Head Farmer

Head Farmer

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Works in Collaboration With: Farm Administrator, Farmers, Culinary Team, Merchandising, Sales, Distribution, and Operations

Position Summary

The Head Grower/Farmer is responsible for leading and actively participating in all crop production planning, field operations, and growing activities across Paradise Farms. This role owns the annual and seasonal Master Planting Plan, yield forecasting, crop rotation and succession planning, soil health strategy, irrigation oversight, and daily field execution across all production areas while working alongside the farming team.

This position is accountable for crop quality, marketable yield, labor productivity, production efficiency, and the timely identification and resolution of issues affecting crop performance.

As a working leader, the Head Grower/Farmer performs and oversees planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvesting, pruning, soil management, and post-harvest activities while providing direction, training, and support to the farming team. The role is responsible for implementing regenerative growing practices, maintaining soil fertility, managing compost and cover crop programs, monitoring crop health, and ensuring the proper application and documentation of approved inputs.

Working in collaboration with the Farm Administrator, Farmers, CEO, and COO, the Head Grower/Farmer maintains accurate production records, harvest reporting, field logs, and audit-ready documentation while ensuring compliance with USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, Paradise Farms' regenerative farming practices, food safety requirements, and internal operating procedures.

The Head Grower/Farmer is accountable for measurable production outcomes, disciplined field operations, continuous improvement in soil health and crop performance, proactive communication, and maintaining a productive, safe, and efficient farming operation.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Planting Strategy

· Develop and maintain the annual and seasonal Master Planting Plan for all production areas, including row crops, orchards, greenhouse, shade house, and specialty production.

· Translate revenue objectives, merchandising priorities, and sales forecasts into acreage allocation and production targets.

· Align crop production with Retail, Wholesale, CSA, Farmers Markets, Culinary, and Distribution demand.

· Design crop rotation, succession planting, and harvest schedules that maximize production while improving soil health.

· Continuously evaluate crop performance and adjust planting schedules based on sales trends, weather, pest pressure, and operational capacity.

· Analyze projected versus actual yields and implement corrective action plans.

· Identify new crop opportunities and recommend varieties based on profitability, seasonality, and customer demand.

· Present weekly production forecasts, harvest projections, production risks, and crop availability to leadership.

Field Operations & Team Leadership

· Lead daily field operations while working alongside the farming team.

· Develop weekly and daily work plans.

· Supervise, train, coach, and develop Farmers and seasonal labor.

· Establish productivity expectations and accountability.

· Train staff on standardized operating procedures and regenerative growing practices.

· Monitor crop health daily and implement corrective actions.

· Ensure efficient utilization of labor and field resources.

· Maintain organized, safe, and efficient field operations.

Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture

· Lead Paradise Farms' long-term soil health strategy.

· Develop annual soil improvement plans.

· Manage compost, cover crop, fertility, and biological soil amendment programs.

· Coordinate soil testing and interpret results.

· Reduce dependence on external inputs through regenerative farming practices.

· Continuously improve soil biology, water retention, and fertility.

· Document annual soil health improvements.

Irrigation & Water Management

· Develop irrigation schedules.

· Monitor irrigation system performance.

· Promote efficient water utilization and conservation.

· Coordinate weather preparedness.

Compliance, Documentation & Food Safety

· Maintain accurate production records and field logs.

· Ensure audit-ready documentation.

· Maintain compliance with USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and Paradise Farms' regenerative farming practices.

· Support internal audits, regulatory inspections, organic certification audits, and food safety audits.

· Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, traceability, worker hygiene, agricultural water, biological soil amendment, and harvest handling requirements.

Equipment & Facility Stewardship

· Ensure proper operation and care of farm equipment.

· Report maintenance needs.

· Maintain clean, organized production areas.

· Promote safe equipment operation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

· Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams.

· Align production with customer demand.

· Communicate production risks proactively.

· Participate in weekly planning meetings.

Qualifications

· Minimum five (5) years of hands-on experience in regenerative and organic farming, including no-till or reduced-till production, cover cropping, compost management, crop rotation, succession planting, biological soil health management, and integrated pest management (IPM).

· Fluency in spoken English and Spanish is required.

· Demonstrated experience leading farm or field production teams.

· Working knowledge of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

· Working knowledge of USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards.

· Strong analytical, planning, organizational, and reporting skills.

· Ability to interpret production data and make sound operational decisions.

· Proficiency with spreadsheets and production reporting tools.

· Ability to work effectively in South Florida's climate.

Physical Requirements

· Ability to work outdoors for extended periods.

· Ability to stand, bend, kneel, climb, and walk throughout the workday.

· Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

· Ability to safely operate farm equipment and tools.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

· On-time execution of planting and harvest schedules.

· Crop yield versus production forecast.

· Harvest quality and marketable yield.

· Reduction in crop shrink and production losses.

· Soil health improvement.

· Compliance with USDA Organic certification, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and successful completion of regulatory and third-party audits.

· Documentation accuracy.

· Labor productivity and field efficiency.

· Water use efficiency.

· Production cost management.

· Achievement of production goals.