The Garden For All, an Ohio nonprofit with a mission to fight hunger and grow community, is looking for a Director of Agriculture to lead all growing operations at its New Albany and Johnstown sites. This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced organic grower who wants to put their skills to work for a food pantry network across Licking and Franklin counties. As Director of Agriculture, you’ll plan and run vegetable and cut flower production, fertility, soil health, planting, cultivation, harvest, wash and pack, and distribution; develop and carry out the overall growing plan, using Heirloom software for the detailed yearly crop plan; lead long-term soil health work through crop rotations and cover crops; manage high tunnel operations and winter production; oversee post-harvest handling, quality control, and distribution; direct the operation and repair of farm equipment, irrigation, and vehicles, and recommend efficient technology; manage seasonal budgets, supply forecasts, and purchasing; forecast seasonal staffing, lead recruitment, and train teams; and act as a farm ambassador through tours, donor events, and volunteer scheduling. The role calls for at least five years of hands-on organic vegetable production on a farm of five acres or more, with at least two years of leadership at that scale.
About The Garden For All — Fighting Hunger, Growing Community
Organisation: Nonprofit based in New Albany, Ohio
Mission: Fight hunger and grow community
Growing: Organic, no-till and minimal-till, with a focus on soil health, on more than 4 acres at two locations
Impact: Target of 50,000+ pounds of produce for the 2027 season, donated to food pantry partners in Licking and Franklin counties
Sites: New Albany and Johnstown, Ohio
Director of Agriculture Role — Crop Planning, Soil Health & Team Leadership
Department: Agriculture & Growing Operations
Primary Focus: Organic production planning, soil stewardship, post-harvest and distribution
Scope: Vegetable and cut flower production across two Ohio sites
Mission: Growing high-quality produce that feeds local families
Director of Agriculture Position Overview
The Director of Agriculture at The Garden For All holds responsibility for everything that happens from seed to pantry. The farm grows a wide range of vegetables and cut flowers on organic principles, and the goal each season is to deliver the highest quality produce to food pantry partners, with a target of more than 50,000 pounds for 2027. Achieving that takes both vision and hands-on skill. You’ll develop and drive the overall growing plan, from field production and winter growing through to nursery propagation, and you’ll define the detailed yearly crop plan using Heirloom software. Soil is the foundation of the operation. You’ll lead long-term soil health work, including crop rotations and cover crop management, so that the farm builds living soil that supports productivity over time. High tunnels extend the season, so you’ll manage their operations and winter production strategies to keep output steady through the year. Post-harvest work is central to delivery. You’ll oversee washing, packing, quality control, and distribution, making sure produce reaches pantries in good condition and on time. Equipment and infrastructure keep the farm running, so you’ll direct the operation, maintenance, and repair of tractors and tools, irrigation systems, high tunnels, and distribution vehicles, and you’ll recommend technology that improves efficiency. Budgeting and purchasing come with the territory: you’ll manage seasonal budgets, forecast supply needs, and buy the seed, packaging, and capital equipment the farm depends on. The team is the other half of the job. You’ll forecast seasonal staffing needs, lead recruitment, build a capable team of staff and volunteers, and train them in growing methods, tool safety, and field operations. Finally, you’ll represent the farm in the community, leading tours, supporting fundraising and grant work, and helping schedule volunteer sessions, all while working closely with the Executive Director to keep improving the operation.
As Director of Agriculture, you’ll bring deep knowledge of organic vegetable production, soil stewardship, and year-round growing with high tunnels, along with the leadership needed to run a mission-driven farm. The ideal candidate has at least five years of hands-on organic vegetable production on a farm of five acres or more, and at least two years of leadership at that scale. Demonstrated experience with organic methods for mixed vegetable production, including propagation, planting, cultivation, soil management, pest control, and sustainable growing, is essential. Experience with year-round growing in high tunnels and caterpillar tunnels is required, as is experience with a range of techniques, such as plastic mulch, paperpot, deep compost mulch and permanent beds, and direct seeding with and without tractor-based implements. Hands-on experience with market gardening tools and machinery, strong organisation and time management, and the ability to lead and motivate employees and volunteers are important. Operating and maintaining farm equipment safely, a positive and solutions-oriented attitude, and the physical stamina to work outdoors in all weather complete the picture. Applicants should send a resume and, optionally, a letter of interest describing their experience and interest in running a nonprofit, mission-driven organic farm. For experienced organic growers in Ohio who want to lead a farm that feeds families, this director role offers a meaningful and hands-on leadership position.
