Farm Manager

Farm Manager

Smith Family Farm | Oberlin, Ohio

Smith Family Farm is seeking a hardworking, self-motivated, full-time Farm Manager to oversee the daily agricultural operations of our 67-acre family-owned farm in Oberlin, Ohio. The farm includes cattle, goats, poultry, vegetable production, a greenhouse, a fruit orchard, pastures, barns, and farm equipment.

This is a hands-on management position combining livestock care, crop production, organic farming practices, and maintenance of agricultural land, facilities, and equipment. The manager will manage all farm-related employees and be responsible for sourcing and managing farm labor. Our current team includes one full-time farmhand and a few part-time farmhands. The manager will take responsibility for keeping the farm’s agricultural areas clean, orderly, safe, and consistently well maintained. We place a high value on attention to detail and the visible condition of our working farm.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for cattle, goats, chickens, ducks, and turkeys; monitor animal health, maintain livestock records, and coordinate veterinary care.
• Keep livestock shelters, fencing, gates, watering systems, and pastures clean, secure, and in good working condition.
• Plan and carry out planting, cultivation, and harvesting of vegetable gardens, greenhouse crops, and the fruit orchard.
• Manage irrigation, weed control, soil health, composting, and seasonal crop planning using organic farming practices.
• Maintain a high standard of upkeep across agricultural areas, including mowing and trimming around farm buildings, controlling vegetation along fence lines and farm lanes, and keeping work areas free of debris.
• Keep barns, feed and supply storage areas, equipment areas, and agricultural access routes clean, organized, and accessible.
• Operate and care for tractors, UTVs, implements, trailers, small engines, tools, and farm vehicles; perform routine inspections and minor repairs and coordinate larger repairs.
• Plan daily, weekly, yearly and seasonal agricultural work, including feed inventory, planting, harvesting, equipment maintenance, and preparation for severe weather.
• Manage all farm-related employees, including the current full-time and part-time farmhands, by setting priorities, scheduling and assigning work, providing training, and checking completed work. Source additional farm labor as needed and manage staffing to meet daily and seasonal agricultural needs.
• Coordinate with the property maintenance employee and outside contractors on work involving agricultural facilities and equipment.
• Identify problems promptly, recommend practical solutions, and communicate work priorities and concerns to management.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who notices problems early, follows through on solutions, takes ownership of the farm’s condition, and leads by example. The ideal candidate has experience in several of the following areas and the ability and interest to learn the others:

• Diversified farms or CSA operations
• Horticulture, greenhouse, orchard, or vegetable production
• Livestock care and small-farm operations
• Farm equipment operation and maintenance
• Grounds maintenance, mowing, and vegetation management relevant to agricultural properties

Candidates should be comfortable with daily physical work outdoors, seasonal demands, and managing farm employees and sourcing labor. Strong organizational skills and a consistent approach to cleanliness, equipment care, and farm upkeep are essential.

We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Fifteen (15) days (120 hours) of Paid Time Off after successful completion of the introductory period
• Long-term employment with a family-owned farm
• Opportunity to improve farm operations, production, and the condition of agricultural facilities

PTO and holiday scheduling are subject to management approval based on operational and seasonal needs.

Schedule

This is a full-time salaried position. Hours vary seasonally and may include early mornings, occasional evenings and weekends, holiday livestock care, and additional hours during planting, harvest, or severe weather.