Business Manager – Regenerative Farm

Living City Farms is seeking a passionate and results-driven Business Manager to lead the operations, and business development of our community-focused farm. In this hands-on role, you will be responsible for overseeing farm stewardship, driving business growth, and ensuring the success of our farm. You will work closely with our team to cultivate high-quality crops, build strong relationships with the community, and develop sustainable business strategies that align with our values of caring for both the land and the people we serve. If you are a collaborative, solutions-oriented leader with a passion for agriculture and community development, we invite you to join us in nurturing a farm that cares for people, the land, and our shared future.

Key Responsibilities: Farm Stewardship

• Uphold and pursue the continued fulfillment of Living City Farms Three Main Aims.
• Value People
• Build up Good Places in the Community
• Economic Regeneration
• Foster a collaborative team that is focused on the ongoing growth of the farm and its impact in the community.
• Ensure that all safety regulations are followed and promote a safe working environment for all staff.

Business Development

• Develop plans for crop production, budgets, and financial forecasts to manage farm resources effectively.
• Support the research and development of opportunities for revenue growth and expansion to new markets (i.e, cross-promotional partnerships, additional sales outlets, earned-income opportunities, etc..)
• Support the development of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program
• Monitor industry & market trends; collaborate with the LCF team to build a sales pipeline that meets business objectives & customer needs

Communication and OutreachIn collaboration with the Community Engagement & Markets Coordinator;

• Oversee the creation and execution of a communication strategy to promote agricultural products, increase brand recognition, and cultivate a broad customer base
• Lead the farm in developing and implementing volunteer programs, farm tours, farm-to-table dinners, workshops, and other events with the goal of fostering rich relationships with customers and partners, attracting new clientele
• Track & evaluate performance of all engagement activities through data collection and analysis; reports metrics to the President of Good Place Holdings
• Attend community events hosted by outside organizations to increase visibility & awareness of Living City Farms to the public

Plant Cultivation

• Assure compliance with current food regulations and food safety protocols
• Monitor crop health, supervise the management of planting and harvesting schedules, and implement natural pest and disease control measures to ensure quality produce
• Assure optimal irrigation system functionality
• Manage crop data in our Tend farm software
• Lead the farms developments for the design and workflow of the produce processing such as (washing, drying, packing, etc.)
• Lead the farms development of systems for sorting and grading produce for quality excellence
• Further develop cultivation and post-harvest best practices and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)

Key Competencies:

• Regenerative Practices: Understanding principles and techniques of small-scale, sustainable farming, including crop rotation, soil health, and biodiversity. A strong commitment to caring for people and the earth.
• Business Management: Familiarity with business fundamentals, including budgeting, financial management, and strategic planning.
• Regulations and Compliance: Understanding of food safety regulations, local agricultural laws, and organic certification processes.
• Market Trends: Awareness of industry trends, consumer preferences, and emerging opportunities in sustainable agriculture and local food systems.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for leading, outreach, public speaking, and creating engaging content. Ability to take and give clear directions as well as to ask for clarification and receive feedback.
• Project Management: Skills in planning, executing, and evaluating projects, including events, workshops, and community programs.
• Customer Service: Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with customers, partners, and the community, ensuring a positive experience.
• Problem-Solving: Creative and critical thinking skills to address challenges and adapt to changing conditions in the farming and business environment.
• Basic Equipment Maintenance: Oversee the maintenance and repair of farm machinery and equipment to ensure everything is in good working order.

Education and Experience

• Degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Environmental Science, or a related field is preferred.
• Certifications in organic farming, permaculture, or sustainable agriculture practices can enhance a candidate’s profile.
• Farm Management: Hands-on experience in managing daily farm operations is crucial. This includes crop planning, staff supervision, and implementing safety protocols.
• Agricultural Practices: Familiarity with organic farming methods, pest management, and post-harvest practices is vital for ensuring high-quality produce
• Business Development: Experience in developing budgets, financial forecasts, and exploring revenue growth opportunities will be important for sustaining the farm economically.
• Community Engagement: Previous work in outreach, marketing, or community relations will help in building relationships with customers and promoting the farm’s mission.

Work Conditions: The work for this position is conducted in various settings, oftentimes outdoors in varying temperatures.

Physical Demands: While working, the ability to:

• be physically fit and able to withstand long hours on their feet;
• occasionally lift objects up to 25 lbs;
• regularly hear, see, and talk; and
• occasionally walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, and climb throughout the day.

Schedule Expectations This is a full-time position where hours fluctuate with the intensity of the growing season. Generally, we work 40-50 hours per week from March to November with paid overtime for hours worked over 40 and approximately 30 hours per week from December to February. During the growing season, there will at times be required work on weekends and at farmers markets.

Living city Farms is a Good Place Company

Good Place Holdings Purpose is togrow thriving and sustainable organizations and encourage other organizations to apply Good Place principles and values which aim at:

• Valuing people over financial profits,
• The members of our organization are cared for and flourish both in and outside our organization,
• Fostering covenantal relationships with our customers and suppliers,
• The work we do to earn our living builds up Good Places in the communities where we work, and
• Ourselves and others can experience the continuing of creation in us and through our activities.

Good Place Expectation : All employees play a key role in furthering the organization’s purpose and vision through commitment to Good Place principles and values.

Community Impact Businesses Purpose: As a Good Place group of businesses, Community Impact Businesses will build, grow, and encourage community-minded businesses that:

• Encourage the continuing of creation,
• Realize the existence of beauty and its place,
• Bring about wholesome and sustainable improvement,
• Encourage a cross-cultural, mutual respect and embracement,
• Redeem the community base through enterprises, and
• Create employment in the community that embraces the underemployed.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off

Experience:

• regenerative farming: 2 years (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Tallmadge, OH 44278: Relocate before starting work (Required)