Organization:​ Southeastern Housing and Community Development

Position:​ Farm Manager (Full-time permanent)

Location: ​Denmark, SC
Start Date: ​Immediate
Compensation: ​$20 - $22/ hour with benefits

Overview:
Southeastern Housing and Community Development (SHCD) is a nonprofit organization
established in 1976 that fosters self-sufficiency and community development by providing
holistic housing, social and economic opportunities for individuals and families. “Growing
Healthier Communities” is a program of SHCD developed to catalyze an equitable and
sustainable local food system focused on empowering residents to increase their self sufficiency
by cultivating food, teaching skills for healthy living, and providing opportunities in food
entrepreneurship. These goals are met through the services, projects, and collaborations of the
Bamberg County Health Coalition and Saltcatcher Farms. The Coalition facilitates collaboration
and grassroots organizing focused on a mission of empowering Bamberg County residents to
improve their health and achieve economic stability by connecting them with education and
resources that create a better quality of life. To realize this mission, Saltcatcher provides the
physical space, infrastructure and programming to support the work of both the coalition and the
broader food system work of SHCD.

Saltcatcher Farms is a community teaching center and gathering space located in Denmark, SC
(Bamberg County) where residents can cultivate food sovereignty through education and
access while securing economic empowerment through green jobs. By providing tangible
examples of low-cost, low-tech demonstrations and training, the farm encourages residents of
all ages to see farming, gardening, and food entrepreneurship as an accessible tool to improve
their physical, mental and financial health. Emulating the businesses it aims to cultivate, the
farm is run with an entrepreneurial approach designed to create jobs and support the
community through mission driven revenue generating activities. Youth and adults can roll-up
their sleeves and dig-in for transformational experiences in growing, cooking, and eating fresh
fruits and vegetables. The project is intended to build the physical and social infrastructure
necessary to bring residents, local organizations, schools, and businesses together to build a
resilient local food economy.

The Farm
Saltcatcher Farms is located in rural Denmark, SC and includes a 5 acres site which is currently
comprised of 20 raised garden beds, a tool library, a high tunnel, a greenhouse, compost area,
pollinator habitat, main-line irrigation, fencing, and storage shed. All edible food production is
conducted above ground in raised beds and containers with the potential for in-ground

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production at another 5 acre farm site owned by SHCD. Plans for the existing farm location
include the upfitting of a production greenhouse, wash/pack line, walk-in cooler (using a
cool-bot), the use of large cisterns for stormwater control and use, pollinator habitat, cover crop
demonstrations, commercial scale composting, laying hens, outdoor classroom, and a teaching
kitchen. Available equipment beyond small engines and hand-tools includes two small John
Deer tractors (850/1050) and a Ford Ranger farm truck. Saltcatcher is currently overseen by the
Executive director with two employees providing daily oversight as well as part-time support
from SHCD maintenance staff and technical support from a project consultant (as well as
community partners). In addition to the Growing Healthier Communities, the site is also home to
the Lumber to Livelihoods program focused on rural economic development through green jobs
in the lumber industry leveraging materials from deconstructed houses and excess timber to
create small batch dimensional lumber. Currently lumber, mulch, and sawdust from the project
are being used as a building material at Saltcatcher.

Position
The Farm Manager at Saltcatcher Farms has the opportunity to play an active and integral role
in the planning and development of a unique and pioneering project and program working with a
broad range of organizations and individuals in rural South Carolina. In the first year, the Farm
Manager position will be focused on reaching the infrastructure and programmatic goals as well
as managing the daily operations for Saltcatcher Farms at the current location. The position
includes all aspects of daily operations of the 5-acre site including the planning, planting,
maintenance, harvesting, distribution, and oversight of the garden as well as those staff and
contractors working on-site. In the future, the position will include in-ground production
management at the alternate location. As a farm grounded in sustainability, the operation needs
to include an understanding of the environmental, social, and economic aspects of the farm
operation including utilizing organic practices (non-certified), empowering community members
through education, and acting as a catalyst for social entrepreneurship by engaging in and
promoting revenue generating activities on the farm. This includes annual vegetable and
perennial production, laying hens, and management of revenue generating distribution activities
(FoodShare, raised bed kits, etc). This position requires commitment to and skill with working
collaboratively with people from many backgrounds and creativity in managing the unique
challenges of a teaching farm growing above ground. The Farm Manager will coordinate the
Growing Green Jobs farm activities, ensure produce delivery to FoodShare and other
customers, and work with the Community Engagement Manager and organizational partners to
ensure a strong connection to the community (including working with volunteers). The Farm
Manager will be responsible for continuing to build healthy soil for production – serving as the
steward for an environmentally, economically and socially viable farm. This position will report to
the Executive Director, work collaboratively with the Community Engagement Manager, and
supervise the activities of maintenance staff and interns.

