Glebelands Market Garden – Head Grower

Background:

Glebelands Mkt Garden operates an 8 acre site and farmshop on a main road close to Cardigan. It serves x500 customers per week and is well known locally.

We concentrate on classic market garden crops backed up with some field vegetables.

Our catchment is increasingly diverse but remains an area strong in Welsh language and culture, close to beaches, decent schools and a rich cultural life.

The business is owned by two experienced, but ageing, growers and employs another 9 people to cover field and shop activities. Our site has x4 polytunnels, a newish borehole and an onsite composting system.

While demand remains strong we have sought to futureproof ourselves against the greater winds, drought and rain of recent seasons and maintain viable cropping.

Options to increase both production and retail continue for someone able to drive further development.

We have a history of starting successful ecological enterprises, eg Ecoseeds Ltd and Unicorn Grocery Ltd, and would like to see that work continue. Short term accommodation onsite is an option.

Managing site operations when owners not present.

Maintaining and developing our 12 month cropping programme.

Overseeing and supporting our farmshop operations and staff.

Developing our sowing, planting and cultivation systems to support profitable cropping and farmshop display.

Ability to motivate, lead and support a diverse team, operating in all weathers.

Familiarity with, or willingness to learn, tractor based field cropping and use of ancillary implements.

Experience with, or ambition to, maximising a protected cropping programme.

Experience in, or ability to learn, buying or trading grocery and fresh produce.

Numeracy and recognition of spreadsheets as a business tool.

Awareness of, and ability to, market our offer and remain competitive.

Physical fitness and determination appropriate to what can be, at times, gruelling work.

Ability to speak Welsh, or enthusiasm to learn, is highly desirable.

Options to continue professional development and direction of the business.

Salary £25,000 per year based on average 4 days per week, plus annual bonus and 20% grocery discount.

We work alternate weekends, with holidays to fit seasonal working pattern.