Farm Manager

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nAbout High Desert Harvest High Desert Harvest is a small, diversified regenerative farm in Northern Nevada, in the high desert of the Eastern Sierra, producing high-quality vegetables, fruit, herbs, and pasture-raised eggs for restaurants, wholesale buyers, farmers markets, and the local community. The farm is positioned 15 minutes from Reno, 10 minutes from Carson City, the capital of Nevada, and 30 minutes from the shores of Lake Tahoe. It is one of the most beautiful locations in the United States. However, the growing conditions are very challenging, at over 5,000 ft elevation in a high desert climate. Entering its third growing season, the farm’s core production is small-scale intensive vegetable farming in greenhouses and field production. The farm also includes laying hens, a small apple orchard being developed as a regional demonstration of regenerative apple production, perennial culinary herbs, and developing food-forest and permaculture-style gardens. Our goal is to demonstrate how annual vegetables, protected agriculture, perennial crops, fruit trees, poultry, soil health, and ecological diversity can function together in a productive and economically viable high-desert farm. Why This RoleReal responsibility with a clear path. This position is designed to grow into Lead Farm Manager, with authority expanding as trust and competency develop.Mentorship from a Regenerative Farmer and Agronomist. Work directly with Chuck Schembre, soil scientist and a regenerative agronomist with over 20 years of farming experience, and gain hands-on exposure to soil health management, soil analysis, sap testing, and biological crop management through EcoSoil Solutions.A farm with a purpose. Help build a regional demonstration of regenerative apple production and row crop vegetables, protected agriculture, and integrated poultry in one of the most demanding growing climates in the country.Live the farm life. On-site housing, food from the farm, space to grow your own, and no commute.A real off-season. November through March offers considerable flexibility for time off and travel.Skin in the game. A performance bonus reviewed at six months, with a long-term path to revenue-based incentives and profit sharing. Position Overview & Working With the Owner The Farm Manager / Farm Manager in Training will work directly with Chuck Schembre, owner of High Desert Harvest and EcoSoil Solutions LLC. Chuck is the founder and owner, and is currently the Farm Manager and wears all the hats necessary to build and operate the business. The purpose of this position is to gradually transition day-to-day farm management responsibilities from Chuck to the Farm Manager, allowing Chuck to spend more time running and expanding the business, including sales, marketing, business development, agronomy, crop planning, and EcoSoil Solutions. This does not mean the Farm Manager will be solely responsible for crop production. Chuck intends to remain actively involved in farming and will continue working alongside the Farm Manager. Crop planning, agronomy, major production decisions, and farm development will remain collaborative. Chuck travels regularly for EcoSoil Solutions and may be away for a week or longer. During these periods, the Farm Manager must be capable of assuming full responsibility for day-to-day farm operations, including crops, irrigation, poultry, employees, harvests, deliveries, and other operational needs. During the first year, the position will include substantial collaboration, training, and oversight. As competency, judgment, reliability, and leadership develop, progressively more responsibility will transition to the Farm Manager, with the long-term goal of becoming Lead Farm Manager. Primary ResponsibilitiesSeeding, propagation, transplanting, bed preparation, cultivation, weeding, and crop maintenance.Greenhouse and field vegetable production, including trellising, pruning, training, fertility applications, and crop scouting.Irrigation scheduling, operation, installation, troubleshooting, and repair.Pest and disease monitoring and implementation of crop-management practices.Harvesting, washing, cooling, packing, order preparation, inventory, and food-safety practices.Orchard management.Management of perennial herbs, food-forest, and permaculture garden areas.Poultry care, feeding, watering, egg collection and handling, pasture management, and poultry infrastructure.Compost management and production.Managing and training a small crew of employees, seasonal workers, and volunteers.Maintaining farm organization, infrastructure, tools, and equipment.Record keeping and crop management office tasks.Over time, a growing role in crop planning, production scheduling, and maintaining accurate production records. Note: Many of these responsibilities will be shared with Chuck the owner, especially in year one as the new farm manager is integrated and the farm is still within a start up and growth phase. Wearing Many Hats High Desert Harvest is a small and growing operation. The Farm Manager must be comfortable wearing many hats and stepping into whatever area of the farm needs attention. In addition to production, responsibilities may include:Playing an active role in farm sales as the business evolves, including farmers markets, a farm share and direct-to-consumer program, restaurants, retailers, and wholesale buyers.Preparing, loading, and delivering produce and eggs to customers.Communicating professionally with chefs, buyers, and customers.Assisting with farm tours, demonstrations, and educational events.Repairing irrigation, equipment, greenhouses, fencing, and infrastructure.Assisting with construction and general farm-improvement projects. Equipment & Practical Skills Candidates should have experience with small-farm equipment, including BCS or similar walk-behind tractors, small tractors and implements, seeders, tillers, cultivation equipment, mowers, sprayers, utility vehicles, and trailers. Experience with loaders, skid steers, forklifts, and larger equipment is a strong advantage but can be trained. Mechanical aptitude and handyman skills are highly valued. Experience with irrigation, plumbing, carpentry, basic electrical work, welding, equipment repair, fencing, construction, or general farm maintenance is a major plus. Required Experience We welcome applicants at two levels:Farm Manager in Training: at least two (2) full seasons of hands-on farm experience, preferably in diversified vegetable production, and a strong desire to build the skills to manage a farm.Farm Manager: three (3) or more years of meaningful farm experience, ideally as a farm manager, assistant farm manager, or crew leader with significant crop-production responsibility. Experience in the following areas is valued, and the Farm Manager level is expected to be proficient in most of them:Intensive vegetable and row-crop production.Greenhouse or high-tunnel production.Irrigation management.Harvest and post-harvest handling.Farm equipment operation.Crop monitoring and troubleshooting.Organizing and efficiently executing