Director of Farm Management

Director of Farm Management

Hagerman Canyon Farms Bliss, Idaho
Scope: ~17,000 acres Direct Reports: ~5 Farm Managers
Reports To: President Total Compensation: $150,000-$210,000
Benefits: Health Insurance, 401(k), Company Vehicle Relocation Assistance: Available

Position Summary

Hagerman Canyon Farms (HCF) is seeking an experienced Director of Farm Management to lead crop production across approximately 17,000 acres in Southern Idaho. This senior leadership role will oversee approximately five Farm Managers and drive accountability for crop planning, execution, yield, quality, and profitability across multiple farming units.

The Director will provide strategic and technical leadership across specialty crops and rotation crops, including watermelon, sweet corn, onions, pumpkins, field corn, and hay, while overseeing production programs for potatoes and sugar beets through HCF's sister company, Jentzsch Kearl Farms.

The ideal candidate is an experienced agricultural leader with strong commercial crop production, agronomy, people management, budgeting, and problem-solving skills. Experience with every crop is not required; HCF values the ability to learn quickly, manage complexity, develop people, and consistently deliver results.

Key Responsibilities
Farm Management & Leadership

• Lead and develop approximately five Farm Managers across 17,000 acres, establishing clear expectations and accountability for planning, execution, crop performance, and financial results.
• Partner closely with Farm Managers during the growing season to identify issues, make timely production decisions, and maintain high standards across farming units.
• Provide senior-level guidance on agronomic, irrigation, fertility, crop protection, and field-production challenges.
• Evaluate Farm Manager performance and support staffing, compensation, and employment decisions as needed.
• Collaborate with Field Operations, Sales, Warehouse, and other departments to resolve operational issues and maintain alignment.

Crop Production & Agronomy

• Develop and oversee annual production programs for watermelon, sweet corn, onions, pumpkins, field corn, and hay.
• Oversee the execution of potato and sugar beet production programs for Jentzsch Kearl Farms.
• Provide technical leadership in irrigation, fertility, crop protection, and integrated crop-management practices.
• Develop fertilizer programs using soil and tissue analysis and guide crop-protection programs, including FRAC resistance-management practices.
• Oversee both center-pivot and drip irrigation systems.
• Diagnose crop and production problems, determine root causes, and implement practical, economically sound corrective actions.

Planning, Budgeting & Performance

• Develop annual crop and production budgets with Farm Managers and company leadership.
• Monitor crop performance, costs, yield, quality, and profitability throughout the growing season.
• Hold Farm Managers accountable to production and financial targets.
• Conduct postseason reviews and use results to improve future crop plans, practices, varieties, and field decisions.
• Build effective planning systems, schedules, dashboards, and management tools using technology and automation.

Harvest & Commercial Coordination

• Evaluate crop maturity and harvest readiness and establish harvest priorities based on crop condition, customer requirements, weather, labor, and capacity.
• Coordinate harvest planning and volume projections across Farm Management, Field Operations, Sales, and Warehouse.
• Support fresh-market sales relationships and serve as the primary farm-management contact for processing customers.
• Monitor harvest quality and efficiency and adjust plans as conditions change.

Research & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and oversee variety and production trials focused on improving yield, quality, harvest timing, efficiency, and market opportunities.
• Evaluate trial results and determine which practices or varieties should transition into commercial production.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve agronomic practices, technology, management systems, and farm profitability.

Ideal Candidate

HCF is seeking a hands-on agricultural leader who can manage through others while maintaining strong technical credibility in the field. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Leadership: Proven ability to manage managers, establish expectations, coach employees, and create accountability.
• Commercial Crop Production: Strong practical knowledge of agronomy, irrigation, fertility, crop protection, and field operations.
• Decision-Making: Ability to diagnose complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and make timely, economically sound decisions.
• Planning & Systems: Ability to manage multiple farms, priorities, schedules, budgets, and production programs simultaneously.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to use production, soil, tissue, financial, and operational data to improve decisions and results.
• Technology: Strong computer skills and willingness to use technology, automation, spreadsheets, and dashboards to improve farm management.
• Communication: Ability to clearly communicate plans, priorities, expectations, and changes across departments and organizational levels.
• Accountability & Initiative: Takes ownership of results and proactively addresses issues before they materially affect production.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial farm management or crop-production management experience, including leadership of managers or senior production personnel.
• Strong commercial crop-production background with experience in irrigation, fertility, crop protection, and field operations.
• Experience managing significant acreage or a similarly complex agricultural operation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and planning skills.
• Strong computer aptitude and willingness to use technology extensively.
• Ability to spend significant time in the field and travel regularly among HCF farming locations.
• Willingness to work extended hours during critical planting and harvest periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Production experience with at least two of the following: onions, potatoes, sugar beets, watermelon, sweet corn, or pumpkins.
• Experience with both center-pivot and drip irrigation.
• Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Agricultural Business, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may substitute.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including automated or scalable planning and management tools.
• Spanish-language skills.

Benefits

Location & Compensation

This position is based at HCF's main office in Bliss, Idaho, with responsibility for farming operations in Gooding, Bliss, Glenns Ferry, and Bruneau. Regular travel between farming units and significant field time are required.

Target Total Compensation: $150,000-$210,000, based on experience and qualifications.

HCF offers:

• Health insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• HealthShare
• 401(k)
• Company vehicle
• Relocation assistance for the right candidate