"Farm Director"

Job Details

Founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1948, Stonehill is a private Catholic college located just 22 miles from downtown Boston on a beautiful 384-acre campus in Easton, Massachusetts. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, the College engages its 2,400+ students in 80+ rigorous academic programs in the liberal arts, sciences, and pre-professional fields.

Faithful to the Holy Cross tradition in education, Stonehill College is committed to developing the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social competencies of its students and seeks to build and sustain a campus community that embraces diversity and inclusion in its teaching, learning, living, and working. Stonehill values a diversity of persons, opinions, and cultural and religious perspectives. In fulfillment of its motto, Lux et Spes (“Light and Hope”), the College cultivates in its students the competence to think, act, and lead with courage towards creating a more just and compassionate world.

The Farm Director oversees the entire operation of The Farm at Stonehill, supervising the planting, harvesting, and distribution of produce, coordinating all volunteer activities, and designing and conducting educational programs at the farm. The Director also teaches courses in the Environmental Science department and supports and develops innovative, interdisciplinary connections with the Stonehill academic community and broader cultural environment around the Farm. The Director serves as the face of the farm on campus and in the community, growing nutritious vegetables using sustainable methods, working with students and the community to develop a strong sense of place and stewardship to the natural world. The Director will support and contribute to local initiatives that address food insecurity, strengthen and build resilient community food systems, while also engaging in efforts to address broader issues of poverty and hunger related to climate change, food production, and food distribution.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned.

Farm duties and responsibilities:

• Executing practical farm activities associated with planting, maintenance, harvesting, and produce distribution.
• Maintaining best practices for organic farming, including pest control, soil testing, etc.
• Buying supplies, such as seeds, starts, compost, and irrigation equipment.
• Monitoring yield, quality, and quantity of produce.
• Ensuring appropriate and timely distribution of yield to community partners.
• Arranging the maintenance and repair of farm equipment and vehicles.
• Ensuring that farm activities comply with government regulations.
• Monitoring the security of the farm and The Farmhouse.
• Applying health and safety standards across The Farm.
• Emphasizing principles of sustainability and promoting biodiversity at The Farm.

Community duties and responsibilities:

• Establishing relationships with local food pantries and feeding programs for purposes of distributing farm produce.
• Oversee wellness opportunities that allow the College to address food insecurity, hunger, and food access in the greater community (ex. Mobile Market).
• Supporting the development of an on-campus community that connects The Farm to the College at large.
• Contribute to the ongoing work of the regional Campus Farmer Network in collaboration with Farm to Institution New England and Campus Compact of Southern New England.
• Engage in local food security initiative meetings such as the Brockton Area Hunger Network and Brockton’s Promise Healthy Start.
• Maintain The Farm’s social media and communication channels, sharing updates through community emails and online platforms.
• Ensure farm participation in Admission, Alumni, and other College-sponsored events.

Education and Outreach duties and responsibilities:

• Teaching one “farm-focused” course during the fall and spring semesters (we are particularly interested in: Sustainable Agriculture or Food Justice).
• Supporting students doing Independent Research Projects, Directed Studies, or Thesis Projects that relate to the work of the Farm.
• Designing educational materials and programs for Stonehill and local communities on topics such as nutrition, sustainability, organic farming, and gardening.
• Advise student groups interested in sustainability initiatives related to The Farm and food justice issues.

Supervisory and Administrative Responsibilities:

• Supervising seasonal farm staff, work study students, and volunteers at the Farm and the Mobile Market.
• Preparing yearly operating budget and overseeing grant and gift-funded resources.
• Planning finances and production to meet budgeted parameters.
• Maintaining accurate financial records.
• Working with the Advancement team to seek funding opportunities from foundations or individuals.
• Developing and maintaining working relationships with various Stonehill offices and organizations, including Food Services, Facilities and Maintenance, Campus Ministry, and student environmental organizations.
• Develop a plan for creating revenue through flower, honey, and produce sales to the Stonehill Community and through collaboration with Stonehill food services.
• Coordinate and communicate with on-campus and independent media and marketing groups.

Education & Experience

A Master’s degree in biological or agricultural sciences, or a related field, is preferred. A Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university, preferably in the biological or agricultural sciences; or B.A. and two to four years’ experience and/or training in farming, urban farming, farming education; or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. A current driver’s license is required.

Interested candidates should submit online a cover letter, resume, and undergraduate transcripts via the URL:

https://jobs.stonehill.edu/postings/26170

Applicants who will enrich the diversity of the campus community are strongly encouraged to apply. Stonehill College is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity.