WHAT DOES A FARM MANAGER DO?

Updated: Jun 13, 2025 - The Farm Manager ensures compliance with state regulations by maintaining accurate records across departments and has final authority on major mechanical issues. This role involves close collaboration with the Production Manager and Harvest Manager to optimize field operations and product quality, and executes planting plans according to Buy Sod standards. Additionally, this position communicates with the Regional Farm Manager on quality issues and works with Sod Central on HR, Accounting, Logistics, Sales, and IT services, while also participating in company-wide leadership development.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Farm Manager

1. Farm Manager Duties

  • Employee Management: Manage Administrative, Production, Harvest employees and ensure all employees are operating within safety parameters.
  • Regulation Compliance: Applies all rules/regulations/policies fairly and consistently.
  • Record Keeping: Ensure that accurate records are kept by department managers to comply with State and Federal agencies (such as Crop Improvement Agency, Pesticide Inspections, and OSHA).
  • Employee Development: Ensure that employee issues are promptly addressed through training, coaching, and corrective action.
  • Equipment Safety: Work with Production and Harvest management to ensure that any person operating a piece of equipment has been properly trained on how to safely operate each piece of equipment wearing all required PPE on a daily basis.
  • Incident Investigation: Takes the lead in investigating accidents/incidents/violations.
  • Quality Control: Regularly inspects and implements quality control measures across all departments at the farm level.
  • Training Oversight: Work with Production and Harvest to oversee training of new employees, including seasonal crew members.
  • Expense Management: Displays sound judgment in managing and controlling expenses, seeks to understand the company’s finance policies and procedures.
  • Resource Management: Ensure that resources are properly managed to operate within the farm budget.

2. Farm Manager Details

  • Record Keeping: Ensure that accurate records are kept by department managers to comply with State.
  • Field Consultation: Consult and walk fields with the Production Manager on fertility, weed control, irrigation, etc.
  • Harvest Quality Control: Consults with Harvest Manager on quality of product to be shipped, mowing, field reclamation, etc.
  • Equipment Safety: Consults with Mechanics on issues concerning safety and condition of all equipment and has final approval over major issues.
  • Inventory Management: Ensures accurate and timely inventories are submitted to Sod Central.
  • Planting Execution: Responsible for executing planting plan in a manner that meets Buy Sod standards.
  • Quality Communication: Communicate quality issues in a timely and professional manner to Regional Farm Manager/Production Director.
  • Leadership Development: Participates in company-wide leadership training, meetings, and continuing education.
  • Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner with Sod Central for HR, Accounting, Logistics, Sales & IT for shared services needs.
  • Division Coordination: Works in concert with the Installation Division regarding Harvest and other needs.

3. Farm Manager Responsibilities

  • Farm Supervision: Supervise farm interns and volunteers (patiently and respectfully).
  • Strategic Planning: Design strategy and set goals for growth.
  • Budget Management: Maintain budgets and optimize expenses.
  • Policy Setting: Set policies and processes.
  • Employee Development: Ensure employees work productively and develop professionally.
  • Recruitment and Training: Oversee recruitment and training of new employees.
  • Operations Improvement: Evaluate and improve operations and financial performance.
  • Employee Assessment: Direct the employee assessment process.
  • Reporting: Prepare regular reports for upper management.
  • Team Coordination: Coordination with BF staff and its advisory team, including monthly board reports.
  • Field Planning: Produce annual field plans.
  • Quality Control: Maintain BF’s standards of production to ensure the highest quality produce.
  • Infrastructure Maintenance: Maintain farm infrastructure and landscape with the help of interns and volunteers.

4. Farm Manager Job Summary

  • Seed & Material Procurement: Seed ordering and material acquisition.
  • Planting Scheduling: Planning and implementation of weekly planting schedule.
  • Field Management: Insect and weed control, fertility monitoring, and general field observation.
  • Infrastructure Development: Infrastructure planning, creation, and maintenance.
  • Irrigation Management: Irrigation planning and implementation.
  • Soil Management: Soil building program including composting.
  • Fencing Installation: Installation, maintenance, and monitoring of deer fencing.
  • Harvest Planning: Plan weekly harvest schedule, harvest, market, and deliver.
  • Marketing Support: Assist with marketing and outreach efforts of BF.
  • Program Integration: Integration of farm with other BF programs.
  • Long-Term Planning: Participate in planning for long-term farm development.
  • Program Coordination: Coordinate produce needs with culinary, market, and educational programs.

5. Farm Manager Accountabilities

  • Inventory Management: Oversees the inventory of animal feed and farm supplies, including but not limited to vaccines, hay, and kidding equipment.
  • Equipment Maintenance: Oversees equipment maintenance, including but not limited to farm equipment, farm buildings, and operating systems.
  • Service Coordination: Schedules outside services, including but not limited to electricians, plumbers, maintenance, and inspectors.
  • Employee Evaluation: Participates in employee evaluations and ensures employees receive proper job-specific and safety training.
  • Safety Awareness: Participates in emergency preparedness and safety awareness.
  • Log Management: Maintains and verifies all farm logs and checklists.
  • Record Keeping Training: Ensures all employees are trained on proper record-keeping procedures.
  • Staffing Management: Manage a group of approximately 25 employees, plan staffing requirements to meet production needs on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.
  • Employee Relations: Manage employee issues and ensure compliance with all standards.
  • Workplace Safety Compliance: Ensure compliance to Workplace Safety, ensure that equipment is operating safely, and make recommendations on continuous improvement of operating practices and procedures.
  • Maintenance Oversight: Look after Maintenance of various buildings, facilities, vehicles, and equipment.