Farm Manager

Urban Harvest STL: Position Description

Urban Harvest STL builds a community around inclusive and resilient local food systems. We believe all members of our community should have equitable access to fresh, healthy food regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or location and the ability to grow it if they desire. We grow healthy food and community in St. Louis through urban agriculture, environmental sustainability, and public programming. We manage a network of urban farms and distribute the majority of the food we grow through partnerships with other nonprofits to improve fresh food access for St. Louisans impacted by low food access. Every employee is expected to advocate for Urban Harvest STL’s core value of equity, in all aspects of their role in alignment with our organization’s mission and vision, and provide thought leadership for the urban agriculture movement.

Position

The Farm Manager is responsible for managing the regular farm operations of Rung for Women Farm in Fox Park. The Farm Manager will report to the Director of Urban Agriculture and will supervise and manage one full-time farmer and one full-time Farm Engagement Coordinator on the Rung Farm. The farm manager will also work in close alignment with Rung for Women staff, Rung members, and the St. Louis community.

The Site

Rung for Women guides women to explore and pursue successful career pathways in high-demand industries they may not have realized were available to them. Through career coaching and a community of support, Rung members take action toward a better future for themselves – with more salary, more respect, and more fulfillment. Urban Harvest STL works within Rung’s Wellness team to provide members regular access to fresh produce, plan programs to support members’ wellness goals, and provide support for Rung initiatives, when available and as needed. Annually the Rung Farm produces around 4000 pounds of produce, grown in farm rows, raised beds, and a food forest.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is full-time at 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday. Weekend and/or evening hours may be required. Compensation is $46,000 annually and includes a $200 monthly healthcare reimbursement arrangement (QSEHRA), 403(b) retirement plan, paid wellness days, holidays, and vacation. Annual cell phone reimbursement at $50 per month is provided in November. The use of a personal vehicle may be necessary for Urban Harvest STL business, with mileage reimbursement at the federal mileage reimbursement rate.

Accountability

The Farm Manager is directly accountable to the Director of Urban Agriculture at UHSTL and the Wellness Lead at Rung for Women.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise and manage the farm team at the Rung for Women Farm
• Ensure the farm is appropriately staffed to conform to farm safety protocols, which may require working weekend hours.

Production & Management

• Develop, manage, and implement a crop plan and harvest schedule for Rung Farm in collaboration with the Farm Training Specialist
• Assign and implement day-to-day operations on the Rung Farm in support of our mission
• Implement an organic fertility program including cover cropping, composting, and crop rotation
• Implement farming practices required by NRCS EQIP agreements
• Implement seed starting and seedling care for Rung farm, Earth Day sale, and other farms as necessary.
• Participate in on-time harvest and optimal post-harvest handling in accordance with the food safety plan
• Address pest and disease management using organic methods
• Plan, modify and expand irrigation systems as needed
• Appropriately manage greenhouse, especially for worm composting and cultivating seedlings.
• Nurture edible plants in a variety of applications including farm rows, raised beds, food forests, and perennial plants
• Supervise farm upkeep and regular maintenance
• Manage food distribution to members and culinary vendor.

Rung for Women Collaboration

• Serve on the Wellness Team
• Attend all Rung required meetings including but not limited to weekly all-staff meetings, weekly Wellness team meetings, and monthly in-services
• Participate in Wellness Week for each Rung cohort, and set up a free farmers market Monday-Thursday
• Ensure all requirements of the MOU between UHSTL and Rung for Women are met

Education & Community Engagement

• Work with the Farm Engagement Coordinator to map out activities for volunteers on daily farm tasks. Lead volunteers as needed
• Work with the Farm Engagement Coordinator to develop workshop topics based on Rung member and community interest, staff expertise, and resources available.
• Provide education in farming and sustainability for FWS students, Rung members, and the general public as needed

Administrative Duties

• Maintain and adhere to a weekly work log to plan and record details of fieldwork accomplished
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of data pertaining to harvest, distribution, and donations
• Track appropriate farm data: soil test data, fertility methods, crop rotation, seed inventory, supplies, etc.
• Assist in the creation of training materials and standard operating procedures in conjunction with the Director of Urban Agriculture and Farm Training Specialist
• Management of planned site activities, including ordering, scheduling, and logistics
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Skills

• At least two years of organic vegetable farming or gardening experience REQUIRED, Experience in greenhouse production and composting/vermicomposting preferred
• Experience supervising staff preferred
• Experience managing chickens preferred
• Experience with USDA EQIP contracts, a plus but not required
• A passion for urban agriculture, health, and community development
• Ability to work effectively independently and in collaboration with diverse groups of people and stakeholders
• Strong organizational, communication and leadership skills
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs
• Must be willing to use cell phone

To apply, please complete our online. Applications will be accepted until January 5, 2025, or the position is filled. The priority start date is February 3rd, 2025. Please contact with any questions. For more information about Urban Harvest STL, please visit our website.

Equity and Anti-Discrimination Policy

Urban Harvest STL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or marital status in any of its activities or operations. This policy applies to hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, and provision of services. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment on our farms for all community participants, visitors, partners, employees, and board members. We acknowledge that intersecting structures in our food system marginalize, oppress, and exploit Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We also acknowledge that BIPOC growers have shaped agriculture as we know it today, while their crucial contributions have gone largely unrecognized. By centering racial equity, we commit to working toward a just food system in all aspects of our work. We expect that staff members will advocate for our core value of equity in all aspects of their stewardship of our organization’s mission and goals.