Subject: Vegetable and Greenhouse Production Manager

Description: Farm Description:
Applecrest Farm Orchards is a 100+ acre diversified fruit and vegetable farm located in Hampton Falls, NH. Started in 1913 and now operated by the third generation of Wagner families, the farm is the oldest and largest orchard on the New Hampshire Seacoast. In addition to an on-site retail farm stand, Applecrest operates a 150 member CSA program, attends five local farmers markets every week of the growing season and is a strong supplier to local restaurants, grocers and schools. As a sustainable producer of over two-hundred unique varieties of tree fruits, berries, vegetables, flowers and herbs, Applecrest is a cornerstone of the seacoast-area food shed.
Position Description:
The Vegetable Production Manager will gradually assume responsibility for all components of field and high tunnel production on the farm. Four-thousand square feet of green houses and twenty-five acres of row crop and raised bed horticulture make this a true soup-to-nuts farming position. At its core, the job requires someone comfortable with, and capable of, handling all manner of agricultural tasks at any given hour, on any given day.
While responsibilities will vary greatly according to season, the Vegetable Manager’s main function will be to oversee and assist with the scheduling, preparation, planting, cultivation, harvesting, washing and storage of all propagated, transplanted and direct seeded green crops. Tasks will include basic greenhouse and equipment maintenance, budgeting and costing, field scouting, fertility and pest control, harvesting, crop rotation, cover cropping, irrigation management, product quality control and post-harvest product management. The Manager will be accountable for a host of detail oriented record keeping responsibilities, as well as the day-to-day time management and labor requirements involving a staff of up to six hands.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
In addition to field work, the successful candidate will also assume additional responsibilities assisting the principal farmers with the CSA and local farmers market programs (including both the summer and winter seasons). This will involve the training and mentoring of staff, communicating daily packing and delivery needs to crews, occasionally assisting with share distributions and market booths and the overall preparation of produce for CSA shares and market trucks.
The number of hours per week will fluctuate with the season; as such, the Vegetable Production Manager will be expected to work more hours per week in the spring, summer, and Fall (50+), and fewer hours per week in the Winter (25-35).


Qualifications:
The ideal Vegetable Production Manager candidate will have a minimum of two full year’s hands-on, practical farming experience to include extended season growing. S(he) will possess a well-rounded knowledge of horticultural technique and exhibit great enthusiasm for fresh vegetables, fruit and sustainable agriculture. Applicants for this position, if not already well on their way, should be firmly resolved to the pursuit of a career in farming and wholly enthusiastic about being mentored and trained.
Although this is a “field” position, candidates must love working with people and possess a strong customer service ethic. Equally important are strong written and verbal communication skills, computer/internet skills and proficiency with software including MS Excel & Word.
Term of Employment, Compensation & Benefits:
This is a full-time, year-round salaried working manager position with paid vacation, holidays and health benefits. Actual compensation will be extremely competitive and commensurate with applicant’s previous experience.
How to Apply
If you’re an honest worker and have a proven, strong passion for farming and food, please e-mail your cover letter, resume and salary requirements to jobs@applecrest.com (subject line should read: “Veggie Manager Position”). Please use the cover letter as your opportunity to tell us about you, your strengths and goals and why you’d like to join the Applecrest family! Please feel free to highlight any other skills or personal details you possess that would be valuable to our small family owned and operated farm.

Alternatively, mail your cover letter, resume and salary requirements to:

Applecrest Farm Orchards
133 Exeter Road
Hampton Falls, NH 03844

No phone calls, please.