daily farm work. The successful candidate must understand the precision, timing, organization, efficiency, and physical demands required for small-scale intensive farming. The Person We Are Looking For We are looking for someone who is responsible, dependable, organized, self-motivated, observant, mechanically inclined, and capable of working independently while also collaborating closely with the owner and farm team. This individual will be passionate about regenerative and organic farming, land stewardship, and committed to healthy lifestyles. Ideally, you dream of running your own farm one day, or you are business-minded and understand that every person on a small farm plays a direct role in its financial success. This individual must be comfortable following the owner’s direction while progressively developing the judgment and confidence to run the farm independently when Chuck is away. During peak season, crops, weather, irrigation, harvests, customers, employees, poultry, and equipment can all demand attention simultaneously. The Farm Manager must be able to prioritize, problem-solve, communicate, and remain level-headed during demanding periods. Seasonal Work Expectations April-October is the primary production season. The Farm Manager should expect agricultural hours, with peak-season weeks typically running 50 hours and schedule flexibility based on planting, weather, irrigation, harvests, markets, and other farm demands. November-March is the slower season, providing considerably greater schedule flexibility and significant opportunities for reduced hours, extended time off, vacations, and personal travel. Compensation Salary depends on experience and is paid in addition to on-site housing:Farm Manager in Training: $40,000-$45,000/year plus on-site housing.Farm Manager: $50,000-$55,000/year plus on-site housing. Candidates with proven farm management experience whose expectations sit above this range are encouraged to apply. We are open to that conversation. On-site housing is central to how this compensation package works and is not offered as a cash alternative. If on-site housing does not fit your situation, we are still glad to hear from you, and compensation in that case will be discussed individually. A performance-based bonus is part of the package (see below). There are currently no employer-sponsored benefits. Farm Living & Housing Living on site is strongly preferred. Housing is a small one-bedroom ranch-style studio apartment, best suited for an individual or couple. The apartment is very nice with modern amenities and appliances. The unit is part of a large employee house, but offers privacy and overlooks the farm. Housing is provided in kind as part of the position, and its terms will be set out in the written compensation agreement. Life on the farm carries real value beyond salary and housing:Food from the farm for your household.Space to grow your own food, within reason.The option to raise your own poultry, and to discuss other personal livestock.No commute, and a working life outdoors. Growth, Bonuses & Long-Term Opportunity This position is specifically designed to transition into the Lead Farm Manager of High Desert Harvest. As trust and competency develop, the Farm Manager will progressively assume leadership of daily operations while Chuck transitions more of his time toward running and expanding the business. This role is built for someone who wants skin in the game, not someone clocking in and out. At six months, performance and responsibilities will be formally reviewed and a performance-based bonus structure put in place. Bonus criteria are expected to reflect measures such as production and revenue against plan, reliability in filling chef and wholesale orders, and effective crew management. The long-term vision is to provide the Farm Manager with meaningful skin in the game through performance bonuses, revenue-based incentives, and eventually profit-sharing opportunities tied to the successful operation and growth of the farm. The goal is to build a strong management partnership where the Farm Manager confidently leads daily operations, Chuck remains actively involved in farming and agronomy, and the business can grow without requiring the owner to personally manage every daily task. Hiring ProcessInitial phone conversation.In-depth interview with Chuck, including practical farm scenarios.A paid working interview on the farm.Reference checks and written offer. How to Apply Qualified applicants should email Chuck Schembre a resume and a short cover letter describing their farming background, relevant experience, and interest in the position. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning September 2026. Applicants must be prepared to provide three credible professional references. At least two references must be individuals who can directly speak to the applicant’s farming skills, abilities, work ethic, and practical farm experience. Living in the Region High Desert Harvest is located in Northern Nevada within the Reno-Carson City-Lake Tahoe region, offering a unique combination of rural agricultural living, mountain recreation, and access to growing communities and entertainment. One of the greatest advantages of living here is immediate access to the outdoors. Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada provide year-round recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, camping, backpacking, fishing, boating, kayaking, climbing, and some of the best winter recreation in the western United States. Numerous major ski and snowboard resorts are within easy driving distance, along with extensive opportunities for backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter sports. The Reno-Tahoe region has developed into a growing regional center for restaurants, breweries, live music, concerts, sporting events, festivals, casinos, and entertainment, while Carson City and the surrounding communities maintain a smaller-town atmosphere. The area provides access to the amenities of a metropolitan region without requiring farm employees to live in a major urban center. Nevada has no individual state income tax, and housing and general living costs can be more approachable than many communities immediately across the California border, particularly the Lake Tahoe and major California metropolitan areas. Actual housing costs vary considerably by community, which is one reason High Desert Harvest may also offer on-farm housing for the right candidate. The farm is also well positioned for exploring the greater West, including nearby destinations such as the Yosemite region, Sacramento, Napa and Sonoma wine country, and the San Francisco Bay Area, all accessible for weekend trips or within roughly a day’s drive. The region provides an unusual opportunity to build a career in agriculture while maintaining access to mountains, skiing, lakes, public lands, entertainment, and many of California’s most iconic destinations. For someone who enjoys farming, mountains, outdoor recreation, and an active lifestyle, Northern Nevada offers an exceptional place to build both a career and a life.