Location: Miami-Dade County, Florida + statewide travel

Job Type: Full-time, approximately 40 hours/week

Compensation: $35/hour | W-2 | Overtime eligible

Term: September 2026 – June 30, 2027

About Neighborhood Farms USA

Neighborhood Farms USA is a Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to strengthen the connection between people, food, and the land, one neighborhood at a time. We build and support neighborhood-scale farms and gardens, train new farmers through hands-on agricultural education, and help move fresh, locally grown food to the communities that need it.

This year, we are establishing 11–12 growing sites across Florida, training 40 Floridians in hands-on food production, and expanding fresh food access for more than 1,000 residents.

About the Position

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Head Farmer to lead the agricultural side of our growing statewide program.

You will operate our demonstration Mini Farm at Florida International University, help design and establish new growing sites, provide technical support to community gardens and partner projects, and help train the next generation of growers.

This is a working farmer position. You will spend most of your time in the field planting, building, troubleshooting, teaching, and keeping sites productive. You will also serve as NFUSA’s lead grower, executing crop plans, making production decisions, supervising our Farm Assistant and interns, and helping establish strong agricultural practices across the sites we support.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Manage our intensive production Mini Farm at Florida International University, including crop planning, succession planting, soil fertility, irrigation, pest management, harvest, and bed turnover.
• Lead the agricultural build-out of new farms and gardens, from bed layout and soil preparation through irrigation and first plantings.
• Visit and support NFUSA partner sites, helping troubleshoot soil, irrigation, pest, crop health, and production issues.
• Lead hands-on workshops and training for beginning farmers, interns, volunteers, and community participants.
• Supervise the Farm Assistant and help direct interns and trainees working across NFUSA sites.
• Coordinate harvest and production records and help manage produce distribution to the FIU College of Hospitality, student food pantry, and community partners.
• Contribute field observations, photos, and practical growing knowledge to NFUSA educational materials, social media posts and case studies.

Who We’re Looking For

• Several seasons of hands-on production growing experience in a market garden, small farm, intensive vegetable operation, or comparable setting.
• Working knowledge of soil health and fertility, crop and succession planning, irrigation, organic or regenerative pest management, and post-harvest handling.
• Practical experience constructing growing beds, preparing soil, installing drip irrigation, and working with farm tools and equipment.
• Ability to identify and troubleshoot production problems independently.
• Comfort teaching agricultural skills and working with people who are new to farming.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and reliable vehicle for site travel.
• Ability to perform sustained physical farm work outdoors in South Florida conditions.
• A specific degree is not required. Demonstrated farming ability and hands-on production experience matter most.

Experience That’s a Plus

• Professional vegetable production in South Florida or another subtropical climate.
• Regenerative or organic farming experience.
• Experience supervising farm crews, interns, or beginning farmers.
• Community garden or educational farm experience.
• Teaching or agricultural training experience.
• Spanish language skills.

Schedule, Location & Travel

This is a full-time position averaging approximately 40 hours per week. Some additional hours will be required during the November–April peak growing season and will be paid at applicable overtime rates. The position is based at the Neighborhood Farms USA Mini Farm at Florida International University in Miami, with regular travel to partner projects and new growing sites throughout Florida. Mileage and approved travel expenses are reimbursed. Some weekend availability for special events will be required.

Compensation & Benefits

• $35/hour, with overtime eligibility.
• Three paid holidays.
• Five days of paid time off.
• Mileage and approved travel reimbursement.
• Health insurance is not currently offered.
• This is a grant-funded position through June 30, 2027. Continuation beyond the current grant period will depend on renewed funding.

Interested? We’d Like to Hear From You

Please email your resume to thais.thiesen@nfusa.org with “Head Farmer Application” in the subject line.

Rather than a formal cover letter, please briefly answer these questions in the body of your email:

1. What about this position made you interested in working with Neighborhood Farms USA?
2. Tell us about your hands-on farming or production-growing experience, including what and where you have grown.
3. What experience do you have teaching, supervising, or working with beginning growers, volunteers, or community members?
4. Please confirm that the location, statewide travel, schedule, and starting compensation of $35/hour work for you.

A few thoughtful paragraphs are plenty. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, and the position will remain open until filled.

Neighborhood Farms USA is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of every background and are glad to discuss reasonable accommodations at any point in the process.