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How to hire a farm manager

Farm manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring farm managers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a farm manager is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new farm manager to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a farm manager, step by step

To hire a farm manager, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a farm manager, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step farm manager hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a farm manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new farm manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a farm manager do?

Farm managers are professionals who manage a staff of farm professionals to handle various administrative tasks and monitor crops and domestic animals within a farm. These managers are required to work in growing cultivated plants that are harvested for food, clothing, and fuel while ensuring that the crops are properly stored and packaged for purchase. They must visit the different divisions on the farm to inspect crops and livestock while performing tests on the soil and water. Farm managers must also ensure that seeds, fertilizers, and other supplies are regularly restocked.

Learn more about the specifics of what a farm manager does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The farm manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A farm manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, farm managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of farm managers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Farm ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Farm ManagerFarmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers operate establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.$16-39
    ManagerManagers are responsible for a specific department, function, or employee group. They oversee their assigned departments and all the employees under the department... Show more$17-44
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Harvest
    • Farm Equipment
    • Safety Standards
    • Beef Cattle
    • Farm Operations
    • Payroll
    • Farm Management
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Pigs
    • Mowing
    • General Maintenance
    • Dairy Farm
    • Farm Work
    • Farm Products
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage product quality to guarantee compliance with quality policies, procedures and USDA systems.
    • Manage two milking facilities and work with heifer grower, crop manager, and building contractors.
    • Lead farm tours/herb walks to share farm progress and seasonal nature-observations with CSA members and interest members of the community.
    • Manage pedigree cattle farm by; overseeing breeding production and certify artificial insemination program.
    • Manage CSA program and wholesale accounts and maintain working relationships with community organizations and retailers.
    • Maintain and service farm equipment for functionality during harvest seasons.
    More farm manager duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your farm manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A farm manager can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, farm managers' average salary in florida is 51% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level farm managers 59% less than senior-level farm managers.
    • Certifications. A farm manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a farm manager's salary.

    Average farm manager salary

    $53,932yearly

    $25.93 hourly rate

    Entry-level farm manager salary
    $34,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025

    Average farm manager salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$70,423$34
    2Connecticut$59,854$29
    3Massachusetts$52,605$25
    4Georgia$48,073$23
    5California$45,507$22
    6Oregon$43,732$21
    7Florida$35,796$17

    Average farm manager salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1International Rescue Committee$61,779$29.70
    2Jennie-O$57,792$27.78
    3Florida Crystals$52,858$25.41
    4The Maschhoffs$52,678$25.33
    5DRB Systems$51,767$24.89
    6The HANOR Company$51,591$24.80
    7Hormel Foods$47,618$22.8932
    8TSNE$47,385$22.78
    9University of Florida$44,345$21.32
    10Alabama Farmers Cooperative$43,230$20.78
    11Busey$43,043$20.693
    12Anderson Hay & Grain$41,885$20.14
    13The Ohio State University$41,378$19.89
    14JBS USA$38,077$18.317
    15Farm Stores Franchising$37,151$17.86
    16Compass Group USA$36,896$17.747
    17Smithfield Foods$36,320$17.4614
    18Mahoney's Garden Centers$36,016$17.32
    19Peak Living$35,878$17.25
    20Patterson Joint Unified School District$34,814$16.74
  4. Writing a farm manager job description

    A job description for a farm manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a farm manager job description:

    Farm manager job description example

    • Conduct day-to-day farm operations in relationship to crop production. Field responsibilities include, but are not limited to soil preparation, planting, harvesting, weed, pest and disease management, livestock management, equipment maintenance and repair, etc.
    • Manage and coordinate labor efforts among full-time staff as well as seasonal workers and interns when available
    • Document and ensure proper documentation of staff of field operations on Rodale Institute forms to satisfy organic certification requirements, research data collection needs, financial accounting and maintain production records on a regular basis
    • Coordinate maintenance schedules for tractor(s), truck(s) and other equipment
    • Coordinate property maintenance that includes mowing, landscaping, fence repair, pruning, tree removal, and other activities.
    • Operate equipment safely and train staff on safe equipment operation (tractors, tractor implements, small engine equipment, and hand tools) in a safe and efficient manner
    • Support the research team in creating field experiments and completing field activities, some field data collection will be required
    • Support educational and outreach activities through field tours and presentations when necessary.
    • Coordinate with Rodale Institute staff for travel needs and purchasing supplies
    • Assist the Communication Department with preparing media
    • Prepare a yearly budget and report
    • Other duties may/will be assigned on a case by case and as-needed basis

    Qualifications: Must be able and willing to work in all types of weather, be able to lift in excess of 50 pounds, have good communications skills (both written and verbal), and be flexible in hours as farm work can be unpredictable. Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat.

    Education and/or experience: Must have a bachelor’s degree and five years of experience in agronomic crop production. Previous management experience and work on research farms or projects is preferred. Experience specifically with small grains, corn and soybeans is preferred. Must be experienced in farm equipment operation such as tractor, combine, etc.

    Expectations: Individuals must be committed to the farm’s success, and in turn, the farm will be committed to the individual’s success. To be trustful and respectful to all staff and visitors.

    Travel: Travel will be required for farm visits, conferences, grower meetings and workshops.

    About Rodale Institute: Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to pioneering organic farming through research and outreach. For seventy years, the Institute has been researching the best practices of organic agriculture and sharing findings with farmers and scientists throughout the world, advocating for policies that support farmers, and educating consumers about how going organic is the healthiest option for people and the planet.

    All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or handicap.

    Powered by JazzHR

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  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right farm manager for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your farm manager job on Zippia to find and recruit farm manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit farm managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new farm manager

    Once you've found the farm manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new farm manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a farm manager?

Recruiting farm managers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

The median annual salary for farm managers is $53,932 in the US. However, the cost of farm manager hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a farm manager for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $16 and $39 an hour.

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