Mixed Crop Farmer

As a market leader in leafy vegetables, brassicas, herbs and many other specialty vegetables, Barden Farms invests heavily in new product development and technology to ensure customers experience the Barden business philosophy with every purchase - "Freshness and Quality without Compromise."Barden Farms is proud of their field and hydroponic farming operations, processing facilities and distribution centres located around Australia, close to metropolitan centres. Part of the strength is that Barden can deliver fresh product year-round within 24 hours of harvest within Australia.Where possible Barden Farms strive to ensure products are available year-round by having farming operations in a variety of climatic zones.Commitment to continuous improvement and quality is demonstrated through adherence to a number of industry and global standards including, Freshcare, and HARPS.Barden's rapidly expanding company owned farming operations use the modern growing techniques and technology from around the globe to deliver top quality vegetables and herbs every day from our QLD and NSW growing operations. With packing and cooling facilities on site at both farm locations QLD site focuses on brassicas, herbs and Asian vegetables and the NSW site grows Asian vegetables, herbs, radish and other specialty crops.Position DescriptionReporting to the National Farm Manager, the Mixed Crop Farmer is responsible for managing a small team of farm workers to ensure that all operations are effective, sustainable and undertaken efficiently. The Farm Manager will work under the direction of the National Farm Manager to plan the overall growing operation.Activities, Duties & ResponsibilitiesCoordinating staffs to meet production requirements
Managing growing duties, ground preparation, seeding, irrigation scheduling, spraying and other associated activities.
Solving day-to-day problems and reporting irregularities (defects, diseases)
Maintaining constant liaison with the packing shed and the sales team to maximise the product value and meeting consumer demands
Ensuring the farm meets current goals and assist in developing the farm to achieve the company's longer-term business plan
Making recommendations on capital equipment and suggest areas of improvement based on daily practice
Responsible for the stock management and procurement farm inputs e.g. chemicals, fertilisers and small equipment
Managing daily staff issues and delegating responsibility, supervising the execution of the work and suggesting corrections where necessary
To be the first point of contact in managing daily staff issues providing clear instructions to ensure tasks are executed on time and correctly
Ensuring the employees under your control are properly inducted, and provided with information, instruction and training to effectively and safely carry out their tasks
Maintaining records on the activities performed such as: dates of sowing, pest and disease and spraying diary.
Supervising field rotations and planning sowing, planting and harvesting programs
Regularly inspect each crop to evaluate and report on growth, health and development of the crop and provide weekly production reports to the National Farm Manager.
Identification of diseases, pests and weeds in the crops and take appropriate action.Position Requirements2 years plus experience in farm management and growing operations
Chem-Cert, Forklift License would be beneficialGeneral Skills & ExperienceExperience in management of intensive horticulture production under irrigation
Sound knowledge of Agronomy, preferably with some experience in plant nutrition, pest and weed control
Demonstrated hands on experience in leadership and day to day supervision of a small team
Familiarity with quality assurance and HACCP
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
Experience in report writing and maintaining paddock/ production records
Computer literacy and an understanding of farm management reporting systems
Seasonal budgeting and financial management
A sound knowledge of the safe operation and maintenance of various farming equipment