Assistant Farm Manager

MARY'S LAND FARMAssistant Farm Manager Ellicott City, Maryland | Seasonal / Part-Time to Full-Time | HourlyABOUT MARY'S LAND FARMMary's Land Farm is a 160-acre regenerative working farm and historic inn located in Ellicott City, Maryland. Our operation spans livestock, produce, orchards, gardens, a boutique inn, a summer camp, and a growing calendar of seasonal events and agritourism experiences. We are a hands-on, all-hands operation where every team member contributes directly to what makes this place run.POSITION SUMMARYThe Assistant Farm Manager is a critical working role on our farm team. Someone who is just as comfortable getting their hands dirty as they are taking initiative and leading others. This is not a desk job or a supervisory title without substance. It is a physically demanding, outdoor position that requires genuine farm skill, strong work ethic, and the ability to earn trust and operate independently.The right person for this role is someone who can be handed a set of responsibilities and own them whether that's running morning and evening animal chores, directing younger staff through the day's tasks, or being the steady, reliable presence our team depends on during busy event weekends. This role works closely with and reports to the Farm Manager, with the expectation of growing into greater responsibility over time.Hours vary by season, consistent with industry standards. Warm months are the busiest and the most physically demanding given outdoor heat and a full farm and events calendar. Winter and early spring bring reduced hours, with a focus on animal care and greenhouse work.CORE RESPONSIBILITIESAnimal Care (Primary Focus)Execute morning and evening animal chores daily, including feeding, watering, and health checks across all speciesMonitor animal behavior and condition; identify and escalate health concerns to management promptlyMaintain clean, safe, and well-organized animal housing stalls, pens, coops, and pasture areasManage mucking, bedding, and waste removal on a consistent schedulePerform and assist with animal husbandry tasks as needed throughout the seasonWork comfortably in cold, unheated barns during winter monthsIndependent Operations & Staff OversightWork independently to complete daily farm tasks without close supervision once trust is establishedOversee and direct junior farm staff and seasonal workers assigning tasks, setting standards, and ensuring follow-throughServe as a point of accountability when the Farm Manager is off-site or managing other operationsIdentify what needs to get done and take action this role requires initiative, not just instruction-followingProperty & Grounds MaintenanceSupport orchard and garden work planting, pruning, harvesting, and seasonal clean-upOperate tractors, skid steers, and other heavy farm equipment safely and competentlyHandle heavy lifting and physically demanding labor regularly across all areas of the propertyEvents & Weekend SupportServe as a critical operational resource on farm event days festivals, open farm days, private events, and seasonal programmingCoordinate animal areas, grounds, and staff during events to ensure smooth, safe, guest-ready conditionsWork scheduled weekends, particularly during high-season events and busy farm periodsRepresent the farm professionally when interacting with guests, vendors, and visitors on event daysSeasonal ResponsibilitiesSummer/Fall: Full workload animals, grounds, events support, and staff oversight in outdoor heatWinter/Spring: Reduced hours focused on daily animal care in cold conditions and greenhouse workQUALIFICATIONSRequiredMinimum 3-5 years of hands-on experience working with farm animals livestock experience is requiredDemonstrated ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned responsibilitiesExperience supervising or directing others in a working farm or outdoor labor environmentStrong physical fitness able to perform demanding outdoor labor in summer heat, cold winters, mud, and all conditionsExceptional dependability consistent, on-time attendance is non-negotiable in this roleGenuine work ethic with a problem-solving mindset and a low egoComfortable working in cold, unheated barns and challenging outdoor conditionsAbility to lift 50+ lbs regularlyPreferredExperience operating tractors, skid steers, or other heavy farm machineryBackground in orchard, garden, or greenhouse workExperience working farm events, festivals, or agritourism operationsBasic mechanical aptitude for minor equipment maintenance and repairsFirst aid or livestock emergency training a plusSCHEDULE & WORK CONDITIONSOutdoor physical labor year-round in all weather conditionsHours fluctuate seasonally this is standard in agriculture and candidates should be fully comfortable with variable schedulesWarm months (spring through fall): Higher hours, demanding outdoor workload, event weekendsWinter/early spring: Reduced hours with focus on animal care and greenhouse supportWeekend availability required, especially during farm events and high season farm animals do not take days offThis is a role that demands consistency, toughness, and genuine passion for farm work
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