Overview
A nonprofit farmer training organization based on Whidbey Island, Washington, is looking for a seasoned Farm Manager to oversee production operations and guide emerging sustainable agriculture leaders. This position offers a distinctive chance to merge practical organic vegetable and seed farming with significant educational contributions within a purpose-driven organization.
The ideal candidate will possess entrepreneurial vision and creativity, with the ability to recognize broader opportunities and drive organizational growth while enhancing operational efficiency. Future plans include incorporating regenerative livestock management and hay production within the next 35 years, with the possibility of expanding into a larger, multi-location operation across the island. Whidbey Island is roughly 45 minutes from Seattle (90 minutes total travel time including ferry). The successful candidate will thrive in a community-oriented setting and be passionate about the organizational mission.
Primary Responsibilities
Team Leadership: Lead and mentor farm staff and apprentices with diverse experience levels; promote regenerative techniques and economically viable farming methods; exercise independent operational judgment while ensuring team accountability for results
Equipment Operation & Troubleshooting: Operate tractors and agricultural equipment; diagnose and fix issues on-site; island location may require longer off-site repairs, making problem-solving essential
Strategic Expansion & Vision: Assume primary ownership for expanding production from 5 to beyond 12 acres over two years; develop and implement 35-year strategies for regenerative livestock and hay production; support expansion across multiple island sites with access to 100+ acres
Systems Improvement: Evaluate existing farming systems and enhance efficiency; implement certified organic and regenerative methods including tillage, tarping, rotational grazing, cover cropping, and pest exclusion with a practical approach
Communication & Collaboration: Maintain regular engagement with the Executive Director and leadership team to align with the community-centered mission; success depends on teamwork
Local Operations: Travel between island farm sites and to farmers markets as needed; organization-provided farm vehicle available
Production Management: Direct daily operations of a certified organic vegetable and seed production farm; manage seeding, transplanting, irrigation, harvest, processing, and marketing
Community Engagement: Represent the organization in the community through public presentations, tours, and outreach initiatives; demonstrate strong interpersonal abilities and alignment with the mission
Cropping Strategy: Develop and execute crop plans with the farm team; align specialty crop production with regional market needs while maintaining efficiency
Soil Health Management: Apply knowledge of soil building and soil health to inform organic and regenerative practices
Entrepreneurial Leadership: Apply creative, entrepreneurial thinking to recognize expansion opportunities, improve efficiency, and create new revenue channels
Financial Management: Oversee multiple market outlets to optimize revenue; manage budgets and production objectives; potential for performance-based compensation tied to sales growth
Documentation & Compliance: Maintain operational logs, monitor progress toward goals, and ensure regulatory compliance with organic certification requirements (operation includes both certified and non-certified parcels)
Qualifications Required Qualifications
Organic Systems Expertise: Experience managing certified organic farm operations and regenerative practices with a pragmatic approach; strong knowledge of soil health and constraints
Documented Track Record: Successful crop planning, budgeting, staff oversight, and sales across multiple market channels; provide documentation of previous farm management roles
References & Documentation: Professional references from former employers; documentation of previous farm management responsibilities
Teaching & Mentoring: Ability to connect with and develop apprentices from varied backgrounds; comfort with public speaking and leading tours
Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate within a nonprofit framework
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Capacity to envision larger-scale opportunities and growth strategies
Leadership Skills: Proven ability to direct farm operations, manage teams, and maintain collaboration with leadership
Location Requirement: Willing to relocate to Whidbey Island or live locally; on-site presence is essential
Legal Requirements: U.S. citizen with a valid U.S. driver’s license
Commercial Management Experience: Minimum 5 years of full-time, hands-on management on a commercial organic vegetable and/or seed farm of at least 10 acres, with demonstrated leadership in scaling production
Preferred Qualifications
Passion for fresh, locally grown food and community involvement
Track record of revenue expansion and meeting financial objectives
Background with seed production, regenerative livestock management, and hay production
Experience with certified organic and non-certified field management
Experience with specialty crops and multi-site operations
Familiarity with nonprofit farmer-training programs or educational farm settings
A sense of complexity, problem-solving ability, and good humor
Why Is This a Great Opportunity
Salary: $80,000 per year (Washington State overtime-exempt)
Performance Incentive: Potential for performance-based compensation tied to increased production and sales revenue growth
Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage
Paid Time Off: Holidays and vacation
Housing Assistance: Temporary housing options during relocation
Equipment & Vehicle: Farm vehicle provided; access to farm equipment
Professional Growth: Shape the strategic direction of an established nonprofit farm; lead expansion across multiple island sites
Work Environment: Pragmatic, mission-driven team; seasonal hours with longer days during peak seasons; weekend farmers markets required
Salary Type: Annual Salary
Salary Min: 80000
Salary Max: 80000
Currency Type: USD
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The ideal candidate will possess entrepreneurial vision and creativity, with the ability to recognize broader opportunities and drive organizational growth while enhancing operational efficiency. Future plans include incorporating regenerative livestock management and hay production within the next 35 years, with the possibility of expanding into a larger, multi-location operation across the island. Whidbey Island is roughly 45 minutes from Seattle (90 minutes total travel time including ferry). The successful candidate will thrive in a community-oriented setting and be passionate about the organizational mission.
