Farm Manager

This is a full time, continuing position located at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC), Morris, MN. The position reports to the WCROC Director of Operations. UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center is a 1,100 acre research farm located near Morris, MN with approximately 500 acres of pasture and 600 acres of crops. As an active farming operation, WCROC has research programs in the areas of Dairy, Horticulture, Renewable Energy, and Swine. WCROC research has national and international impact. The dairy and swine systems require daily care 365 days of the year. The cropping systems provide feed, forage, and bedding for the dairy and swine programs as well as serving as a research platform. A unique aspect of WCROC is the in-house production of certified organic crops and pasture to support certified organic dairy and swine research and production.

The Farm Manager works closely with the Director of Operations, Horticulture Director, Renewable Energy Director, and Faculty to ensure seamless management and operations across the entire WCROC.

The Farm Manager will directly supervise the agronomy supervisor, facilities/equipment/IT supervisor, and livestock supervisor(s) and strive to create a positive and inclusive culture, along with a productive work environment. The Farm Manager will ensure adherence to policy, rules, regulations, contracts, budgets, schedules, and research protocols.

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Major Areas of Accountability (with percentages)

Skills and Competencies of a Successful Candidate

• Prioritize worker safety and health and animal well-being
• Excellent management and communication skills
• Effective in leading a team of supervisors and collaborating closely with faculty/research leaders
• Execute the mission, goals, and objective of the WCROC
• Capable of troubleshooting and responding quickly to changing conditions in farm operations
• Have knowledge and understanding of research methods to deliver high-accuracy/impactful research results
• Account for daily/seasonal production issues, but understand WCROC's research is the priority
• Ensure high level of integrity and compliance with organic certification, manure management and water quality permitting/reporting, and safety training for self and other staff

Essential Functions

Livestock and Land Management (35%)

• Oversees and manage all aspects of livestock production including but not limited to:
  • Daily milking of dairy cows
  • Feeding and bedding of the dairy and swine animals
  • Dairy animal grazing
  • Health monitoring and treatment of cows and pigs
  • Breeding of cows and pigs
  • Inventories of feed
  • Ration formulation
  • Monitoring quality of feed stocks
  • Troubleshooting critical equipment and facility issues
  • Monitoring equipment necessary for the daily care and wellbeing of livestock.
  • Ensuring timely and adequate response to emergencies such as livestock out of pens or downed / stuck cows or pigs
  • Marketing of livestock and milk
  • Record keeping in a searchable and transferable data base form, and adherence to regulated aspects including organic certification of dairy and swine, IACUC, and manure / nutrient / water quality permitting.
• Oversees livestock equipment and facilities maintenance, repair, sourcing (purchasing and leasing), and scheduling.
• Oversee and manage all aspects of crop and pasture production including but not limited to:
  • Seed sourcing
  • Cropping plan / rotation
  • Seed bed preparation
  • Planting / seeding
  • Pest / weed control and management
  • Harvest of forage and grain
  • Maintenance of records including information needed for organic certifications
  • Record keeping of production data in a searchable and transferable data base form
  • Adherence to regulated aspects including;
    • Farm Service Agency reporting
    • Crop insurance
    • Organic certification of crops and pastures
    • Manure / nutrient / water quality permitting
    • Pesticide permitting and storage, and soil testing for nutrient reporting / manure management.
• Oversees cropping equipment and facilities maintenance, repair, sourcing (purchasing and leasing), and scheduling.

Research Management (30%)

• Responsible for implementing and executing research protocols in livestock, crop production, and research that intersects with other programs.
• Ensures the collection of high accuracy data and samples for both operations and research projects.
• Oversees the recording of data and cataloging of samples in a digital and transferable data base or downloading data from portable or mounted units or cloud based systems.
• Actively participates in research activities to ensure quality control and application of technical training and experience.
• Participates or oversees analysis of data, preparation, transfer, and-/- or testing of samples, writing of materials, methods, and-/-or results.
• Overseas tracking, weighing, and harvesting meat and milk as protocols require.
• Provides oversight, training, coaching, and technical expertise to staff and students conducting research.
• Serve as a front-line manager to ensure and guarantee responsible and high quality research products along the entire chain from front-line workers to students to faculty.
• Potential to lead research in areas of specific technical ability or in areas of need or special interest to stakeholders.
• Participate in stakeholder and-/-or research team meetings as well as in WCROC, ROC, CFANS, and UMN meetings as requested.

Site and Facility Management (15%)

• Oversees and manage all aspects of site and facility management including but not limited to:
  • Construction
  • Maintenance and repairs of all center property, building facilities, and infrastructure
  • Environmental health and safety livestock handling
  • Manure handling
  • Waste (septic) and storm water handling
  • Fiber / internet infrastructure and devices
  • Electrical infrastructure and devices
  • Emergency and medical devices and infrastructure
  • Sensors/alarms/monitoring systems
  • Weather station infrastructure
  • Site and pasture weed control, fencing and gating, and livestock waterers,

Personnel Management (15%)

• Directly supervise department / area supervisors including livestock, facilities / equipment / IT, and agronomy supervisors.
• Responsible for on-boarding and setting goals, objectives, expectations, while fostering a positive work climate. Activities include;
  • Training and coaching staff
  • Setting schedules
  • Performing employee evaluations
  • Ensuring adherence to labor contracts
  • Assigning overall tasks
  • Assigning, communicating, and approving overtime as determined necessary
  • Arbitrating disputes
  • Recommending hiring, pay increase, disciplinary action, and termination.
• Fill-in for supervisors that are on leave or during a vacancy and will be required to have an adequate understanding of daily activities within each area.

Outreach (5%)

• Perform outreach in the form of presentations, publications, video, or news / popular press articles regarding research and-/-or activities related to research providing a unique perspective for stakeholders.
• Lead groups of visitors (including children and students) on tours explaining research and farm activities.
• Represent the WCROC and UMN at various meetings and conferences.
• Participate in advisory committee meetings, ROC farm manager meetings, ROC / CFANS / UMN meetings and committees.

Essential Qualifications

• BS/BA degree in animal science, agronomy, ag business / farm management, or related field.
• At least six years of experience in agricultural production and-/- or agricultural research.
• Documented supervisory experience.

Desired Qualifications

• MS / MA degree in animal science, agronomy, ag business / farm management, or related field.
• Experience in an agricultural research setting including data collection and analysis, and technical writing (publications).
• Demonstrated experience with certified organic production systems.
• Documented supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated capability in fiscal and personnel management.
• Demonstrated organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• Experience organizing teams and providing leadership.
• Farm management experience including marketing, purchasing, and inventory of agricultural products / commodities.
• Commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Pay Range: $73,000 - $80,000, depending on education/qualifications/experience

This is a Full-time 12-month, annually renewable, academic professional and administrative (P&A) exempt appointment. Reappointment contingent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

A resume and cover letter are required for consideration.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.