Farm & Land Stewardship Director

Adamah is the leading Jewish environmental organization in North America.

At Adamah, we believe in the deep connection between people and planet, adam and adamah. Every day, help people feel that connection, spark Jewish inspiration, and help build a more sustainable future for all. And because we are the link between our ancestors and our descendants, we are called in this generation to respond to the existential crises of our time with the full power of the Jewish spirit. Our mission is to create vibrant Jewish life in deep connection with the earth, catalyzing culture change and systemic change through immersive retreats, Jewish environmental education, leadership development, and climate action.

Adamah Core Values:

• Community Belonging
• Joy, Love, & Hope
• Nature Connection
• Jewish Wisdom
• Peoplehood & Planethood
• Youth Empowerment
• Collective Action

The Pearlstone Center is a vibrant living laboratory for both Jewish and universal inspiration that engages more than 20,000 annual visitors in experiential learning, immersive retreats, and joyous celebrations of 180 acres of lush forest, rolling hills, wild meadows, and organic farmland. Through the cultivation of a 10-acre organic farm, including UPick fields, orchards, a vineyard, animal pasture, and an Educational Garden, as well as the caring stewardship of meadows, trails, and the Tëmakwehane stream valley, the land and farm teams foster deep connection between people and planet.

The Farm & Land Stewardship Director is a full-time, exempt leadership position managing the farm and land teams at Pearlstone. The Stewardship Director will lead a department including all members of the farm and land team. They will lead Pearlstone’s efforts in regenerative agriculture, ecological restoration, and land stewardship, prioritizing synergy with Pearlstone educators and programming, and retreat center farm to table dining experiences.

Job Summary:

• Agriculture: Work with the Farm Manager, supporting efforts in organic farming with a goal of building a system that uses regenerative agriculture methods to serve as both an educational model and a productive farm. With the Farm Manager, partner with the Hospitality Team to provide a robust array of farm-to-table produce throughout the year, seeking to meet culinary needs and use Pearlstone dining as an informal educational opportunity.
• Education & Engagement: Partner with the Program Team to design educational models and curricula for adults and children, using the farm and natural campus as the canvas for learning and development connection between people and planet. Program partnerships include all campus-based educational models as well as the Holiday Produce Box initiative and periodic off-campus program opportunities. Lead efforts to increase volunteer engagement on the Pearlstone campus, focusing on periodic large-group volunteer opportunities, ongoing volunteering with small groups and individuals, and immersive residential experiences including WOOFers and interns.
• Ecosystem Restoration: Lead, support, and supervise the 3-person land team, working alongside the team on core tasks and managing the administrative and coordination aspects of the work.
• Administration: Lead team-building and coordination efforts for the land and farm team, including staff meetings, team-building, scheduling, supervision and professional development efforts. Manage administrative and leadership functions for the land and farm teams including budget, project management, procurement, financial management, recordkeeping, equipment maintenance, and evaluation. Collaborate with other key staff on design and implementation of Adamah Climate Action Plan and Pearlstone Campus Master Plan. Act as stewardship division point-of-contact for Pearlstone and Adamah leadership, internal partners, and external partners. This includes, Pearlstone executives, directors, managers, staff, board of directors, The Associated, guests, vendors, funders and the general public. Partner with the HR team to support residential staff housing, including participating in the housing committee to set protocols and policy and identifying candidates from the land and farm teams for residential housing.

Helpful prior skills and experience include:

Knowledge of and experience in organic farming and regenerative agriculture.

Deep knowledge and experience in the creation, restoration, and organic stewardship of food forests, forest, meadows, ecological landscaping, and grounds care. 

• Supervision and planning experience.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Strong administrative experience and expertise with Microsoft Suite, financial management software, and databases.
• Ability to multitask and hold multiple projects at once.
• Self-starter, ability to self-motivate and work on solo projects as needed.
• Strong attention to detail as well as ability to hold a big-picture view.
• Commitment to deadlines and task completion.
• Experience with use and maintenance of equipment typically used in horticultural care and land stewardship, including tractors, sprayers, trimmers and mowers, and plows.
• Experience with animal stewardship and care.

General:

• Attend daily morning team meeting.
• Attend weekly department meetings.
• Attend monthly all-staff meetings.
• Must possess a solid work ethic with strong organizational and time-management skills, excellent attention to detail, professional verbal, and written communication skills in English, as well as provide excellent customer service.
• Must maintain a professional demeanor.
• Must be able to adapt to changing situations.
• Other tasks/duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

This is an exempt position with work hours set to Monday-Thursday, 8:30-5:00 and Friday, 8:30-4:30, adjusted seasonally for Shabbat as needed.

This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by Management. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

The functions of this job are performed largely outside in various types of weather and require the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, as well as repeated movements such as bending, squatting, lifting, and extended walking. The job also requires employees to be subject to loud noises, equipment vibrations and continued repetitive motions.

90 Day Check In: Ninety days from date of employment date, there will be a check in between you and your supervisor. Annually thereafter.

How to Apply: Keep below for postings outside of our Adamah jobs page

To apply, send a resume and thoughtful cover letter through the careers page of our website Careers | Adamah | People. Planet. Purpose. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled.

Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the criteria. Adamah encourages you to break that statistic and apply. Adamah is strongly committed to equal employment opportunities for all individuals. We especially encourage people of color, women and nonbinary folks, LGBTQ+ people, disabled people, working class and low-income people, and those with other marginalized identities to apply.

Adamah is strongly committed to equal employment opportunities for all individuals. Adamah will make all employment decisions for staff and applicants without unlawful discrimination as to race, creed, color, national origin, gender identity and expression, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, alienage, citizenship or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, compensation, training and development, benefits, promotion, demotion transfer, discipline or termination. All Adamah staff, regardless of position, are expected to maintain and live up to the true meaning of nondiscrimination.