Farm Manager for Farm to Table Restaurant (7278)

A farm manager for Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm participates in all aspects of farm work in order to provide our restaurant with sustainable, high quality food. Our 6.5 acre farm utilizes organic, “no harm” practices to grow and care for a wide range of crops, including annual and perennial vegetables, about 100 fruit and deciduous trees and bushes, berries, herbs, flowers and eggs. In addition to being a part of the farm team, farmers are a part of and interact with the restaurant community as well, as they deliver produce directly to the restaurant and support restaurant needs on occasion. So good communication skills and a helpful attitude are a must!

https://www.hellsbackbonegrill.com/work-with-us

Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm, soon to be entering its 26th season, is a James Beard nominated farm-to-table restaurant in Southern Utah. We believe deeply in the importance of organic, locally produced, regionally and seasonally appropriate cuisine. On our 6.5 acre farm, we grow vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, and raise hens for eggs, all of which directly supplies the restaurant. We rely largely on local ranchers for the grass-fed and finished meat we serve. Our commitments to environmental and social responsibility are central to our restaurant and farm. 

Though we are located in one of the most remote towns in the lower 48, Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm is bustling during the season (March through November). Surrounded by the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, and on the scenic road connecting many of Utah's National Parks, our restaurant is a destination for many who come to experience the immense and beautiful wilderness that Southern Utah has to offer.

Essential Functions:

• Work with co-chefs/owners on farm & crop planning to support the goals of the restaurant
• Manage all aspects of farm work, including greenhouse propagation, bed/field preparation, transplanting & direct sowing, irrigation, weeding, mulching, thinning, pest/disease management, frost/weather protections, harvesting, post-harvesting handling
• Maintain irrigation infrastructure, including all physical elements & community relations
• Tend all perennial areas, including orchards, produce, flowers, herbs and ornamentals
• Coordinate fruit harvest from town as needed
• Ensure the health and well-being of all animals on the farm, including regular health checks, sufficient feed and clean water, clean living areas, and a safe and species-appropriate living situation, compassionate end of life care
• Source products such as feed, compost, and mulch 
• Keep all assigned areas attractive and safe for the public
• Maintain compost piles in a way that reduces pathogens and weed seeds and helps support the restaurant’s goal to reduce waste
• Contribute for soil fertility through use of amendments, compost, and cover-cropping
• Manage and maintain all tools and machinery necessary for the farm (hand tools, BCS, weed-wackers, etc.)
• Oversee farm produce inventory in farm walk-in
• Communicate with the restaurant to keep kitchen updated on produce inventory, quantities, and timeline
• Maintain farm harvest records (weights, dates, etc.)
• Supervise farm staff to ensure safe and efficient performance of job duties
• Promote positive and supportive team environment
• Engage with public in a friendly and educational manner in the event of farm visits or tours
• Deliver produce from farm to restaurant
• Oversee & maintain restaurant gardens
• Farm infrastructure improvements
• Community and outreach relations (farm tours, working with other local farmers, attending workshops and conferences, etc.)
• Farm beautification

Personal Requirements

• Knowledge of organic and regenerative agriculture
• Skills associated with sustainable agriculture including but not limited to use of machinery and tools, irrigation infrastructure, all aspects of farm work, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong computer and communication skills- we use Excel, google docs, and do lots of texting and emails. 
• Ability to work well with others in a variety of circumstances
• Possess self-discipline, initiative, solution-oriented mindset
• Ability to receive and offer feedback  

Conditions of Employment:

• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Significant carrying, lifting, pushing &/or pulling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, lifting, & manual dexterity
• Work in extreme & hazardous conditions (mechanical, cuts, burns, high-decibel noise, etc) in varying atmospheric conditionals (sun, heat, wind, thunder, lightning, cold, rain, snow, etc)
• Ability to commit to the entire season of work

Required Experience:

• 3-5 years experience with increasing levels of responsibility on an organic farm
• 1-3 years management experience on an organic farm
• A valid driver's license and a proven track record of operating a vehicle safely, as driving a company vehicle is necessary.

Desired Experience:

• Degree or certificate in organic agriculture
• 5-10 years experience in farm management
• Experience with the following: supervising & evaluating a team of employees, teaching & training beginning farmers, working with a farm-to-table restaurant
• Experience farming in high desert climate with season extension

Personal Requirements

• Knowledge of organic and regenerative agriculture
• Skills associated with sustainable agriculture including but not limited to use of machinery and tools, irrigation infrastructure, all aspects of farm work, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong computer and communication skills- we use Excel, google docs, and do lots of texting and emails. 
• Ability to work well with others in a variety of circumstances
• Possess self-discipline, initiative, solution-oriented mindset
• Ability to receive and offer feedback  

Conditions of Employment:

• • Ability to lift 50 lbs
  • Significant carrying, lifting, pushing &/or pulling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, lifting, & manual dexterity
  • Work in extreme & hazardous conditions (mechanical, cuts, burns, high-decibel noise, etc) in varying atmospheric conditionals (sun, heat, wind, thunder, lightning, cold, rain, snow, etc)
  • Ability to commit to the entire season of work

Work Schedule, Compensation & Housing:

• Full-time (typical work week is 45 hours)
• Tentative starting date of March 3 - December 5
• 5 days/week (Thursday-Monday)
• Benefits include: Employee Assistance Program (mental health services), 50% off employee discount at restaurant, access to restaurant wholesale ordering with no mark-up
• Time off requests granted on a case-by-case basis, depending on workload and co-workers’ schedules
• Housing available onsite in furnished farm trailer (rent of $275/month) 
• Benefits include: Employee Assistance Program (mental health services), 50% off employee discount at restaurant, access to restaurant wholesale ordering with no mark-up