Round the Bend Farm (RTB), a Center for Restorative Community, located in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, is a 115-acre working farm and educational non-profit. We are a living laboratory that cultivates, educates, and empowers people of all ages. We are devoted to the global paradigm shift toward hope and abundance by valuing diversity, modeling nature, and redefining wealth. RTB is seeking a passionate and motivated individual to join our team as a full-time Farming Manager for our Manifest Love program. We are accepting applications until end of day on Friday, November 1, 2024. Anticipated start date is December 2024 or January 2025.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Our Manifest Love Farming Manager position requires a highly motivated and energetic individual; someone who is passionate about RTB’s mission, local food systems, and plant-based foods. This teammate will participate in the overall mission of RTB, working closely with (and overseeing) our Manifest Love team in all aspects relating to vegetable and fruit production and land management for our Manifest Love program.
Our Manifest Love program (a collaboration between RTB, YWCA Southeastern MA, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, NorthStar Learning Centers, and Sacred Birthing Village) is a free weekly food share program for approximately 150 families in New Bedford. Food share contents are grown on approximately 5-6 acres at RTB and occasionally gleaned from nearby farms as well.
At RTB, we use a synthetics-free farming philosophy, rooted in regenerative relationships and a mix of biodynamic, permaculture, agroforestry, and soil remineralization practices. We emphasize sustainability, natural relationships, ecological vibrancy, and working in ways that mirror our mission of valuing diversity, modeling nature and redefining wealth.
Working alongside the Manifest Love farm team in a daily capacity – and in concert with our extended RTB team and volunteers – this position will be involved with and responsible for all aspects of growing & harvesting agricultural produce for our Manifest Love program. Duties include, but are not limited to the following: crop planning, seed sowing, greenhouse and nursery care, soil & field preparation, transplanting, weeding and cultivation, perennial and tree care, harvesting, seed saving, propagation, efficient management and direction for RTB team and volunteers, food storage, food processing and preparation (harvesting, washing, bagging) for distribution of Manifest Love food shares. Winter tasks may include, but are not limited to: unheated greenhouse management, crop planning, food processing, supporting education initiatives for the Manifest Love program, and various duties that support the multifaceted nature of our non-profit organization.
While not a primary focus, this position will at times (when needed) act as a liaison with the RTB educational team to support providing tours, demonstrations, direction, and educational contexts for our agricultural work to visiting students and the general public.
To a great degree, the above work will be performed outdoors (directly in the fields); however, this position may also include participation in shared community cooking, post-harvest processing & preservation, monthly Open Farm Days, and occasional support of other farm projects as needed.
This work will be physically demanding and challenging, but also grounding, nourishing and rewarding. We aim for a 40-hour per week commitment, however natural variations in seasonal workload and conditions will require openness and flexibility around work hours in the high season, and some days may run longer than others.
QUALIFICATIONS
As an organization that strives to value diversity in all that we do (it’s even part of our mission!), we take care and place extra value in continuing to diversify our team. Candidate preferences include the following:
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At least 3+ years of intensive agriculture or commercial farming experience (regenerative agriculture preferred)
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2- 5 years of experience in crop management
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2+ years of experience managing a team (teammates, volunteers, etc.)
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Familiarity with dry farming, soil health, mineralization, cover cropping and/or tractor operation all helpful
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Persevering work ethic and ability to work well under time constraints and to meet deadlines
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Focused attention to detail and quality, with strong organizational skills and a positive attitude
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Ability to communicate effectively (in a clear and concise manner) with our team and management, with the ability to accept direction and guidance and ask questions when unclear
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Ability to communicate effectively with volunteers and students of all ages
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Ability to work both independently and in groups of diverse people
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Commitment to working in the scope of RTB’s mission *preference may be given to those who have an active interest in environmental and social justice issues pertaining to both local and global food systems*
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Passionate about creating and sharing healthy, good food, and helping provide healthy food access and education, especially to marginalized communities
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Desire to respect and care for the health of soil, plants, animals and humans
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Personal maturity, mindful self-awareness, dependability, and flexibility
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Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions
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Ability to pass a Mandatory Criminal Record (C.O.R.I.) check
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Physical ability to lift and move 50+ lbs
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A valid driver’s license
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Ability to work on occasional nights and/or weekends
COMPENSATION
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This is a full-time, 40-hour per week salaried position, exempt from overtime. Annual salary range is $41,600- $52,000, depending on experience.
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Full-time benefits include worker’s compensation, 403(b) retirement plan, health & dental insurance, flexible spending account, life & disability insurance, paid vacation days (80 hours per year), paid wellness days (56 hours per year) and select paid holidays;
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Depending on availability, RTB may provide room & board and internet access. Housing includes a private place to sleep (in a tiny house) and a shared kitchen/dining/library space with laundry facilities available. (Please note: This job is not contingent upon living on the farm. Additional responsibilities to contribute to the community are required if a candidate decides to live on the farm.)
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RTB supports healing, self-care and celebrations in a variety of ways, which may include bi-annual massages, use of RTB holistic medicinal practices (i.e. herbal tinctures and our BioMat), team birthday celebrations, and sporadic local beach excursions;
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Weekday team lunches crafted from delicious, vibrant, farm produce;
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Hands-on learning environment focused on all aspects of sustainable living;
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Buzzards Bay breezes and silky SouthCoast sunsets
HOW TO APPLY
Please complete the RTB Candidate Questionnaire (https://forms.gle/KAU37PxAMSYWrBteA) and send a letter of interest telling us about yourself and detailing your motivations and qualifications for this position, along with a detailed resume and two professional references. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed/considered.
If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. Also, please feel free to note in your application which pronouns you use.
Please send materials via email (preferred) to Heather (heather@roundthebendfarm.org) or via snail mail at:
Round the Bend Farm
92 Allens Neck Road
South Dartmouth, MA 02748
Attn: Heather Zine
*ROUND THE BEND FARM (RTB) IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER*
RTB values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. RTB is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.