Veterans Healing Farms is seeking an exceptional Agricultural Manager to oversee and run all day-to-day farm operations on an 11.5-acre farm producing 6,000 pounds of organic vegetables and fruit annually while serving Veterans and their caregivers through garden-based education and therapeutic agriculture programs.
About Veterans Healing Farms
Veterans Healing Farms (VHF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving military Veterans and their caregivers through therapeutic agriculture, garden-based education, and community engagement. Our mission combines sustainable farming practices with meaningful support for those who have served our country, providing healing through connection with the land, healthy food production, and community building.
💡 Why This Role Matters: As Agricultural Manager, you lead sustainable food production serving veterans, manage farm operations and teams, provide garden-based education supporting healing and wellness, and advance our mission of serving those who served our nation.
Job Responsibilities
As Agricultural Manager at Veterans Healing Farms, your comprehensive responsibilities include:
Farm Production Management
- Oversee all vegetable and fruit production operations producing 6,000 pounds annually across approximately 4 acres of farmland
- Implement organic farming practices with strong attention to nutrient management and soil health
- Plan crop rotations, planting schedules, and harvest timelines for year-round vegetable production
- Ensure ecological farming methods including composting, cover cropping, and integrated pest management
- Maintain high standards of produce quality for distribution to veterans and community partners
Team Leadership & Volunteer Management
- Provide weekly supervision and scheduling activities for volunteer workers on farm operations
- Manage seasonal part-time workers and coordinate with VHF staff on agricultural tasks
- Lead volunteer service groups participating in farm work and educational programs
- Train and teach interns and volunteers on organic farming techniques on weekly basis
- Track volunteer hours and maintain records for organizational reporting
Infrastructure & Grounds Maintenance
- Assist in overall grounds maintenance of 11.5-acre farm including 2-acre pond and farm facilities
- Perform routine maintenance including mowing, weed eating, mulching, and trash removal
- Maintain farm buildings, parking areas, storage facilities, and equipment sheds
- Ensure timely maintenance of garden beds, storage areas, paths, and grassed areas promoting safety and agritourism
Irrigation & Water Management
- Develop and monitor irrigation systems throughout farm production areas
- Perform hand-watering as needed for nursery areas, medicinal gardens, and production fields
- Create and manage comprehensive watering schedules ensuring optimal plant health
- Troubleshoot irrigation issues and implement water conservation practices
Planning & Record Keeping
- Work with Director of Operations to create annual production goals and farm budget
- Develop and maintain comprehensive record-keeping systems for farm management
- Track crop yields, expenses, volunteer contributions, and operational metrics
- Document farming activities and maintain organized farm records using Google Drive and Microsoft Office
Distribution & Community Engagement
- Oversee distribution of produce to Charles George Veterans Affairs Medical Center and other area locations
- Manage special agricultural projects supporting veteran services and community partnerships
- Lead farm tours showcasing sustainable agriculture and veteran programming
- Participate in workshops, community events, conferences, and media engagements
Garden-Based Education
- Assist Director of Operations with hands-on garden-based education programming
- Provide weekly lists of potential farm tasks matching educational and therapeutic goals
- Create learning opportunities for veterans, caregivers, and community members through farming activities
- Support mission of healing and wellness through agricultural engagement
Qualifications & Requirements
The ideal candidate will make long-term commitment and possess:
Educational Requirements
- Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Veterinary Science, Horticulture, Agronomy, or related field
- Strong academic foundation in agricultural sciences and sustainable farming practices
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 4 years of hands-on farm work experience in vegetable production
- Preferred: 2 years of farm management experience leading teams and operations
- Demonstrated track record of success in cooperative team environments requiring high levels of planning, communication, and documentation
Technical Skills & Knowledge
- Experience operating farm machinery and power equipment including zero-turn mowers, riding tractors with attachments, BCS tractors, weed eaters, and hand tools
- Proficiency with cropping systems, planting techniques, and harvest operations
- Knowledge of soil biology principles, no-till crop production, permaculture, growing perennials, using cover crops, composting, and soil testing (plus)
- Understanding of ecological and organic growing methods for year-round vegetable production
- Building and construction experience for farm infrastructure projects (plus)
Professional Competencies
- Excellent communication and leadership skills for managing diverse teams
- Ability to work effectively with veterans, family members, caregivers, volunteers, and community members
- Detail-oriented with considerable attention to order, cleanliness, and ongoing commitment to improving systems
- Strong self-motivated work ethic and ability to work independently
- Email communication skills with timely responses and proper etiquette
- Proficiency with Google Drive, Microsoft Word, and Excel for documentation and planning
Personal Attributes
- Interest and enthusiasm for garden-based education and therapeutic agriculture
- Desire to produce food of highest nutritional, culinary, and ecological quality
- Desire to continue learning and growing as person and farmer (continuous personal development encouraged and supported)
- Willingness to work outdoors in all types of weather under potentially strenuous conditions
- Ability to juggle multiple relationships, projects, and responsibilities simultaneously
- Aptitude to engage and cultivate new relationships within community
Organizational Requirements
All candidates must demonstrate:
- Goal-driven, results-oriented mindset committed to organization’s mission serving Veterans and their caregivers
- Understanding of mission, history, values, and goals of Veterans Healing Farms with ability to communicate this to diverse groups
- Ability to work effectively as team member with staff and volunteers
- Ability to maintain confidential information with high ethical standards
- Capacity to adapt to and excel in fast-paced nonprofit environment
- Ability to communicate professionally with volunteers, veterans, staff, board members, and all stakeholders
Who Should Apply?
This farm manager position is ideal for:
- Farm Managers: With organic vegetable production and team leadership experience
- Agricultural Professionals: Seeking mission-driven work serving veteran community
- Sustainable Agriculture Specialists: With ecological farming expertise
- Agronomy/Horticulture Graduates: With 4+ years hands-on farming experience
- Veteran-Friendly Farmers: Passionate about therapeutic agriculture and community service
📩 How to Apply — Agricultural Manager
Email: veteranshealingfarm@gmail.com
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