Compensation
This is a full-time, exempt employee position at 40 hours/week. This position requires some
evenings and weekend work, as well as a heavier workload during the season over the
off-season. Adjustments to hours worked and a flexible work schedule are available. The hourly
rate range is $20 - $22/ hour, depending on qualifications and experience. Saltcatcher Farms
provides a generous benefits package including employer paid group health insurance, 401k

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match, paid sick and vacation time and holidays in accordance with the Southeastern Housing
and Community Development Handbook.

Essential Duties & Responsibility

● Develop long-term integrated plan for farm operations, with the Executive Director and
Community Engagement Manager;
● Develop and implement annual crop plan, with planting and harvesting schedule for
each season;
● Develop and implement marketing / distribution plan for produce, aligned with SHCD
strategic goals and in cooperation with the Executive Director, and other key staff;
● Develop a season extension plan with the existing and future hoop houses;
● Purchase seeds, supplies, tools and equipment; maintain tools & equipment ongoing;
● Manage planting, irrigating, weeding, harvesting, washing, packing and delivering
produce;
● Maintain the full site for public use, ensuring a positive experience for anyone on site;
● Track farm operations and data, including crop plans, energy consumption, harvest log,
germination rate, planting schedule, growth tracking, compost production and soil
nutrient management soil testing), sales tracking (lot #s, storage, invoicing);
● Research farm security methods and processes and determine viability of security
systems; oversee implementation of systems;
● Ensure compliance with Food Safety Regulations;
● In collaboration with the Executive Director, identify and hire additional farm production
staff, workshare members, interns and volunteers;
● Coordinate and manage the Growing Green Jobs Program; about 3-5 young adults
aspiring to work in the agriculture industry;
● Supervise farm production staff and Growing Green members, as well as volunteers
working on the farm;
● Utilize sustainable organic agricultural methods, including weed and pest management
and development of soil structure through composting and other organic methods;
● Responsible for compliance with all city, county and state agricultural, food and safety
policies;
● Be an active and articulate ambassador for Saltcatcher Farms;
● Assist with preparation of farm reports for grant applications and reports;
● Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
● 3+ years vegetable farm management using sustainable agriculture practices
● Mission driven, passionate, and self motivated
● Experience in crop-planning, post harvest handling, and distribution specific to direct
market outlets
● Experience working with and building relationships with a wide range of diverse or
underrepresented groups and individuals
● Knowledge and interest in the unique and complex aspects of growing above ground
● Experience operating and maintaining tools and farm equipment
● Comfort working in a fast-paced, young and growing project

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 ● Valid driver’s license
● Computer skills required to develop budgets, communicate with colleagues, use
software to plan and track farm operations
● Ability to work independently and collaboratively
● Ability to work weekends and evening hours during peak growing season
● Commitment to mission and values of Saltcatcher Farms, including sustainability,
community empowerment, social justice and racial equity

Preferred additional qualifications

● Interest and commitment to establish and maintain relationships with all staff,
representatives of local and state agencies, other community organizations and
individual community members
● Working knowledge of organic farming standards and techniques
● Experience in permanent raised-bed production
● Experience in working with accounting staff to manage an operating budget
● Experience in high tunnel production
● Interest and experience living and working in a rural community
● Training in food safety principles and practices
● Basic carpentry and mechanical skills
● Ability to manage assets resourcefully – equipment, labor etc.

Physical Requirements

● The ability to work outdoors in all weather, including cold, hot, windy, rainy, as needed.
● The ability to operate machinery and small engines.
● The ability to lift bags and farm supplies.

To apply, send your resume and cover letter to ​rthomas@scrha3.org with “Saltcatcher Farm
Manager” in the subject line. Applications are currently being accepted and the position is open
until filled. Position posted 2/6/2020.

Southeastern Housing and Community Development is an equal opportunity employer and all
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected
veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For applicants with any special
needs, SHCD will provide reasonable accommodation to complete the application upon request.
To request an accommodation to support your participation in the application or interview
process, please email to ​rthomas@scrha3.org​ with your request.