Slow Farm

Last Updated On: December 4th, 2023 at 12:00PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
4700 Whitmore Lake Rd
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105

Primary Contact: Kim Bayer
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 734-277-1017
    Email: slowfarmorganic@gmail.com

Website: http://slowfarmorganic.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Slow Farm is a woman-owned USDA certified organic, biodiverse U-Pick farm and farmstand 3 miles north of Ann Arbor, Michigan. We provide the Southeast Michigan community with heirloom produce, flowers, and a hands-on experience of socially and ecologically-minded growing.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: March 2024
Internship Ends: TBD
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: Until filled
Minimum Length of Stay: Until November 2024

Internship Details:

Slow Farm is a certified organic diversified U-pick farm devoted to the principles of Slow Food, agroecology, and justice in the food system. Slow Farm’s 187 acres are located in SE Michigan, 3 miles north of Ann Arbor, and include woods, native prairie and wetlands.

We focus on heirloom produce and flowers, and provide an organic farm experience demonstrating biodiversity and “closed loop” practices. There are currently approximately 15 cultivated acres at Slow Farm, including 8 acres of perennial or semi-perennial crops. In addition to our Upick operation, we also manage a full season CSA, weekly farmstand, and a number of wholesale accounts.

We are seeking 2 Production Managers, either a couple or 2 individuals, for the next 2 years. One position will have a focus on Field Management, one position will have a focus on Harvest Management. These roles are designed for people who have completed at least 2 seasons of full time farm work and would like to take a leadership role in running a complex operation in preparation for owning and managing their own farm.

Production Managers will train with Farm Managers over the first year, and in the second year will take on the Farm Manager role, overseeing a team of 4-8 people. These positions will run from March to December (or longer).

Job Overview:
The Production Manager’s role is to learn from and work with our Farm Managers to lead and prioritize day-to-day tasks on the farm so that the team is completing what needs to be done to meet the needs of the farm and our upick, wholesale, CSA and retail customers. Farm and Production Managers are responsible for leading the team and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Production Manager Responsibilities include oversight of all aspects of farm production, soil health, financial viability, customer service, and four-season crop planning and production. This role is concerned with meeting production and delivery targets; preventing and managing pests and weeds; irrigation; complying with food safety and organic requirements; operating and maintaining equipment; supervising farm employees; working on farm infrastructure; running our farmstand, Upick, and CSA, and more.

This position requires strong agricultural skills and farm management experience, skill in operating tractors and other farm implements, a passionate commitment to soil health and closed loop practices, and a focus on growing the highest quality food. This position also

requires personal evolution toward equity and self-knowledge, and daily effort toward creating the best possible farm experience for our guests. NOTE: We welcome women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ applicants.

Production Manager Key Responsibilities:
Learns and then leads four-season crop and succession plans with the team to meet production and financial goals of the farm.
Gives focused attention to detail and work well done. Sets and upholds expectations for excellent teamwork and farm production.
Learns to identify and prioritize tasks and weekly labor schedules.
Identifies, measures, and controls insect and weed pests to prevent crop loss.
Monitors and improves soil health and fertility to increase farm productivity.
Operates and maintains our equipment safely and skillfully.
Maintains and improves the overall farm environment and infrastructure.
Works in challenging physical conditions, with the ability to kneel, bend, and lift 40 pounds repeatedly and perform repetitive tasks in challenging weather.
Maintains the highest standards of farm and food safety and NOP requirements.

Pay/Hours/Schedule
March through December, 40-50 hours/week with weekend availability.
$18 hour during 6 month training period. $20/hr upon review with increased responsibility of Assistant Farm Manager.

Application Process:
Fill out the application form here: https://tinyurl.com/2ba6xy7t
Then send your resume along with the name, phone number, email, and title of at least two relevant professional references whom we may contact to: slowfarmorganic@gmail.com

Qualified applicants
Will be contacted for a virtual interview and then may be asked to visit the farm for a half-day working interview.

Educational Opportunities: Yes.

Skills Desired: Yes. Qualifications include: Minimum 2 years of full-season farm work experience. Commitment to 2 years at Slow Farm: 1 year training as Production Manager, and the following year moving into Farm Manager role and providing training. Highest level communication skills along with commitment to working in a team environment with an anti-racist and equity lens. History of increasing responsibility, prioritizing, managing and completing tasks. Current and unrestricted driver’s license. Full COVID-19 vaccination and best practices for safety on farm and at home.

Meals: No

Stipend: Yes. $18-$20/hr.

Housing: No

Preferred method of Contact: Submit resume and references via email or text