Primary Responsibilities
Team Leadership: Lead and mentor farm staff and apprentices with diverse experience levels; promote regenerative techniques and economically viable farming methods; exercise independent operational judgment while ensuring team accountability for results
Equipment Operation & Troubleshooting: Operate tractors and agricultural equipment; diagnose and fix issues on-site; island location may require longer off-site repairs, making problem-solving essential
Strategic Expansion & Vision: Assume primary ownership for expanding production from 5 to beyond 12 acres over two years; develop and implement 35-year strategies for regenerative livestock and hay production; support expansion across multiple island sites with access to 100+ acres
Systems Improvement: Evaluate existing farming systems and enhance efficiency; implement certified organic and regenerative methods including tillage, tarping, rotational grazing, cover cropping, and pest exclusion with a practical approach
Communication & Collaboration: Maintain regular engagement with the Executive Director and leadership team to align with the community-centered mission; success depends on teamwork
Local Operations: Travel between island farm sites and to farmers markets as needed; organization-provided farm vehicle available
Production Management: Direct daily operations of a certified organic vegetable and seed production farm; manage seeding, transplanting, irrigation, harvest, processing, and marketing
Community Engagement: Represent the organization in the community through public presentations, tours, and outreach initiatives; demonstrate strong interpersonal abilities and alignment with the mission
Cropping Strategy: Develop and execute crop plans with the farm team; align specialty crop production with regional market needs while maintaining efficiency
Soil Health Management: Apply knowledge of soil building and soil health to inform organic and regenerative practices
Entrepreneurial Leadership: Apply creative, entrepreneurial thinking to recognize expansion opportunities, improve efficiency, and create new revenue channels
Financial Management: Oversee multiple market outlets to optimize revenue; manage budgets and production objectives; potential for performance-based compensation tied to sales growth
Documentation & Compliance: Maintain operational logs, monitor progress toward goals, and ensure regulatory compliance with organic certification requirements (operation includes both certified and non-certified parcels)
Qualifications Required Qualifications
Organic Systems Expertise: Experience managing certified organic farm operations and regenerative practices with a pragmatic approach; strong knowledge of soil health and constraints
Documented Track Record: Successful crop planning, budgeting, staff oversight, and sales across multiple market channels; provide documentation of previous farm management roles
References & Documentation: Professional references from former employers; documentation of previous farm management responsibilities
Teaching & Mentoring: Ability to connect with and develop apprentices from varied backgrounds; comfort with public speaking and leading tours
Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate within a nonprofit framework
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Capacity to envision larger-scale opportunities and growth strategies
Leadership Skills: Proven ability to direct farm operations, manage teams, and maintain collaboration with leadership
Location Requirement: Willing to relocate to Whidbey Island or live locally; on-site presence is essential
Legal Requirements: U.S. citizen with a valid U.S. driver’s license
Commercial Management Experience: Minimum 5 years of full-time, hands-on management on a commercial organic vegetable and/or seed farm of at least 10 acres, with demonstrated leadership in scaling production
Preferred Qualifications
Passion for fresh, locally grown food and community involvement
Track record of revenue expansion and meeting financial objectives
Background with seed production, regenerative livestock management, and hay production
Experience with certified organic and non-certified field management
Experience with specialty crops and multi-site operations
Familiarity with nonprofit farmer-training programs or educational farm settings
A sense of complexity, problem-solving ability, and good humor
Why Is This a Great Opportunity
Salary: $80,000 per year (Washington State overtime-exempt)
Performance Incentive: Potential for performance-based compensation tied to increased production and sales revenue growth
Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage
Paid Time Off: Holidays and vacation
Housing Assistance: Temporary housing options during relocation
Equipment & Vehicle: Farm vehicle provided; access to farm equipment
Professional Growth: Shape the strategic direction of an established nonprofit farm; lead expansion across multiple island sites
Work Environment: Pragmatic, mission-driven team; seasonal hours with longer days during peak seasons; weekend farmers markets required
Salary Type: Annual Salary
Salary Min: 80000
Salary Max: 80000
Currency Type: USD
#J-18808-Ljbffr