silvopasture

Orchard / Silvopasture Manager Needed

Job posting

Orchard Manager ++

(full time & permanent)

All For One One For All (AOOA) is a 14 acre non-profit regenerative silvopasture farm, farm stand, education center and soon restaurant and small scale distillery in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley. The name of the farm is inspired by the famous proclamation in Alexandre Dumas’ Three Musketeers, which captures the heart of the project: to stand up for what is right and enrich our local communities, together. Through responsible farming practices, community workshops, a bountiful and biodiverse harvest, and delicious goods, AOOA aims to promote a rich local food culture, build a connected and more resilient community, and do its part to contribute to a healthier planet.

Job Description

We are seeking an enthusiastic, collaborative, skilled farmer to join the AOOA team as our Silvopasture/Orchard manager. The ideal candidate has at least 10 years of orchard experience, is motivated, reliable and an excellent communicator; has a deep passion for a diverse orchard which enhances habitat for beneficial wildlife; the ability to develop efficient workflows; implement clear and transparent operational procedures; and is committed and excited about building a stellar farm and work environment.

The Silvopasture/Orchard Manager is a full-time (35-50 hours) position with hourly pay commensurate with experience starting at $25/hour. Benefits include 401k, health insurance, PTO and sick days according to NYS standards, and farm goods discount. Some weekend work is needed occasionally during the summer and flexibility is required depending on the weather and workload.

Crops include apples, pears, plums, peaches, cherries/bush cherries/nanking cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, chestnuts, hazelnuts (inoculated with truffle fungus), aronia, elderberries, persimmons, pawpaws, mulberries, hardy kiwi, currants/gooseberries, beach plums, asparagus, horseradish, and rhubarb. Plus incidental crops like black locust flowers, rugosa rose hips, sumac pods, etc. There is potential to develop a small walnut syrup setup. A broad understanding of applied horticulture is required! It is a lot to keep track of. There are spreadsheets. Not everything is fruiting yet; 2023 will be the fourth growing season. We aim for holistic orchard health, primarily using good monitoring, neem, Bt, Surround, and focusing on soil health. We have copper and Pyganic too, but haven’t needed to spray them yet. The orchard is widely-spaced to allow for sheep to graze between the rows (but they don’t ever have direct access to the fruit trees!). We have blocks of small shrubby trees planted for the sheep in between the orchard rows, managed in cooperation with the Livestock Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Plants, tends, weeds, mulches, prunes/trellises, fertilizes, manages pests and diseases, harvests, and propagates orchard trees
Weeds, tends, and adds to wildflower meadow areas.
Maintains and enhances habitat for beneficial wildlife as part of a conservation biocontrol strategy
Co-manages silvopasture trees in coordination with the Livestock Manager
Works with Livestock Manager to coordinate sheep/chicken moves through the orchard, to avoid conflicts with spray/manure/harvest timing
Manages spray program in compliance with the Worker Protection Standard
Coordinates harvests with the farm stand, distillery and future restaurant
Keeps records, creates and documents procedures
Creates tasks that are appropriate for volunteers and manages those tasks
Applies and obtains organic and other certifications, or keeps records in anticipation of future certification applications
Participates in farm tours, field days and workshops as requested
Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies
Promotes continuous improvement of workplace organization, safety and environmental practices
Maintains and improves on the farm's physical appearance so that it is presentable, welcoming and safe for all
Farm equipment, supplies and facilities upkeep, maintenance, management, organization and procurement
Manages Irrigation system
Conducts research and explores new production methods and crops.
Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned
Operates tractors and equipment safely and effectively

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated success and fluency in the management of a tree-based farm ecosystem
Experience with upkeep and maintenance of facilities and farm equipment
Mechanical and technical ability to troubleshoot issues with equipment, irrigation, and infrastructure
Excellent time management and strong sense of pace and urgency
Strong communication skills
Positive attitude and solution-oriented
Strong work ethic and excellent attention to detail
Ability to operate with autonomy
Intention of working at least three full seasons is required. The ideal candidate will be interested in working up to a long-term partnership and has a deep interest in building a farm and work environment they want to be a part of