to food distribution needs in the community
- Create opportunities for volunteers to participate in farm and food distribution work
- Manage harvest and distribution of produce in collaboration with our current partners
- Facilitate effective collaboration among the farm team, fellows, and staff to ensure seamless food distribution
- Track and document food production and distribution to share impact metrics with stakeholders and funders
About You
You are passionate about Urban Adamah’s mission and have the background and experience to manage our annual and perennial crops. You see how the farm fits into the bigger picture of Urban Adamah’s mission, and are excited to collaborate with program organizers across Urban Adamah.
We are open to applicants with varying levels and types of experience, provided that the applicant displays the skills required to successfully execute the job described above. You might be a good fit if you possess/demonstrate the following:
COMPETENCIES AND STRENGTHS
Administrative & Organizational Excellence
Self-Awareness & Partnership
Communication, Collaboration & Customer Service:
Strategy & Problem Solving:
EXPERIENCES THAT COULD LEAD TO YOUR SUCCESS
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE POSITION
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee in this position. Some accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to succeed in the role.
We are open to applicants with varying levels and types of experience, provided that the applicant displays the skills required to successfully execute the job described above. You might be a good fit if you possess/demonstrate the following:
COMPETENCIES AND STRENGTHS
Administrative & Organizational Excellence
- Self-starter: You thrive in environments where you get to hold the operationalization of your assigned workload
- Excellence in organization: You are highly organized, able to track and execute on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, and are detail oriented
- Prioritizing: You are comfortable maintaining multiple channels of communication (text, email, phone, Slack) and independently managing your workflow to keep projects on track
- Tech-savvy: you are very comfortable with Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Slack, and database systems like Salesforce (additional tech savvy is a bonus)
Self-Awareness & Partnership
- Ownership: You take broad responsibility for your work and approach tasks and priorities with a critical mindset
- Openness: You regularly seek, incorporate, and share new information and feedback
- Balanced: You demonstrate a good balance of self-confidence and humility, able to name and make the most of your strengths, and open to feedback that will lead you to grow and develop as a professional
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion: you value the diversity of insight, perspective, and experience brought by people from diverse backgrounds. You are committed to reflecting on and addressing inequities stemming from privilege and oppression in your community
Communication, Collaboration & Customer Service:
- Possess strong interpersonal skills: You communicate and collaborate well with a range of colleagues and other stakeholders
- Collaborative: You enjoy learning from and with talented colleagues, and are excited to be part of the success of the whole organization
- Customer service oriented: You appreciate the powerful impact of providing prompt responses to support inquiries, meeting people’s needs proactively, and treating staff and other community members with respect and care
Strategy & Problem Solving:
- Adept at planning: You think ahead and can plan for projects or tasks several months in advance
- Problem solver: You enjoy problem solving, seeing it as an opportunity to connect with and support others and the organization
- Analytical: You are a critical thinker with a high level of analytical/interpretive thinking and problem-solving skills.
EXPERIENCES THAT COULD LEAD TO YOUR SUCCESS
- 4+ years of general farm experience in sustainable agriculture, including crop production, greenhouse management, and/or animal husbandry
- 2+ years of farm management experience including designing crop plans, managing farm crews, animal husbandry, weed management, and irrigation scheduling
- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing crop plans, work schedules, and farm operations management
- Experience supervising and mentoring staff, apprentices, or volunteers in a farm or similar hands-on work environment
- Knowledge about the connection between Jewish values, soil stewardship, and education
- Knowledge of and commitment to sustainable agriculture practices, such as no-till farming, crop rotation, composting, and pest management
- Familiarity with farm infrastructure maintenance, such as irrigation systems and greenhouse maintenance
- Previous experience developing or facilitating agricultural education programs for diverse audiences, including youth and adults
- Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Experience working within a nonprofit or mission-driven organization, particularly one focused on community, education, or social justice
- Proficiency in record-keeping, tracking key metrics such as crop yields, harvest data
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE POSITION
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee in this position. Some accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to succeed in the role.
- Office and communication tasks including typing, writing, reading, hearing, and speaking
- Standing and walking for several hours, as well as sitting, squatting, crawling, climbing
- Lifting up to 50 lbs.
- Working outdoors in all weather conditions including rainy, wet, cold conditions
- Operating farm equipment and tools, such as wheelbarrows, hand tools, and small machinery
- Performing repetitive tasks, such as planting, weeding, and harvesting, which may require fine motor skills and stamina
- Carrying, pushing, or pulling materials, such as compost, soil, or farm supplies, across uneven terrain
- Kneeling or bending for extended periods while performing tasks like planting or weeding
- Climbing ladders or scaffolding for pruning, repairs, or other maintenance tasks
- Handling livestock or other animals, which may involve lifting, guiding, or restraining
Additional Details
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This is a full-time benefit, and exempt position that includes healthcare, holidays, and paid time off. The salary range for this position is $72,000 to $82,000 per year. Comprehensive benefits include:
SCHEDULE
This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position. General hours of employment are onsite 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday. The Farm Manager may occasionally be asked to work on an evening or weekend, for which correlating time off will be given. The Farm Manager will be responsible for scheduling or ensuring completion of weekend farm chores such as animal chores and volunteer crews.
SUPERVISION
This position is supervised by the Facilities Director.
This is a full-time benefit, and exempt position that includes healthcare, holidays, and paid time off. The salary range for this position is $72,000 to $82,000 per year. Comprehensive benefits include:
- 100% health care coverage for self and 50% coverage of dependents in a Silver Tier Kaiser plan or its equivalent in our carrier’s options
- 80% coverage of dental insurance for self
- Paid vacation days beginning at 15 days; 20 days in second year; incremental increase to 25 days
- 5 paid sick days per year
- Up to 20 paid holidays (a mix of both national and Jewish holidays)
- Company matching contribution to Simple IRA beginning the first of the month after the first anniversary of hire
- A pre-tax FSA for medical, dependent care, and transit
- Paid and unpaid parental, medical, and bereavement leave (following 1 year of employment)
- Paid Jury Duty leave
- Unpaid time off
SCHEDULE
This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position. General hours of employment are onsite 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday. The Farm Manager may occasionally be asked to work on an evening or weekend, for which correlating time off will be given. The Farm Manager will be responsible for scheduling or ensuring completion of weekend farm chores such as animal chores and volunteer crews.
SUPERVISION
This position is supervised by the Facilities Director.
Application Details
We deeply value the diversity of insight, perspective, and experience brought by people from diverse backgrounds. This includes Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian people, LGBTQ, and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities, Black Jews, Jews of Color, Sephardi and Mizrachi Jews. We also welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds. We affirmatively seek to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION INCLUDES:
Cover letter, resume, three professional references with how you know them.
Applications will be received and reviewed until January 8, 2025. After this time, we may continue to review applications on a rolling basis, however, encourage candidates to apply before the deadline and/or as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the application or the position, please contact Jonah Tabb at jonah@urbanadamah.org.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION INCLUDES:
Cover letter, resume, three professional references with how you know them.
Applications will be received and reviewed until January 8, 2025. After this time, we may continue to review applications on a rolling basis, however, encourage candidates to apply before the deadline and/or as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the application or the position, please contact Jonah Tabb at jonah@urbanadamah.org.
Application Closed
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.