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Lead Farmer - Local Food Heroes Program

Design and Manage Our One-Acre Market Garden Demonstration Site

  • Position: 12-Month Contract
  • $67,000
  • Location: Glen Gardner, NJ

The Opportunity

Join us as Lead Farmer to design, establish, and manage our flagship one-acre market garden demonstration site while supporting hands-on regenerative agriculture education for veteran participants. You’ll be the agricultural heart of our $250,000 Northeast SARE Farming Community Grant project, implementing regenerative methods while providing practical farming mentorship.

This role offers the unique opportunity to build a market garden from the ground up using regenerative agriculture practices while demonstrating farming techniques to veterans transitioning to agricultural careers.

Key Responsibilities

Market Garden Development & Management

  • Design, establish, and manage one-acre market garden demonstration site at Veterans Haven North
  • Implement regenerative agriculture practices using biointensive methods
  • Execute crop planning, succession planting, harvest schedules, and daily farm operations
  • Maintain detailed production records and evaluate growing practices for grant reporting
  • Manage soil health through regenerative practices including no-till systems and cover cropping
  • Oversee harvest, post-harvest handling, processing, and equipment maintenance

Educational Component

  • Provide hands-on instruction to veteran participants through demonstration during farm operations
  • Teach farming techniques through practical work involvement and mentoring
  • Explain farming processes and decisions while carrying out daily operations
  • Support veteran participants in understanding regenerative agriculture principles

Program Support

  • Provide farming expertise and technical input to project leadership team
  • Share insights about growing methods and results for program documentation
  • Contribute production data for SARE grant reporting requirements
  • Participate in meetings as needed to inform program development

Site Operations

  • Maintain demonstration garden as a model for regenerative agriculture practices
  • Coordinate with Veterans Haven North facility management
  • Ensure safety protocols and site security
  • Manage composting and soil building systems
  • Oversee seasonal field preparation and maintenance
Required Qualifications

Agricultural Experience

  • 1-2+ years hands-on farming experience with vegetable production
  • Demonstrated expertise in regenerative agriculture practices
  • Experience with biointensive growing methods
  • Knowledge of soil health, composting, and regenerative farming systems
  • Understanding of crop rotation, succession planting, and season extension

Technical Skills

  • Proficiency with small farm equipment and hand tools
  • Understanding of irrigation systems and water management
  • Knowledge of integrated pest management strategies
  • Experience with post-harvest handling and processing
  • Ability to maintain accurate production records

Personal Qualities

  • Ability to work independently while supporting team objectives
  • Strong communication skills for explaining farming processes
  • Cultural competency working with veteran populations
  • Demonstrated reliability and work ethic
  • Patience and teaching ability for mentoring beginning farmers
  • Degree in agriculture, horticulture, or related field
  • Military service or extensive experience working with veterans
  • Market Gardener Institute training or similar intensive agriculture programs
  • Experience with direct marketing and farmers markets
  • Permaculture or regenerative agriculture certifications
  • Grant-funded project experience

Compensation

  • Total Contract Payment: $67,000 for 12-month contract period
  • Payment Schedule: Bi-weekly payments (26 payments of approximately $2,577 each)
  • Tax Status: W2 w/option for 1099 contractor position – contractor responsible for all taxes

Work Schedule

  • Duration: November 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026 (12 months)
  • Schedule: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week with flexible scheduling
  • Seasonal Variations: Schedule varies based on agricultural seasons and farming needs

Work Location

  • Primary Site: Veterans Haven North, Glen Gardner, NJ
  • Equipment: Tools and materials provided by Tye’s House
  • Facilities: Access to demonstration garden, storage, and processing areas

This position is funded through the Northeast SARE Farming Community Grant. Employee agrees to:

  • Comply with SARE grant requirements and reporting obligations
  • Maintain accurate records as required for grant reporting
  • Cooperate with grant-related site visits or evaluations
  • Support program objectives and development goals

You’ll be evaluated based on:

  • Establishing and maintaining productive one-acre market garden demonstration site
  • Achieving reasonable yields using biointensive methods
  • Providing effective hands-on learning opportunities for veteran participants
  • Supporting grant objectives and program development goals
  • Maintaining accurate production records for grant reporting
  • Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions
  • Physical capacity for planting, weeding, harvesting, and lifting up to 50 lbs
  • Comfortable with repetitive motions and extended periods of standing/kneeling
  • Ability to operate small farm equipment and hand tools safely
  • Willingness to work variable schedules during peak seasons
  • Termination: Either party may terminate with 30 days written notice
  • Final Payment: Compensation due through last day of work
  • Grant Obligations: Reporting obligations continue through contract end date
  • Equipment: All tools and materials remain property of Tye’s House

Application Process:

  1. Submit application materials through our online portal
  2. Phone interview focusing on agricultural experience and regenerative farming approach
  3. On-site interview including garden tour and practical demonstration
  4. Meet with program staff and current operations team
  5. Reference checks and final selection

Required Materials:

  1. Cover Letter: Describe your farming philosophy and experience with regenerative agriculture
  2. Resume: Highlighting agricultural experience and relevant qualifications
  3. References: Three professional references including agricultural supervisors or colleagues
  4. Portfolio: Photos of previous farming projects or production records (optional)

Application Form


Our Partners

Our program is strengthened by collaborations with established agricultural organizations and service providers:

Questions About This Position?

  • We welcome questions about farming methods, veteran programming, grant requirements, or any other aspects of this role.

Ready to Grow Change?

Join us in creating a market garden demonstration site that serves as both a productive farm and educational model. Help build regenerative agriculture systems while supporting veterans discovering agricultural careers.

Equal Opportunity Employer – Local Food Heroes seeks candidates who share our commitment to regenerative agriculture, veteran empowerment, and sustainable community development.
Join the Local Food Heroes Team

This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number CNE25-001.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.