Are you an experienced farmer with a love for teaching others about animal care, gardening, and general farming? This is a exciting and incredibly unique opportunity to run a fully operational farm while creating and delivering curriculum to children receiving services through Autism 360.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Farm Manager to oversee daily farm operations and develop an engaging, hands-on curriculum for training children (ages 5–12) on small animal care and plant cultivation.

The ideal candidate will combine strong agricultural expertise with educational skills to create interactive, age-appropriate programs that foster a love for farming, sustainability, and nature. This role requires managing farm activities, ensuring animal and plant health, and delivering educational content that inspires young learners.

Experience working with children with special needs would be beneficial but not required for this role.

Key Responsibilities

Farm Management

• Oversee daily operations of the farm, including care for small animals (e.g., chickens, rabbits, goats) and cultivation of plants (e.g., vegetables, herbs, flowers).

• Maintain animal health through proper feeding, housing, and veterinary care coordination.

• Manage planting, irrigation, weeding, and harvesting schedules to ensure optimal crop production.

• Ensure farm facilities, equipment, and tools are maintained and in safe working condition.

• Implement sustainable farming practices and maintain compliance with local regulations.

• Supervise and train farm staff or volunteers to support operational and educational goals.

Curriculum Development & Educational Training

• Design and develop age-appropriate curricula focused on small animal care (e.g., feeding, grooming, basic health checks) and plant cultivation (e.g., planting, watering, harvesting).

• Create hands-on, interactive activities and lesson plans that align with educational standards and promote environmental stewardship.

• Deliver engaging workshops, classes, or camps for children, fostering curiosity and responsibility through direct interaction with animals and plants.

• Incorporate storytelling, games, and practical tasks to make learning accessible and fun for young audiences.

• Assess program effectiveness through feedback from children, parents, and staff, and refine curricula as needed.

• Collaborate with local schools, community groups, or summer camps to expand program reach.

Community Engagement

• Act as a farm ambassador, representing the organization at community events, school visits, or outreach programs.

• Develop partnerships with educational institutions or youth organizations to promote farm-based learning.

• Maintain a safe, welcoming environment for visitors, especially children, during farm tours or educational sessions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, education, environmental science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in farm management, with expertise in small animal care and plant cultivation.

• Proven experience in curriculum development or teaching, preferably with young children.

• Strong understanding of sustainable farming practices and animal welfare standards.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire children.

• Creative and patient approach to education, with a passion for fostering curiosity and environmental awareness.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks, including farm operations and educational program delivery.

• Basic computer skills for creating curricula, schedules, and reports.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to lift up to 50 pounds for farm-related tasks.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with organic farming or permaculture principles.

• Background in early childhood education or experiential learning methodologies.

• Experience working with children with special needs (i.e. autism, cerebral palsy, etc)

• Familiarity with grant writing or fundraising to support educational programs.

• First aid/CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).

Working Conditions

• Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, in varying weather conditions, on a working farm.

• Schedule may include weekends, holidays, or evenings to accommodate educational programs or farm events.

• Physical demands include standing, bending, lifting, and working with animals and farm equipment.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.

• Benefits package includes health insurance, telehealth care, paid time off, retirement plan, etc., as applicable.

• Opportunities for professional development in agriculture and education.