Head Grower at Linley Farm, Bishop's Castle

Head Grower - Linley Farm, Bishop's Castle

With a 2.5 acre no dig walled garden and a 5 acre field scale area, Linley Farm delivers top quality organic vegetables, fruit and flowers to shops and restaurants in London and Shropshire, alongside a restaurant wholesaler. We work closely with the team on the rest of the farm and at our associate pub, The Bridges.

Responsibilities

Day to day duties include all aspects of organic growing - harvesting, packing, weeding, seeding, maintenance, seed saving, paperwork, marketing and communicating with customers. You'll lead on sales and logistics, drive the business forward and work on both short and long term planning with the estate team.

Key duties:

• Use beneficial plants, companion planting and feed soils with compost teas and extracts in the walled garden.
• Propagate, grow and manage the field scale operation and work with the composting delivery lead.
• Create crop plans based on historical yields, weather, seed availability and market demand.
• Market produce, seek new local and London markets, decide on profitable crops and communicate with chefs.
• Organise team around weather, arrange local and London pallet delivery, coordinate wholesaler collections, manage order sheets, invoicing, stores and more.
• Manage propagation, planting, bed preparation, weed, pest and disease control, irrigation, fertility, tool care, harvesting, greenhouse/polytunnel soil health and maintenance.
• Help with composting - build Johnson Su bioreactors, make compost tea/extract, and assist with composting operations.
• Handle cut flowers - condition, store, package and arrange, including Christmas wreaths and drying.
• Budget, order, invoice, record keeping, maintain organic certification documentation and support inspections.
• Maintain financial records and work with the accountant on annual budgets.

Qualifications

Required

• At least 2 seasons in an organic horticulture set up.
• Proven experience leading a team and strong communication and coordination skills.
• Confidence in crop planning, seed ordering and record keeping.
• Knowledge of diverse, seasonal produce from a growing/cooking perspective.
• Willingness to work outdoors in a physical role.
• Ability to work flexible hours during the main growing season.
• Full, clean UK driving licence and vehicle access due to rural location.

Desirable

• Direct head grower experience.
• Familiarity with direct to restaurant sales and wholesalers.
• Experience using courier services for produce delivery.
• Ability to operate tractor and machinery.

Benefits & Practicalities

Full time role with paid breaks. Some flexibility around weekend work is required. Salary depends on experience, and accommodation may be available. Pay range £28,000 - £34,000.

Application Deadline

Applications close 31 March.