Reports To: Field Manager

Staff Size: 1-5

Status and Salary: Non-exempt, Hourly $18 – $24, Production Bonus Eligible, Annual Role with PTO and Health Benefits eligible

Primary Function: 

The Production Manager is primarily responsible for the growth and productivity of the crops grown on-site at Agriberry Farm’s Hanover farm. Managing the farm’s Blackberry (~12 acres) and Red Raspberry (~5 acres) production is the primary responsibility of this role. The production manager’s scope would also include small plantings (>1 acre) of Rabbit-Eye and Southern Highbush Blueberries, Black Raspberries, Purple Raspberries, and Muscadine Grapes. General duties include evaluating plant health, implementing our IPM program including chemical applications, managing fertigation, site evaluations, trellis construction, plant care, and integrating with our field team when primary duties are resolved. Crop protectants are often applied on Sundays when the general field team is off site, so weekend availability is necessary during the production season (May – Nov). 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

1. Using Integrated Pest Management and current best practices to keep plants productive and healthy throughout the harvest season on a timely basis to maximize productivity while balancing site sustainability. This includes applying herbicides and pesticides of a synthetic and/or organic nature depending on ideal chemical class rotation, best product to resolve an issue and operating within federal and state guidelines. 
2. Manages irrigation and fertigation systems on the farm. Ensure plants are well watered and fed according to seasonal needs.
3. Operates (or assists in operating) equipment such as tractors, sprayers, plastic layers, discing equipment and other necessary equipment. 
4. Executes site preparation and planting including soil health, bed preparation, and planting. 
5. Establishes trellis systems for new plantings.
6. Executes plant care and maintenance during the growing season such as primocane tipping in the summer, can utilize a small crew of experienced field workers to execute large scale plant care projects that maximize harvestability and yield. 
7. Safely and responsibly use, inventory and maintain any hand tools provided by Agriberry Farm, such as trowels, hoes, pruning shears, and loppers, and perform maintenance on equipment as needed.
8. Can be responsible for special projects with independent execution such as managing trial plantings from university breeding programs with data collection for follow up, bee keeping, maintaining a functional hot house or infrastructure for season extension, etc.. 
9. Mow and maintain general site health and wellbeing.
10. Works in with the Harvest Team as needed, on general harvest as well as specialty harvest like Blueberries and Grapes, using exemplary Thoroughness, Quality and Speed. 
11.  Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Demonstrated passion for local Farming or the Agriculture industry, with an understanding of Agriberry’s mission.
• Ability to maintain farm equipment such as tractors, mowers, discers, plastic bed layers, and spraying equipment
• Prior experience in the agricultural and/or mechanical field
• Ability to work autonomously and effectively without direct oversight
• Understanding of the balance between maximizing crop productivity and site sustainability. 

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements: 

• Current Pesticide Applicators License for the state of Virginia – Can be waived for the seasonal Role (Field Manager has a certification that allows applications) 
• Previous experience or college coursework in small fruit farming, horticulture
• Valid VA Driver’s License
• Ability to successfully pass a background check and other pre-employment screening
• Fluency in work related English, Spanish is a desirable benefit. 
• Weekend availability for crop protectant applications 

Physical Requirements: 

• Able to tolerate extreme temperatures.
• Able to lift & carry items up to 50 lbs.
• Good physical dexterity.
• Able to stand or sit for long periods of time.
• Able to bend, kneel, stretch, squat, and climb.