Farm Manager

Summary:

The Company is a diversified agricultural company growing forage and commodity grain crops on approximately 4,400 acres near Rio Vista California. Primary crops include alfalfa, feed corn, wheat, and safflower, as well as - cannery tomatoes, sugar beets, corn nuts, Sudan grass, non-confectionary sunflowers, asparagus, rice, milo and grapes.

This is an “at will,” exempt, supervisory position which oversees all aspects of Company’s activities on the farm and serves as the Company’s on-site representative at the ranch, within the local community, and in the agricultural industry at large. To a large degree the Company will be perceived through the actions and representation of the Ranch Manager. The Company currently enjoys a very good reputation, and the Ranch Manager will strive to maintain and promote this reputation at all times.

Compensation:

The salary for the Ranch Manager is commensurate upon experience. In addition to a base salary, the Company currently provides its Ranch Manager with a number of additional benefits, including full health, dental and pension benefits, company housing with paid utilities, paid vacation, and the potential to earn a crop bonus based on the farming operation’s net income.

Farming Duties:

The Ranch Manager must possess the knowledge of all farming practices applicable to the Company. This includes monitoring new practices within the farming industry that may be applicable to the Company’s operation, as well as making recommendations to that end. Innovation and proactive thinking are a must for this position. Attending classes, field trial demonstrations, reading trade publications or otherwise keeping abreast with the industry is an integral part of this process.

The Ranch Manager must possess specific knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Flood and sprinkler irrigation, including the movement of water as it applies to soil types.
• A good working knowledge of the weeds and pests, and soil problems, that may be found from time to time in the crops and soils. To that end, the Ranch Manager will be certified and experienced in the application of herbicides and pesticides, fertilizers and soil amendments, and chemical recommendations.
• The ability to work with and coordinate the Company’s PCA and other agricultural consultants.
• Coordinating all of the company’s contract work (i.e., aerial, chemical, baling & harvesting, etc.).
• The knowledge of and the ability to make recommendations for equipment purchases, major equipment maintenance, seed purchases, fertilizer and chemical purchases and applications, maintenance of housing, fixed and mobile pumps, levees, and all other significant transactions or maintenance projects on the farm.
• The responsibility for the recommendation and construction of custom equipment.
• The ability to be in charge of developing and maintaining a relationship with the Company’s outside vendors that includes visiting vendors at their retail locations, good knowledge of the products provided by current vendors and their competitors, and the ability to work with existing vendors while concurrently seeking out and negotiating the most competitive pricing for products and services.
• The responsibility for recommending and procuring bids for all outside work performed at the farm, and/or regarding the Reclamation District, whose requirements may vary from typical farm equipment repairs and land work to construction projects.
• Knowledge of mechanics, carpentry, plumbing, electrical (including automotive), welding, and hydraulics are important for this position.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Company’s crop accounting system, profit and loss statements, and other related financial statements will be key to grasping the operation’s financial condition. In conjunction with this, the Manager oversees, reviews and approves all ranch operational expenses (i.e., bills and statements).
• Continue to develop a detailed knowledge of the cultivation and harvest of high quality, dairy grade alfalfa.

Responsibilities with Personnel:

The Ranch Manager must lead by example and is directly responsible for:

• The hiring and separation of all personnel. This includes the pre-employment process through an employee’s final paycheck.
• Coordinating the scheduling and work activity of all personnel.
• Ensuring a safe working environment. To that end, the Ranch Manager serves as the Company’s on-site safety officer, responsible for regular safety inspections and the maintenance of related documentation.
• Reviewing the performance of all personnel and the recommendation of all wage adjustments and bonuses.
• The Ranch Manager is ultimately responsible for the relationship between employees and the Company. The Ranch Manager is responsible for overseeing and implementing all Company policies and procedures regarding employees.

General Oversight:

The Ranch Manager is responsible for compliance with all applicable governmental, County, State and Federal regulations and permits as they relate to employees, their safety, water, chemicals, Reclamation District, housing, burning, environmental, and Fish and Game.

Although the Pheasant Club is a completely separate entity, and its managers do not work for the Ranch or Ranch Manager, the Ranch Manager has general oversight responsibilities relating to the Pheasant Club regarding land use and any activities that could affect the Company and its reputation. An important part of this responsibility is to foster and maintain a good working relationship with the Manager(s) of the Pheasant Club.

In conjunction with the management of the Pheasant Club, the Ranch Manager is responsible for security on Ranch as well as the Pheasant Club and the patrolling thereof. As such, the Manager must be prepared to handle any emergency that may occur during or after normal working hours, and to be directly involved in any work activity that may arise.

Reclamation District:

Concurrent with the duties of managing the farm, the Ranch Manager also serves as the District Superintendent for Reclamation District. As District Superintendent of Reclamation District, the Ranch Manager is responsible for levee maintenance and inspections, as well as flood fighting and prevention. This includes attending classes and seminars to update and increase knowledge thereof. These duties also include on-site relations with other Reclamation District landowners and/or lessees.