About this opportunity
The Boreal Farm lists this Farm Manager opportunity in northern, Kentucky. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Grow great food in the North. Lead production. Strengthen systems. Help shape the future of The Boreal Farm.
About The Boreal Farm
The Boreal Farm grows Certified Organic vegetables, flowers, herbs, and native plants in the heart of the Boreal forest, just outside Duluth, Minnesota.
Growing food in the North demands creativity, resilience, and a willingness to work with the season instead of against it. That's the work we love.
We're building a farm that values thoughtful systems, continual improvement, and collaboration. From production systems to season extension, we're creating an operation designed to thrive in a short-season climate while strengthening the long-term health of the business.
This role is for someone who...
already knows how to grow diversified vegetables commercially
understands production agriculture in USDA Zones 3–5
has managed crops to meet revenue goals through an entire growing season
enjoys solving problems and improving systems
wants to be part of the team building the next chapter of an established farm
Location: Northeastern Minnesota, just outside Duluth
Employment Type: Full-time, salaried, year-round
Salary: $50,000–$54,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Start Date: Early Spring 2027
Application Priority Deadline: January 2027
Benefits include:
26 days of paid time off, including the farm’s Christmas through New Year’s winter break
Life insurance
Annual gear stipend, plus provided Boreal outerwear for Northern seasons
As The Boreal Farm grows, compensation will evolve with the scope and responsibility of the role.
What You’ll Help Lead
Seed starting, transplant production, and transplant timing
Annual crop planning, rotation strategy, revenue streams, and succession scheduling across a diversified organic system
Field production, soil management, and organic pest and disease decision-making
High tunnel production, system refinement, and future expansion
Irrigation system management and infrastructure development
Solar-powered root cellar management, including food safety and storage protocols, solar system monitoring, harvest-to-storage workflows, crop quality, and stored inventory to extend the sales season to strengthen farm revenue
Harvest workflows, wash/pack systems, yield tracking, and post-harvest quality
Equipment operation and maintenance, including tractors, implements, and irrigation infrastructure
Coordination and training of seasonal staff when additional production help is brought on
Organic recordkeeping, production forecasting, and crop budgeting
You’ll work closely with the Founder to strengthen production, improve systems, and help guide where the farm goes next. We value ideas, experimentation, and honest conversation about what is and isn’t working, along with the shared laugh when farming inevitably has other plans.
Required Experience
This role requires recent, hands-on commercial production experience. It is not designed as an entry point into vegetable farming.
3+ seasons managing or co-managing diversified vegetable production in USDA Zones 3–5
Crop planning and execution across 20+ varieties in a short-season environment
Experience aligning crop planning, harvest, and inventory decisions with customer commitments, sales channels, and farm revenue goals
High tunnel crop production and management
Irrigation system setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting
Pest, disease, and weed management in a production setting
Safe operation of tractors, implements, and common farm equipment
Post-harvest management, including harvest timing, wash/pack protocols, food safety, and quality standards
Experience coordinating and training seasonal staff or other production help when needed
Strong communication, organization, and production decision-making skills
Valued but Not Required
Experience with certified organic production practices
Organic certification recordkeeping and compliance
Experience with soil temperature monitoring and GDD-based planting decisions
Crop budgeting, yield tracking, or production forecasting
Small-scale solar or alternative energy systems
Root cellar, cold storage, or other season-extension storage systems
Experience connecting storage and production planning with extended-season sales
Qualifications
Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs regularly
Valid driver’s license and eligibility for coverage under the farm’s vehicle insurance policy
Ability to work safely and effectively outdoors in Northern weather conditions year-round
Final candidates will be asked to provide two professional references and may be subject to a standard background check.
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Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.