Job Description

Our client, a nonprofit farmer training organization on Whidbey Island, Washington, is seeking an experienced Farm Manager to lead production operations and mentor the next generation of sustainable farmers. This is a unique opportunity to combine hands‑on organic vegetable and seed production with meaningful educational impact in a mission‑driven environment. We're seeking someone with entrepreneurial creativity and vision who can see the larger possibilities and help the organization scale significantly and improve efficiency. Looking further ahead, plans include incorporating regenerative livestock management and hay production over the next 3–5 years, with the potential to develop a much larger, multi‑site operation across the island. Located approximately 45 minutes from Seattle (90 minutes door‑to‑door via ferry), Whidbey Island offers a beautiful Pacific Northwest. The ideal candidate will be open‑minded, comfortable working in a community‑focused environment, and excited about the mission. Key Responsibilities Production Management: Oversee day‑to‑day operations of a certified organic vegetable and seed production farm growing specialty crops; lead all aspects including seeding, transplanting, irrigation, harvest, processing, and marketing. Strategic Expansion & Vision: Take primary responsibility for scaling production from 5 to over 12 acres within two years; develop and implement 3–5 year plans for integrating regenerative livestock management and hay production; help envision and execute the organization’s growth across multiple island locations with access to 100+ acres of farming potential. Entrepreneurial Leadership: Bring creative, entrepreneurial thinking to identify opportunities for expansion, efficiency improvements, and new revenue streams; help the organization think bigger while staying grounded in practical execution. Cropping Strategy: Design and implement comprehensive crop plans in collaboration with current farm team; align specialty crop production with local market demand and ensure operational efficiency. Financial Management: Manage multiple market outlets (wholesale, farmers markets, farm stands, local food hubs) to maximize revenue; maintain budgets and meet production and revenue goals; potential for performance‑based compensation tied to sales growth. Soil Health Management: Apply deep understanding of soil building, soil health assessment, and soil limitations to guide organic and regenerative practices; this is a core driver of the farming philosophy. Systems Improvement: Assess current farming systems and identify opportunities for efficiency gains; implement certified organic and regenerative practices including judicious use of tillage, tarping, rotational grazing, cover cropping, and pest exclusion methods—taking a pragmatic rather than ideological approach. Equipment Operation & Troubleshooting: Operate tractors and farm equipment confidently; demonstrate aptitude for troubleshooting and repairing equipment in the field when issues arise (island logistics mean off‑island repairs can take a month or more, so problem‑solving skills are critical). Team Leadership: Supervise and train farm staff and apprentices with varied experience levels and goals; foster an inclusive, supportive learning environment that encourages both regenerative practices and commercially viable farming approaches; make independent operational decisions while holding team accountable for outcomes. Communication & Collaboration: Engage regularly with the Executive Director and leadership team to ensure collaboration and alignment with our community‑focused mission—this role thrives through teamwork rather than independent operation. Documentation & Compliance: Maintain operational logs, track progress against goals, and ensure regulatory compliance with organic certification standards (note: operation includes both certified and non‑certified fields). Community Engagement: Represent the organization in the community through public speaking, leading tours, and participating in outreach activities; demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and values alignment with the mission. Local Operations: Travel locally between farm sites on the island and to farmers markets as needed; farm vehicle provided. Required Qualifications Commercial Management Experience: Minimum 5 years of full‑time, hands‑on management experience on a commercial organic vegetable and/or seed farm of at least 10 acres, with demonstrated leadership in scaling up production. (Academic coursework, internships, volunteer roles, or recent graduate degrees alone do not meet this requirement). Documented Track Record: Proven success in crop planning, budgeting, staff supervision, and sales across multiple market channels; must provide documentation of past farm management roles (e.g., crop plans, budgets, operational logs). Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead farm operations, manage teams, mentor apprentices, and make independent operational decisions while maintaining collaborative communication with organizational leadership. Organic Systems Expertise: Experience managing certified organic farm operations and implementing regenerative practices with a pragmatic approach; understanding of soil health, soil building, and soil limitations. Entrepreneurial Mindset: Ability to see larger‑scale possibilities, think creatively about growth opportunities, and bring vision to expansion planning. Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills with ability to check in with leadership regularly; not an independent lone wolf operator—must work collaboratively within nonprofit structure. Teaching & Mentoring: Ability to connect with and train apprentices from diverse backgrounds with varied farming goals (from idealistic small‑scale regenerative farmers to profit‑focused commercial farmers); comfort with public speaking and leading community tours. Legal Requirements: Must be a U.S. citizen and possess a valid U.S. driver’s license. References & Documentation: Professional references required from previous employers; documentation of past farm management roles. Location Requirement: Must be able to relocate to Whidbey Island or reside locally; on‑site presence is essential (ferry commuting from Seattle is not feasible for this role). Preferred Qualifications Experience with specialty crops (non‑traditional row crops) in addition to standard vegetable production. Background with seed production, regenerative livestock management, and hay production. Experience scaling production from intensive bed‑based systems to larger field blocks and multi‑site operations. Familiarity with nonprofit farmer‑training programs or educational farm environments. Track record of revenue growth and meeting financial targets in agricultural operations. Experience managing operations across multiple farm locations. Comfort with both certified organic and non‑certified field management. A love of complexity, problem‑solving ability, and a healthy sense of humor. Passion for fresh, locally grown food, community engagement, and building something lasting. Comfortable operating tractors and farm equipment; aptitude for troubleshooting and repairing equipment in the field when issues arise. Salary, Incentives, and Benefits Salary: $80,000 per year (Washington State overtime‑exempt salary threshold; statutory increases apply). Performance Incentive: Potential for performance‑based compensation/commission tied to increased production and sales revenue growth. Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage provided. Paid Time Off: Holidays and vacation time. Housing Assistance: Temporary housing options available to assist with the relocation process while you establish yourself on the island. Equipment & Vehicle: Farm vehicle provided for local travel; access to full range of farm equipment. Professional Growth: Opportunity to shape the strategic direction of an established nonprofit farm; lead expansion from 5 acres to potentially 100+ acres across multiple island sites; develop new enterprise integration over 3–5 years; this could be the capstone role of your agricultural career. Work Environment: Pragmatic, mission‑driven team; seasonally driven hours (typically aim for 8‑5 schedule, extended hours during peak seasons as needed); weekend farmers market participation required. Equal Employment Opportunity and Non‑Discrimination Policy Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. #J-18808-Ljbffr Keller Executive Search

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