Red Farm Manager

Summary

The Big Red Farm (BRF) was established in 2012 to offer students the opportunity to engage in the intellectual and physical work of farming. The farm aims to serve as an ongoing experiment in sustainable agriculture. The Lawrenceville Big Red Farm manager is responsible for overseeing daily operations with an eye toward student learning.

The Big Red Farm enriches our community by growing nutritious food through regenerative agriculture methods that connect hands, heads, and hearts to the land. In the words of Lawrenceville alumnus Aldo Leopold (class of 1905), we seek to instill in students a Land Ethic that "enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land."

This is a 12-month position.

• Meet regularly with the Director of Sustainability and the Director of Experiential Education to assess program progress and to undergo strategic planning.
• Supervise operations assistant.
• Work with faculty to supervise the after‑school Lifetime Farming and Sustainability co‑curricular program during the fall and spring terms.
• Work with the faculty and administration to incorporate the farm into other aspects of the school's academic curriculum, house events, dining halls, community service efforts, and overall ethos.
• Assist in the orientation, teaching, and management of BRF faculty farm fellows and summer interns.
• Oversee day‑to‑day operation of the farm in a safe and ecologically sustainable manner, including but not limited to: crop planning, seeding, maintenance, and harvest; care of laying hens and egg harvest; honey bees, guard dogs, and farm cats.
• Maintain supplies, tools, facilities, and equipment, including tractors and attachments, greenhouses & related equipment, farm garage, farm office, basic power tools, vehicles, fencing, and irrigation equipment.
• Assist in planning courses on regenerative agriculture that connect with disciplines such as Science, Religion, and Philosophy.
• Develop long‑range educational, operational, maintenance, and capital plans for the farm that can be completed at current staffing levels.
• Create and manage an education‑focused plan and budget that identifies learning outcomes for farm products and initiatives.
• Coordinate seasonal farm open hours and potential deliveries to local food pantries and other nearby food access organizations.
• Develop, implement, and oversee farm safety guidelines to include students, animals, equipment, food, and worker health.
• Maintain productive working relationships with other farmers on Lawrenceville School property; recommended other farms for sharing resources and knowledge, including Princeton Seminary “Farminary,” other nearby farms, and Rodale Institute.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, philosophy, or related field.
• Three+ years of experience in regenerative agriculture, teaching, and learning; agriculture experience includes planting, harvesting, weeding, animal care, and equipment use.
• USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Serv Safe certifications preferred or the ability to attain.
• Passion for teaching and working with adolescents.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to relate to students, supervisors, staff, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Commitment to Big Red Farm goals.
• Organized, thorough, and detail‑oriented work style, with strong time and task management skills.
• Focus on teamwork, sustainability, and work ethic.
• Ability to manage budgets and expenses.
• Good character, integrity, and adaptability.
• Enthusiasm, sense of humor, and patience.
• Current Adult CPR and First Aid certification preferred or ability to attain.

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Often required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crawl.
• Often required to use hands to handle objects, tools, or controls, and climb…