Live-in Farm Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position: Live-inFarm Manager

Location: Mt. Kisco, NY

Position Type: Full-Time, Live-in Required

About the Farm:

Nonprofit farm committed to regenerative, chemical-free practices. We grow a variety of crops, operate an intensive greenhouse program, and raise cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens with future plans to add horses and goats. We sell our products through farmers markets, our online store, a CSA program, and directly to restaurants. We also operate a small onsite store within the greenhouse and have plans to expand in the future. Five full-time staff members work year-round to support the farm operations. We also operate a growing events and membership program run by our events director.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a full-time, live-in Farm Manager with deep expertise in regenerative agriculture and strong leadership and communication skills. This individual will manage the day-to-day operations of the farm, oversee greenhouse and crop production, supervise all livestock care, direct staff, and take an active role in the farm's long-term development and infrastructure. The farm manager must live on-site full-time at provided housing and be willing to respond to farm emergencies and demands year-round. This role requires the use of technology and systems to track and manage data, tasks, projects and electronic records. The Farm Manager is expected to take full ownership and accountability for all aspects of the farm. They are expected to lead proactively, identify problems before they escalate, and ensure that everything is running smoothly, safely, cost-effectively and in alignment with the farms mission. The farm provides opportunities for ongoing training and professional development in regenerative practices, farm technology, and sustainable design. This position will report directly to the farms owners.

Key Responsibilities:

Staff & Leadership

• Supervise 5+ full-time and seasonal farm employees; provide structure, accountability, and support
• Hire and train new staff members
• Manage schedules, oversee performance, and support skill-building and safety
• Manage, mentor and provide performance feedback and reviews to employees
• Coordinate with owners on short- and long-term goals and initiatives
• Onboard, supervise, and work with vendors; ensure compliance with safety standards and insurance requirements
• Serve as primary point of contact for all farm-related operations and emergencies

Farm Operations & Infrastructure

• Oversee daily operations of the entire farm, including livestock, crops, pastures, orchards, greenhouse, maintenance, and administrative duties
• Manage the design, planning, construction, and operations of farm-related buildings (e.g., barns, farm store, greenhouse, fencing) in coordination with the property estate manager
• Maintain pond water systems; familiarity with water treatment required
• Responsible for all farm equipment, perform and oversee mechanical repairs and maintenance for tractors, tools, and farm equipment
• Ensure detailed and accurate digital record-keeping using FarmBrite system including records required for certifications, animal tracking and health compliance, heritage breed tracking, crop management and farm reporting, and accounting information (no paper systems)
• Use required electronic tools and systems to track and communicate tasks and projects
• Step in to support basic overall estate management responsibilities when needed, including building systems oversight (it is expected that the Farm Manager and Estate Manager will not take time off at the same time)
• Create and maintain emergency plans for animal health, extreme weather, and infrastructure failure
• Work in coordination with events team to support events and membership programs together with farm operations
• Work with ownership to refine and execute multi-year development plans for farm infrastructure, soil restoration, events program support, and animal management and expansion
• Own and manage overall farm budget, preparing annual budget and manage expenses and capital expenditures (in coordination with owners) efficiently throughout year

Livestock & Animal Husbandry

• Own and lead care and management of current livestock (cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens) and future animals (horses, goats, ducks)
• Demonstrate strong, science-based, modern animal husbandry skills: ability to respond to animals real-time needs, not just schedule-based tasks
• Develop and implement a grass-finishing program and maintain grass-fed livestock protocols; develop and implement a high-quality feed program for grain-fed animals
• Maintain sheep and wool program and other animal programs
• Oversee rotational grazing
• Responsible for working dogs (guardian dogs, goose-control dogs/border collies) health, behavior, housing, training
• Manage geese-control and implement pest and predator control strategies (biological and mechanical)

Greenhouse & Crop Management

• Work with greenhouse management to develop and oversee all crop, greenhouse and orchard operations including planting schedules, soil management, irrigation, and harvests
• Apply and train others in science-based regenerative organic practices, crop rotation, and soil building techniques
• Conduct pasture and grassland management, including mowing, reseeding, and fertility planning
• Prepare and open new crops and orchards
• Forestry knowledge a plus future land stewardship and forest management initiatives expected

Required Qualifications (Non-negotiable)

• Must live on the farm full-time
• Demonstrated deep working knowledge of modern regenerative organic practices not just prior experience, but ability to apply and teach principles
• Experience in both livestock management and crop/greenhouse production
• Extensive experience with cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens and goats
• Experience managing agricultural teams and leading with professionalism and accountability
• Strong communication skills and ability to serve as liaison between staff and ownership
• Mechanical aptitude including ability to repair equipment, fencing, irrigation, and diagnose repairs for tractors and heavy machinery
• Ability to design and oversee construction of barns, sheds, and farm infrastructure
• Strong experience in pasture rotation, grass finishing, and grass-fed animal care
• Comfortable managing working dogs and overseeing animal training, housing, and routines
• Capable of identifying animal health issues and responding proactively
• Technically proficient experience using FarmBrite or similar software, and skilled with spreadsheets and data entry, email, and digital messaging
• Working knowledge of water systems and pond treatment
• Experience managing farm finances and budgets
• Capable of stepping into estate management tasks (basic knowledge of home systems, electrical and plumbing a plus)
• Must be comfortable and experienced with firearms, including safe use, maintenance, and secure storage. Must be eligible and willing to obtain a NY State gun license/permit if not already held. Responsibilities include humane euthanasia and predator control
• Bachelors degree or higher (in sustainable/regenerative agriculture, agronomy, animal science/husbandry, horticulture, soil sciences, or related fields strongly preferred)
• Must be a proactive problem-solver who can make sound, independent decisions when needed, while also recognizing when to escalate important issues to ownership
• Strong alignment with the values of ecological stewardship, animal welfare, and sustainable agriculture

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit, educational, or community-based farm settings
• Forestry management or planning experience
• Familiarity with natural building materials and sustainable design principles
• Previous experience building farm related infrastructure or renovations of existing infrastructure (farm store, additional barns, parking and drainage, center of agriculture operations, event spaces)
• Previous experience working with horses

Compensation & Benefits

• $160 180K based on experience
• Health, dental and vision insurance available; 401k plan (to become available later in 2025)