Farm Manager

~ Hope Farms serves as a complementary and critical layer to expand the Recipe for Success Foundation mission to combat childhood obesity by addressing community health in a powerful and new way. ~

Located on 7 aces in view of Houston’s downtown skyscrapers in the Sunnyside neighborhood, Hope Farms grows over 30,000 pounds of produce a year. The farm is a valuable resource for local residents and the city at large, providing access to healthy, cooking, gardening and nutrition education programs for all ages. We train and provide small-business incubation, co-op services and workforce readiness for U.S. Veterans, preparing them to be urban agri-preneurs. The farm is also a gathering place, offering a weekly market, and public events that celebrate local food and the power of shared meals to build community. 

Since 2005, Recipe for Success has been on the front lines of the childhood obesity epidemic. Our programs have empowered more than 50,000 youth in Houston and beyond with the knowledge and skills to make a lifetime of healthy eating decisions. Through efforts including the nationally offered Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education™, Farmers MarKIDS curriculum, Eat It! Food Adventures children's cookbooks, the VegOut! 30 Ways in 30 Days Challenge that gamifies healthy eating, along with Hope Farms in Houston, the Foundation  aims to change lives by making healthy food fun, tasty, affordable, easy and accessible. Our vision is to inspire a world where healthy eating is the norm and a culture where nutritious food is shared, appreciated and celebrated. 

Position Overview

The Farm Manager role is a dynamic position fundamentally critical in the farm's success. Working directly with the Chief Agricultural Officer, the Manager will help the continued build out of the farm and expand food production and be involved in all aspects of establishing the farm as a regional model and positioning it for long-term success, including: high-volume, intense vegetable production using organic methods; implementing sound business practices involving supply chain and inventory management; teaching and mentoring participants in the farmer training program; and interacting with the community.

Responsibilities

• Day to day responsibilities include managing planting, cultivation, pest, disease and weed control, irrigation, harvest and post-harvest handling, quality control, sales and distribution.
• The manager assists with operation of an on-site farm stand, Farm Share/CSA program, restaurant and farmers’ market sales and deliveries; and builds and maintains relationships with local chefs and other retail and wholesale partners. 

Qualifications

Key qualifications include but are not limited to:

Food Production:

• Experience managing a profitable, small commercial farm a plus. 
• Must have a minimum of two years experience working in agriculture and exhibit in-depth  knowledge of organic and sustainable agriculture methods and techniques.
• Hope Farms utilizes small scale, intensive growing methods to maximize and optimize production of fruits and vegetables on the urban farm.
• Knowledge and experience working with permaculture techniques is ideal, as well as a strong desire to continuously improve the farm as a healthy and productive ecosystem for all living things. 
• Mechanical knowledge and skills in operating and maintaining various farm equipment (including BCS walk-behind tractor). 
• A high level of understanding the business of farming including utilization of state of the art software and other technology as it relates to bookkeeping and maintaining records (excel, database, log books, calendar, email) in support of crop planning, inventory control, production, distribution, pricing, budget, sales and educational components of the farm. 
• Previous experience and/or knowledge of raising poultry for egg production and maintaining bee hives for both honey production and to benefit general ecosystem. 
• Knowledge and experience of growing food in southeastern Texas is ideal but not required. 

Health and Food Access:

• A passion and fundamental belief in the importance of food access and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables to improve public health.
• Obesity and other diet-related illnesses are ravaging communities and impact not only overall quality of life but also the vitality and health of the social and economic systems.
• Access to affordable produce can play a critical role in transforming the health and well-being of children, adults and society at large. 
• A deep belief and understanding in the power of food and community as the tenets to physical, emotional and spiritual health. 

Community and Relationship Building:

• Hope Farms is an integral component of the neighborhood and Houston at large. Cultivating positive and healthy relationships is fundamental to the success of the farm.
• The Farm Manager engages and interacts with a diverse population on a daily basis, including local community members, visiting school groups, volunteers, donors, politicians and veterans.
• The Farm Manager must possess strong communication skills and the ability to be inspiring, open, honest and understanding with people from diverse backgrounds, experience and ages. 

The Role as an Educator:

• Must exhibit a demonstrated ability and desire to teach others the fundamentals and core techniques of how to grow food.
• The Farm Manager plays an important role in the Farmer Training program, which requires the ability to organize and supervise daily educational farm tasks in addition to participating in classroom work that focuses on farming techniques, philosophies, and small-business management practices, such as crop planning, inventory control, supply chain management, direct marketing, CSA implementation, budget management and other business tools.
• The ability to facilitate engaging experiences around agriculture for various community and school groups. 

Other Qualities:

• Be guided by the vision and mission of the Recipe for Success Foundation and work under the supervision of the Chief Agricultural Officer, in addition to collaborating with other members of the Recipe for Success team. 
• A commitment and desire to serve others and do positive work in the world. Additionally, being a kind and compassionate human with the personal characteristics and qualities of patience, openness, strong communication, understanding of oneself, and ability to truly listen to others. 
• A strong, self-motivated work ethic with the ability and desire to work independently as well in close physical, mental and emotional proximity with others. 
• A dedication, understanding and appreciation of Quality. 
• A valid driver’s license and sound driving record. 
• Must pass a drug screening and background check. 

Compensation and Benefits

• The Farm Manager is a full-time, salaried position, with contribution to health insurance, two-week paid vacation and holidays. 
• Salary range $32,000 to $40,000 commensurate with experience.