Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Farm Manager

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, which requires all staff to contribute toward a vision for success regardless of title or position within the organization. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.
• We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone.
• We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture.
• We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities.
• We recognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success, and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.

POSITION SUMMARY

Michigan State University (MSU) Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities, and businesses. For more than 100 years, MSU Extension has helped grow Michigan's economy by equipping Michigan residents with the information they need to do their jobs better, raise healthy and safe families, build their communities, and empower our children to dream of a successful future.

As part of MSU Extension and the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center (Tollgate) promotes food system awareness through exploring the sustainable, nutritional, and cultural aspects of agriculture and natural resources. This work is supported by a 160-acre working farm that serves as a demonstration site for agricultural production, environmental education, and public engagement.

As a key member of the Tollgate leadership team, you will provide comprehensive oversight of farm operations, facilities, equipment, and grounds. This includes managing the daily operations of a working educational farm and ensuring that all physical assets of the farm are maintained, safe, and fully functional to support educational programming, agricultural production, events, and community use. Responsibilities include coordinating facility readiness, maintaining cleanliness standards, and procuring equipment, supplies, and materials needed for operations.

In this role, you will supervise and coordinate operations staff, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees as well as management of volunteers. Responsibilities include hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, assigning work, and evaluating performance. You will establish priorities, develop and implement work plans, and ensuring effective staffing coverage and alignment across operational areas such as livestock support, crop production, facilities maintenance, and event readiness. You will also oversee the maintenance and safe operation of farm equipment and vehicles, including coordinating repairs, maintaining inventories and service schedules, troubleshooting issues, and training staff on proper use. The position also includes coordinating facility maintenance, inspections, and contractor services; managing vendor relationships; and ensuring sites are prepared for programs, rentals, and events.

In collaboration with the Tollgate Director, you will support strategic planning and implementation of operational systems that improve efficiency, sustainability, and long-term site functionality. Additional responsibilities include maintaining operational records, tracking maintenance activities, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements, and identifying and addressing operational risks.

The role requires strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, public-facing farm environment.

This position is based at MSU Tollgate Farm in Oakland County and requires regular outdoor work as well as evening and weekend hours to support farm operations, programs, and events. This position will also work in coordination with the Farm Manager at Discovery Oaks at Bower’s Farm to support the shared goals of the Food, Farm, and Managed Landscapes initiative across southeast Michigan.

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal. The position is non-union.

Characteristic Duties/ Responsibilities

• Maintains and cares for the livestock and crops.
• Orders supplies and equipment in order to maintain a working inventory.
• Interviews, hires, supervises, schedules, assigns and evaluates the support staff; resolves grievances and complaints.
• Maintains farm system records and data bases, records data and evaluates production records.
• Conducts tours of farms in order to promote public relations and provide information.
• Repairs and maintains buildings and equipment and fabricates special equipment.
• Prepares animals for scheduled programming.
• Markets crops and animals.
• Plans the farm breeding program and the crop program in order to produce the required feed and animals.
• Manages the Extension activities for the farm.

Minimum Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Animal Science or Crop, Soil Science, Agriculture, Facilities Management, Natural Resources, or related field.
• One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in supervision, daily farm management within all the animal groups and knowledge of crops and farm equipment.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience operating tractors and agricultural equipment.
• Experience supervising staff or coordinating teams.
• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.

Desired Qualifications

• Valid vehicle operator's license where needed to perform duties of the position.
• Experience working on a teaching farm, research farm, or public agricultural site.
• Pest applicator certification. If candidate does not possess certification, professional development will be provided through MSU Extension to pursue this certification.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated skills and professional development from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Understand and support the Community, Food and Environment Institute’s efforts in culture, access, and belonging, with a special emphasis on reaching populations representative of the communities we serve, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status, socio-economic class and other human differences.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, regulators, and industry partners.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills, and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural, and varied economic backgrounds and perspectives of the target population served.
• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently in an office or plant environment without daily supervision and/or coaching.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Current resume/CV.
• Cover letter.
• Four (4) professional references including at least two (2) prior or current supervisors.

Work Hours

Generally 40 hours Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends needed.

Description of End Date

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

https://youtu.be/R58m2-um5Mg?si=Qra8RMsP

Summary of Physical Demands

Mildly disagreeable working conditions involving exposure to adverse weather conditions. The job requires heavy physical exertion and involves handling animals and lifting and moving equipment, hay and harvested crops of over 75 pounds up to 25% of the time.