Description:
Overview:A 20-hectare agricultural operation in Cato Ridge focusing on high-value horticultural crops, including 2 hectares of tunnel-grown blueberries, 2 hectares of open-field tomatoes, and a honey production and pollination unit. The farm integrates modern practices, including fertigation, packhouse operations, and value-added processing. We seek a hands-on, strategic Farm Manager to oversee all aspects of production, labour, infrastructure, and compliance, ensuring efficient and profitable operations.
Key Responsibilities:
Crop Production Management
Plan and manage the blueberry tunnel systems, including pruning, pest management, fertigation, harvesting, and scheduling. Oversee open-field tomato cultivation, managing rotations, input programs, and labor cycles. Ensure optimal use of fertilizer and irrigation systems (including drip irrigation and fertigation tanks). Honey & Pollination
Manage the integration of beehives for pollination and honey production. Oversee honey harvesting, processing, and bottling in a hygienic and compliant manner. Explore potential pollination services for other farms. Packhouse & Post-Harvest Oversight
Supervise the packhouse (18m x 30m): from receiving to grading, cold storage, dispatch, and traceability. Ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene protocols in packing, processing, and storage. Manage value-added product lines (e.g., jams, juices, sundried tomatoes). Infrastructure & Equipment
Coordinate maintenance of irrigation pumps, packhouse machinery, cold room (10m x 6m), and farm vehicles. Oversee daily use of tractors, electric carts, and tools within tunnels and fields. Water & Environmental Management
Operate within the Water Use License conditions and manage inline dam storage (including 3rd dam once approved). Monitor borehole use, irrigation scheduling, and water efficiency across crops. Labor Management
Recruit, supervise, and train permanent and seasonal farm workers. Maintain productivity, task delegation, and compliance with 200-day labour cycles. Foster a safe and positive working environment. Record Keeping & Reporting
Keep daily, weekly, and monthly records on yield, input use, labor, and sales. Work closely with the owner on budget tracking (R10 million budget), timelines, and compliance. Qualifications & Experience:
Degree/Diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agribusiness, or related. Minimum 10 years of farm management experience, ideally with high-value crops. Strong understanding of tunnel farming, fertigation, irrigation systems, and cold chain logistics. Knowledge
01 Apr 2025;
from:
gumtree.co.za