FARM MANAGER 2026

JOB DESCRIPTION

Common Ground / the New Haven Ecology Project is a center for learning and leadership, inviting people across ages and identities to connect to their urban environment, build community, grow into their full potential, and contribute to a just and sustainable world. We work toward this mission through active, authentic learning rooted in justice and our environment: a farm, in a forest, in a city.

Our farm is a valuable resource for both the CG High School, Education Programs and our local community. It includes a 1 acre mixed vegetable and flower production farm, greenhouses, three season high tunnels, compost operation and a variety of livestock. The Farm Manager brings deep knowledge of sustainable production; demonstrated skill leading and supervising a farm team; and the ability to engage meaningfully with others. The Farm Manager has a major role in education and community engagement on the farm and will co-supervise and train our Green Job Corps High School crews, adult seasonal interns, and volunteers, in addition to supporting other school and community programming needs as needed. Together, they share responsibility for planning, coordinating, and implementing all farm activities in support of Common Ground’s mission and strategic goals. This is a full time, year round position that reports to and collaborates closely with the Farm Director and Food Justice Education Coordinator. 

 VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

• Manage farm tasks efficiently and thoroughly in accordance with the current crop plan co created with the farm director

• Co-develop future crop plans with the Director of Agriculture.

• Responsible for managing production of approximately 13,000 pounds of produce and flowers annually. Activities include: creating weekly plans around greenhouse management, planting, weeding, bed preparation, integrated pest and disease management (IPM), harvest and post harvest handling, animal care, soil health strategies, irrigation, and record keeping.

• Work alongside the team in all aspects of daily farm operations.

• Staying up to date with “new” best practices 

• Implement and lead GAPS for food safety and all farm SOP’s

• Record keeping for soil health management, IPM, harvest, invoicing, season evaluation and other data points

• Responsible for processing coordinating with our partners Peels & Wheels around compost production and training

• Maintain farm infrastructure, tools, machinery, irrigation, and systems; identify and communicate emerging needs.

• Responsible for coordinating micro Maple Sugaring operation.

 

LIVESTOCK

• Co-Coordinate daily care for livestock: turkeys, ducks, chickens, goat & sheep, including: mucking, daily water and feeding, and other regular tasks like egg washing and hoof care

• Assist in the management of animals: buy/order supplies as needed, research, communicate with veterinarians

• Work with the farm director on maintaining yards as safe educational spaces

• Support working with student clubs, GreenJobCorps students and Summer Interns and the animals

 

MARKETS

• Ensure that there are appropriate markets for our produce including activities like:

  • Mobile Market, Farm Vegetable Share (CSA) program or Farm Stands, Farm To School Program/CGHS Kitchen

  • Co-Manage our Spring Seedling Sale including production and care of approximately $18000 worth of seedlings.

 

EDUCATION

• Recruit, hire, teach curriculum, and manage cohort of 3 to 5 Emerging Urban Farmer Summer (adult) Interns 

• Support management of 6 Green Jobs Corps High School workers during the school year and summer

• Supervise and train student volunteers and clubs

• Manage Saturday Volunteer Days, schedule volunteer groups, monitor volunteer emails, and other volunteer opportunities for students and adults 

• Support individual classes, guidance and other student opportunities as need be on the farm (in communication with the Food Justice Education Coordinator)

• Support planning and education for the Annual Fall Farm and Garden Conference

 

ORGANIZATIONAL & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

• Attend organization-wide professional development training and farm department staff meetings

• Support development operations during special events (coordinate with chefs for our annual fundraising events like “Feast from the Fields”)

• Maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, staff and community partners 

 

GENERAL

• Regularly communicate/meet with the Farm Director and Food Justice Education Coordinator 

• Participation in overall organizational professional development, meetings, fundraisers, events and activities.

• Collaborate with the Farm Director on the annual operating budget and capital needs

• Collaborate with the Farm Director to create daily, weekly, and monthly work schedules. Assist with payroll approvals, scheduling needs, and time-off coordination.

 

Job Schedule

This is a full time, year-round position with some seasonal variation. The hours and days required by this job vary with the season and the cycles of work on the farm and at the school. Tuesday-Saturday schedule in Spring, Summer and Fall to support youth and other community programming. Some evening events and weekend farm responsibilities may also be required (including our Spring Seedling Sale, Fall Farm and Garden Conference, annual Feast from the Fields Fundraiser and weekend watering and animal responsibilities). 

 

Minimum Qualifications

• 2 years of farm management or 3 years of farm work experience. Ability to weed, plant, harvest, and pack produce to high quality standards.

• Minimum 2 years supervising staff. Demonstrated management experience (Experience managing and training people to do group and independent tasks)

• Experience training new farmers and engaging volunteers of all ages.

• Ability to operate independently after training and support are offered

• Ability to manage time and have a sense of urgency 

• Ability to communicate effectively with other team members and interest in collaboration.

• Knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices, food systems and food justice.

• Knowledge about and commitment to working for an organization that is committed to social justice, and creating a just, equitable, and inclusive culture

• Experience working closely with a racially and economically diverse urban school community.

• Strong critical thinking, problem solving skills, and ability to work independently.

• Flexibility regarding the often changing needs and schedules of the school and farm.

• Proficiency in Google Drive. 

• Demonstrated experience with projects that require attention to detail and efficiency including careful and accurate data management. 

• Ability to lift 50lbs and willingness to work outside in all kinds of weather.

 

Desirable Skills

• Experience working with small livestock (bees, poultry, goats and sheep)

• Experience with Farmers Markets, CSA and restaurant or farm to school sales 

• Experience in Maple Sugaring (or willingness to learn)

• Drivers License or willingness to get one

• Tractor experience

• Humility, warmth, and a good sense of humor

POSITION DETAILS  

Compensation: Rate commensurate with experience. $55,000-$59,000

Benefits: 

• Produce depending on the season.

• Employees who have worked less than 3 full years at Common Ground get 25 days off during the fiscal year accrued at a rate of 1 day per pay period and the equivalent of 13 organizational holidays (*Farm staff, due to farm needs, regularly work weekends and holidays to care for the farm and animals and figure out alternative dates for time off.)

• Common Ground offers to eligible employees individual, employee plus spouse, employee plus child(ren), or family medical insurance coverage and optional dental and vision plans.

• On a contract year basis, Common Ground will match fifty percent (50%) of an employee’s contribution up to a maximum of two percent (2%) of the employee’s base salary to a 403(b) defined contribution retirement plan or plans established by Common Ground.

 

Position Type: Full time, Tuesday-Saturdays

 

Start Date: Part Time April 28th 2-3 days a week through May 8th, 2026, Full time May 9th.