Regenerative Farm Production Manager

Hidden Springs Family Ranch is hiring a Regenerative Farm Production Manager to lead produce production and develop a new half-acre cultivation site in Butte Valley near Oroville, California. The family-owned ranch integrates grass-finished cattle, sheep, free-range chickens, seasonal produce and perennial crops. Its customer base is local and intentionally small, and its production methods emphasize soil health, biodiversity and useful connections between crops and livestock. This is both a planning role and a field role. The manager will turn an undeveloped production plan into dependable crops while maintaining existing citrus, figs, grapes, berries and other perennial plantings. The right person enjoys building systems, but is equally willing to seed, transplant, cultivate, harvest, repair irrigation and work through an urgent field problem. Crop production and stewardship • Create practical annual and succession plans for year-round vegetable production • Lead seeding, propagation, transplanting, cultivation, harvest and post-harvest coordination • Improve soil with cover crops, diverse rotations, minimal tillage, compost and other regenerative practices • Use livestock manure responsibly in compost systems and coordinate grazing with soil-building goals • Establish and care for fruit trees, perennials and hedgerows that support biodiversity and reduce erosion • Monitor crops and apply organic or regenerative approaches to weeds, pests and disease • Maintain useful records for production decisions, business planning and grant reporting Operations and team leadership The Production Manager maintains irrigation, hand tools, vehicles and farm equipment and coordinates outside repair help when a problem exceeds in-house capacity. They will support broader ranch infrastructure and ecological-restoration projects as priorities change. The role also supervises interns, seasonal staff and volunteers, provides clear daily direction and reinforces safe work practices. The manager collaborates closely with the owners, the Executive Director and the Farm Business Manager. That includes setting annual goals, comparing results with plans and helping develop distribution through a future CSA that may combine produce, eggs and grass-finished beef. Hidden Springs also operates FarmTeach, an educational initiative focused on agricultural literacy and hands-on youth training. The position is employed by the ranch, not a university; it may, however, include mentoring participants and exchanging ideas with the regional regenerative-agriculture community. Qualifications Applicants may qualify with a high school diploma or equivalent plus three to five years of small-scale regenerative, organic or sustainable farm experience, or with an agriculture-related bachelor's degree plus at least one year of relevant farm work. Candidates need demonstrated skill in crop planning, soil management, irrigation and ecological production practices. Experience with integrated crop-and-livestock systems, CSA operations, community food access, perennial crops or volunteer leadership is useful. Strong candidates combine initiative with collaboration. They can give and receive constructive feedback, maintain organized digital records in Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Forms, and represent a small family operation professionally. The work requires a valid unrestricted driver's license and vehicle insurance, authorization to work in the United States, ability to pass a background check, capacity to lift at least 50 pounds and readiness for uneven ground and difficult weather. Schedule and compensation This is a part-time hourly position averaging 20–30 hours per week. Work is primarily Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with occasional Saturdays as farm needs require. Pay is $25–$30 per hour depending on experience. Benefits listed by the ranch include a weekly CSA box of beef, eggs and produce, the option to park a trailer onsite with water and electrical hookups, and possible year-end discretionary bonus. Medical insurance is not included. How to apply Email a resume and brief cover letter directly to kara@hiddenspringsbuttevalley.com. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the job is filled. The letter should describe relevant crop-planning and soil-health work, team leadership, irrigation or equipment skills, and any experience connecting vegetable production with livestock, CSA distribution or educational programming.