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Lead Farmer

Job Details

Job Location

214 Lake - Rochester, NY

Position Type

Full Time

Salary Range

$25.00 - $25.00 Hourly

Travel Percentage

None

Job Posting Date(s)

Start Date

10/21/2025

End Date

11/21/2025

Description

Make a difference in a family's life!

Volunteers of America Upstate New York's continuum of residential programs offer homeless & low-income individuals and families safe housing and support services. We provide long-term solutions to the problems of homelessness, addiction, incarceration, and poverty by helping the people we serve overcome obstacles and develop healthier, more self-sufficient lives.

Lead Farmer

JOB SUMMARY:

This full time position will support the growth of VOA’s urban hydroponic farm program.. The lead farmer will work in VOA’s Greenery S vertical container farm. The lead farmer will be responsible for day to day operations, including seeding, transplanting, harvesting, delivery and maintenance, and maintaining records and reporting in accordance with Volunteers of America of Upstate New York’s policy and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

+ Operate and grow inside a hydroponic container farm (Greenery S). This includes seeding, transplanting, harvesting and maintenance.

+ Perform routine maintenance of farm, including water and nutrient tan turnover, HVAC maintenance, sanitation and sensor calibration

+ Packaging and distribution of retail, wholesale and program produce

+ Follow standard operating procedures and best practices for crop health, food safety and indoor agriculture

+ Assist with The Farm’s program offering, including education, volunteers and workforce development.

+ Assist with manning farm markets as necessary

+ Help manage inventory and ordering needs

+ Other relevant duties as assigned to support the farm mission and operations.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

+ Background in hydroponics, urban farming, gardening education and/or culinary arts preferred

+ Passion for hands on learning, plants, food and farming. Inherent interest in how things work, enjoys technology and troubleshooting

+ Comfortable with computers and using computers to operate the farm

+ Organized, clean and detail oriented

+ Physical ability to be on your feet for hours at a time, bending, reaching, lifting heavy objects and reaching in tight spaces

+ Experience with farm operations, GAP and other certifications preferred

+ Clean NYS Driver’s License

+ Commitment to the VOA Farm mission of providing quality affordable produce to low income households.

VOA provides comprehensive benefits for eligible employees including:

Competitive PayPaid Time OffHealth, Dental, Vision InsuranceCompany Paid Life & LTD Insurance403(b), & more!

Volunteers of America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.