Why This Role Matters: As Director of Agriculture at The Garden For All, you run the growing plan behind tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce for local food pantries, build soil health that keeps the land productive for years, lead and train a team of staff and volunteers, manage the equipment and budgets that make the operation work, speak for the farm in the community, and build a leadership career in organic and nonprofit agriculture in Ohio.
Key Responsibilities & Farm Leadership Duties
Strategic Production & Crop Management
- Develop the overall growing plan for the farm
- Define the detailed yearly crop plan using Heirloom software
- Plan field production, cut flowers, and winter growing
- Manage nursery propagation using organic methods
- Set annual production and quality goals
- Track progress against the production plan
Soil Health & Conservation
- Lead long-term soil health initiatives
- Plan crop rotations and cover crop management
- Build living soil ecosystems across the sites
- Monitor fertility and soil condition
- Use no-till and minimal-till practice where suitable
- Review soil outcomes each season
Controlled Environment & Winter Production
- Manage high tunnel operations
- Plan winter production to extend the season
- Maximise year-round output
- Manage caterpillar tunnels and related infrastructure
- Plan planting timing for each growing environment
- Keep controlled growing areas productive
Post-Harvest, Quality & Distribution
- Oversee washing, packing, and quality control
- Manage packaging standards and materials
- Coordinate distribution to food pantry partners
- Ensure produce quality is maintained through handling
- Plan harvest timing against distribution needs
- Track quantities delivered against goals
Equipment, Infrastructure & Procurement
- Direct operation, maintenance, and repair of farm equipment
- Oversee irrigation systems, high tunnels, and vehicles
- Recommend and implement efficiency-improving technology
- Manage seasonal budgets and supply forecasts
- Handle vendor purchasing for supplies and capital equipment
- Plan annual capital investments in tools and infrastructure
Workforce, Training & Community
- Forecast seasonal staffing requirements
- Lead recruitment and build a high-performing team
- Develop training on growing methods and tool safety
- Onboard staff and volunteers effectively
- Lead farm tours and represent the farm publicly
- Support donor, grant, and fundraising activity
Qualifications & Requirements
Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of hands-on organic vegetable production on a 5+ acre farm
- Minimum of 2 years of leadership experience at an organic vegetable farm of 5+ acres
- Demonstrated experience with year-round growing in high tunnels and caterpillar tunnels
- Experience with plastic mulch, paperpot, deep compost mulch, and permanent bed systems
- Experience with direct seeding and cultivation, with and without tractor-based implements
Technical Knowledge
- Organic methods for mixed vegetable production
- Propagation, planting, cultivation, and soil management
- Pest control and sustainable growing methods
- Hands-on experience with market gardening tools and machinery
- Ability to operate and maintain farm equipment safely
Leadership & Personal Qualities
- Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate employees and volunteers
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- Positive, solutions-oriented attitude
- Strong communication skills
- Physical ability to perform outdoor farm work in all weather
Application Materials
- Resume
- Optional letter of interest describing your experience and interest in running a nonprofit organic farm
- References available on request
Career Development & Growth Opportunities
Professional Advancement
- Pathway toward Executive Director or senior nonprofit leadership roles
- Opportunity to lead future farm growth and expanded acreage
- Growth through investment in new growing systems
- Influence on community food access across Ohio
Learning & Development
- Training opportunities across growing methods and operations
- Experience managing a nonprofit farm and its partners
- Practice in donor engagement and grant support
- Development of team leadership and volunteer management
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary of $70,000 to $75,000, depending on experience
- Salaried position paid every two weeks by direct deposit
- Bonus eligibility based on individual performance and organisation goals
- Paid time off
- Training opportunities
About The Garden For All — Growing for the Community
The Garden For All is a nonprofit based in New Albany, Ohio. It grows vegetables organically on more than four acres at two locations, using no-till, minimal-till, and soil-health-focused practices, and donates all of its produce to food pantry partners in Licking and Franklin counties. The organisation depends on dedicated volunteers and employees, and it plans to grow its acreage and growing systems to increase its community impact.
Career Excellence in Organic Farming: Lead a nonprofit organic farm in Ohio, plan the growing season for thousands of pounds of produce, build soil health for the long term, and grow a leadership career that feeds families and strengthens community.
Who Should Apply?
- Organic Farm Managers: Ready to lead a mission-driven operation
- Market Gardeners: With five or more years of organic experience
- Agricultural Directors: Seeking a nonprofit leadership role
- Sustainable Agriculture Professionals: Focused on soil health
- Food Systems Advocates: Who want to fight hunger through growing
- Ohio Growers: Looking for a role in Licking and Franklin counties
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