Farm Manager - Sustainable Agriculture & Apprentice Development #0610

A nonprofit farmer training organization based on Whidbey Island, Washington, is looking for a seasoned Farm Manager to oversee production operations and guide emerging sustainable agriculture leaders. This position offers a distinctive chance to merge practical organic vegetable and seed farming with significant educational contributions within a purpose-driven organization.

The ideal candidate will possess entrepreneurial vision and creativity, with the ability to recognize broader opportunities and drive substantial organizational growth while enhancing operational efficiency. Future plans encompass incorporating regenerative livestock management and hay production within the next 3–5 years, along with the possibility of expanding into a significantly larger, multi-location operation throughout the island.

Situated roughly 45 minutes from Seattle (90 minutes total travel time including ferry), Whidbey Island provides stunning Pacific Northwest surroundings. The successful candidate will demonstrate open-mindedness, thrive in a community-oriented setting, and feel passionate about the organizational mission.

Primary Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor farm staff and apprentices with diverse experience levels and objectives; create an inclusive, supportive learning environment that promotes both regenerative techniques and economically viable farming methods; exercise independent operational judgment while ensuring team accountability for results

• Equipment Operation & Troubleshooting: Operate tractors and agricultural equipment with confidence; show capability in diagnosing and fixing equipment issues on-site (island location means off-site repairs may require a month or longer, making problem-solving abilities essential)

• Strategic Expansion & Vision: Assume primary ownership for expanding production from 5 to beyond 12 acres over two years; create and execute 3–5 year strategies for incorporating regenerative livestock management and hay production; contribute to envisioning and implementing organizational expansion across multiple island sites with access to 100+ acres of agricultural land

• Systems Improvement: Evaluate existing farming systems and pinpoint opportunities for improved efficiency; execute certified organic and regenerative methods including strategic tillage use, tarping, rotational grazing, cover cropping, and pest exclusion techniques—adopting a practical rather than dogmatic philosophy

• Communication & Collaboration: Maintain regular engagement with the Executive Director and leadership team to ensure coordination and alignment with the community-centered mission—success in this position depends on teamwork rather than isolated operation

• Local Operations: Conduct local travel between island farm sites and to farmers markets when necessary; organization-provided farm vehicle available

• Production Management: Direct daily operations of a certified organic vegetable and seed production farm cultivating specialty crops; manage all facets including seeding, transplanting, irrigation, harvest, processing, and marketing

• Community Engagement: Serve as an organizational representative in the community through public presentations, conducting tours, and engaging in outreach initiatives; exhibit strong interpersonal abilities and values that align with the mission

• Cropping Strategy: Develop and execute comprehensive crop plans in partnership with the existing farm team; synchronize specialty crop production with regional market needs and maintain operational efficiency

• Soil Health Management: Utilize thorough knowledge of soil building, soil health evaluation, and soil constraints to inform organic and regenerative practices; this represents a fundamental component of the farming approach

• Entrepreneurial Leadership: Apply creative, entrepreneurial thinking to recognize expansion opportunities, efficiency enhancements, and additional revenue channels; assist the organization in thinking ambitiously while remaining grounded in feasible implementation

• Financial Management: Oversee multiple market outlets (wholesale, farmers markets, farm stands, local food hubs) to optimize revenue; control budgets and achieve production and revenue objectives; possible performance-based compensation linked to sales expansion

• Documentation & Compliance: Keep operational logs, monitor progress toward goals, and ensure regulatory compliance with organic certification requirements (note: operation encompasses both certified and non-certified parcels)

Requirements:
Required Qualifications

• Organic Systems Expertise: Background managing certified organic farm operations and executing regenerative practices with a pragmatic methodology; comprehension of soil health, soil building, and soil constraints
• Documented Track Record: Demonstrated success in crop planning, budgeting, staff oversight, and sales through multiple market channels; must supply documentation of previous farm management positions (e.g., crop plans, budgets, operational logs)
• References & Documentation: Professional references necessary from former employers; documentation of previous farm management responsibilities
• Teaching & Mentoring: Capability to connect with and develop apprentices from varied backgrounds with different farming aspirations (from idealistic small-scale regenerative farmers to profit-oriented commercial farmers); comfort with public speaking and facilitating community tours
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal abilities with capacity to regularly check in with leadership; not an independent lone wolf operator—must function collaboratively within nonprofit framework
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Capacity to envision larger-scale opportunities, think innovatively about growth possibilities, and contribute vision to expansion strategies
• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to direct farm operations, manage teams, guide apprentices, and exercise independent operational judgment while sustaining collaborative communication with organizational leadership
• Location Requirement: Must be willing to relocate to Whidbey Island or live locally; on-site presence is critical (ferry commuting from Seattle is not practical for this position)
• Legal Requirements: Must be a U.S. citizen and hold a valid U.S. driver's license
• 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 proven leadership in scaling production (Note: Academic coursework, internships, volunteer positions, or recent graduate degrees alone do not satisfy this requirement)

• Preferred Qualifications
• Passion for fresh, locally grown food, community involvement, and building something enduring
• Track record of revenue expansion and achieving financial objectives in agricultural operations
• Background with seed production, regenerative livestock management, and hay production
• Comfort with both certified organic and non-certified field management
• Experience with specialty crops (non-traditional row crops) in addition to conventional vegetable production
• Experience managing operations across multiple farm sites
• Comfortable operating tractors and farm equipment; aptitude for diagnosing and repairing equipment on-site when problems occur
• Familiarity with nonprofit farmer-training programs or educational farm settings
• An appreciation for complexity, problem-solving capability, and a healthy sense of humor
• Experience expanding production from intensive bed-based systems to larger field blocks and multi-site operations

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.

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Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required b