Manifest Love Farming Manager

Round the Bend Farm (RTB), a Center for Restorative Community, located in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, is a 115-acre working farm and educational non-profit.  We are a living laboratory that cultivates, educates, and empowers people of all ages.  We are devoted to the global paradigm shift toward hope and abundance by valuing diversity, modeling nature, and redefining wealth.  RTB is seeking a passionate and motivated individual to join our team as a full-time Farming Manager for our Manifest Love program. We are accepting applications until end of day on Wednesday, MARCH 5, 2025.  Anticipated start date is March/April 2025. 

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Our Manifest Love Farming Manager position requires a highly motivated and energetic individual; someone who is passionate about RTB’s mission, local food systems, and plant-based foods.  This teammate will participate in the overall mission of RTB, working closely with (and overseeing) our Manifest Love team in all aspects relating to vegetable and fruit production and land management for our Manifest Love program. 

Our Manifest Love program (a collaboration between RTB, YWCA Southeastern MA, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, NorthStar Learning Centers, and Sacred Birthing Village) is a free weekly food share program for approximately 150 families in New Bedford.  Food share contents are grown on approximately 5-6 acres at RTB and occasionally gleaned from nearby farms as well. 

At RTB, we use a synthetics-free farming philosophy, rooted in regenerative relationships and a mix of biodynamic, permaculture, agroforestry, and soil remineralization practices. We emphasize sustainability, natural relationships, ecological vibrancy, and working in ways that mirror our mission of valuing diversity, modeling nature and redefining wealth.  

Working alongside the Manifest Love farm team in a daily capacity – and in concert with our extended RTB team and volunteers – this position will be involved with and responsible for all aspects of growing & harvesting agricultural produce for our Manifest Love program.  Duties include, but are not limited to the following:  crop planning, seed sowing, greenhouse and nursery care, soil & field preparation, transplanting, weeding and cultivation, perennial and tree care, harvesting, seed saving, propagation, efficient management and direction for RTB team and volunteers, food storage, food processing and preparation (harvesting, washing, bagging) for distribution of Manifest Love food shares. Winter tasks may include, but are not limited to: unheated greenhouse management, crop planning, food processing, supporting education initiatives for the Manifest Love program, and various duties that support the multifaceted nature of our non-profit organization.  

While not a primary focus, this position will at times (when needed) act as a liaison with the RTB educational team to support providing tours, demonstrations, direction, and educational contexts for our agricultural work to visiting students and the general public. 

To a great degree, the above work will be performed outdoors (directly in the fields); however, this position may also include participation in shared community cooking, post-harvest processing & preservation, monthly Open Farm Days, and occasional support of other farm projects as needed. 

This work will be physically demanding and challenging, but also grounding, nourishing and rewarding. We aim for a 40-hour per week commitment, however natural variations in seasonal workload and conditions will require openness and flexibility around work hours in the high season, and some days may run longer than others. 

QUALIFICATIONS

As an organization that strives to value diversity in all that we do (it’s even part of our mission!), we take care and place extra value in continuing to diversify our team. Candidate preferences include the following:  

• At least 3 years of intensive agriculture or commercial farming experience (regenerative agriculture preferred)
• 2- 5 years of experience in crop management
• 2 years of experience managing a team (teammates, volunteers, etc.)
• Familiarity with dry farming, soil health, mineralization, cover cropping and/or tractor operation all helpful
• Persevering work ethic and ability to work well under time constraints and to meet deadlines
• Focused attention to detail and quality, with strong organizational skills and a positive attitude
• Ability to communicate effectively (in a clear and concise manner) with our team and management, with the ability to accept direction and guidance and ask questions when unclear
• Ability to communicate effectively with volunteers and students of all ages 
• Ability to work both independently and in groups of diverse people
• Commitment to working in the scope of RTB’s mission *preference may be given to those who have an active interest in environmental and social justice issues pertaining to both local and global food systems*
• Passionate about creating and sharing healthy, good food, and helping provide healthy food access and education, especially to marginalized communities
• Desire to respect and care for the health of soil, plants, animals and humans
• Personal maturity, mindful self-awareness, dependability, and flexibility
• Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions
• Ability to pass a Mandatory Criminal Record (C.O.R.I.) check
• Physical ability to lift and move 50 lbs 
• A valid driver’s license
• Ability to work on occasional nights and/or weekends

COMPENSATION

• This is a full-time, 40-hour per week salaried position, exempt from overtime. Annual salary range is $45,760- $55,160, depending on experience. With benefits, the total compensation package range is approximately $64,000- $76,000.
• Benefits paid by RTB include the following (numbers listed are specific to Fiscal Year 2025):
• Pension Plan: RTB contributes 10% of the employee’s gross salary, fully vested from the first day of employment (no probation period). This is a 403(b) plan which is equivalent to a 401(k) plan. In addition to RTB’s allocation, a teammate can opt to allocate additional funds from their paycheck. $3,432/fiscal year 2025
• Health & Dental insurance *90-day waiting period 

Note: *RTB pays for 75% of the health & dental premiums for the first three years of employment; after 3 years of employment, RTB pays for 100% of the premiums. $7,850.79/fiscal year 2025

• Life Insurance, Short-term & long-term disability *30-day waiting period $420/fiscal year 2025
• Flexible spending account (Full-time & part-time) $60/fiscal year 2025
• Fringe benefits: Health & Wellness (herbal apothecary, supplements, sauna, annual massage, occasional team celebrations), Food, and (optional) Lodging: $3,200-$15,000/year (depending on optional housing if available)
• Thirteen paid holidays per year $1715/fiscal year 2025
• Paid vacation & wellness days (80 vacation hours & 56 wellness hours for full-time) (50 vacation hours & 35 wellness hours for part-time) $2,244/fiscal year 2025
• RTB may provide room & board and internet access. Housing may include a private place to sleep (in a tiny house) with access to our new bathhouse (including laundry facilities and a sauna) and shared access to our commercial kitchen and library spaces with internet access. Please note:  This job is not contingent upon living on the farm.  Additional responsibilities to contribute to the community are required if housing is available and an employee chooses to live on the farm.
• Weekday lunches crafted from delicious, vibrant, farm produce
• Hands-on learning environment focused on all aspects of sustainable living
• Buzzards Bay breezes, SouthCoast sunsets, and stargazing/moon views from goat rock

HOW TO APPLY 

Please complete the RTB Candidate Questionnaire (https://forms.gle/jXPPk4e5hMW71aEF9) and send a letter of interest telling us about yourself and detailing your motivations and qualifications for this position, along with a detailed resume and two professional references. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed/ considered. *If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. Also, please feel free to note in your application which pronouns you use.

Please send materials via email (preferred) to Heather (heather@roundthebendfarm.org) or via snail mail at:

Round the Bend Farm 

92 Allens Neck Road

South Dartmouth, MA  02748

Attn: Heather Zine

*ROUND THE BEND FARM (RTB) IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER*

RTB values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ folks, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. RTB is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category

 prohibited by local, state or federal laws.