Christmas Tree Farmer, Forest Society North at The Rocks
Reports to: Managing Forester
Full-time, Exempt, Salaried
Salary range begins at $55,000, depending on experience.
Position Summary: The Christmas Tree Farmer is responsible for running the Forest Society’s 17,000-tree Christmas tree farm operation at The Rocks in Bethlehem, NH. Since 1989, this has been a successful retail and wholesale Christmas tree farm. The Rocks is an iconic part of the community serving as the Forest Society’s north country hub for community engagement through recreation, educational programming, and tourism centered around this scenic Christmas tree farm and historic estate.
The Christmas Tree Farmer will ensure successful planting, cultivation, sales and operations of the 40-acre tree farm. The Christmas Tree Farmer’s focus is to ensure all aspects of the Christmas tree operation and business are implemented. This position’s primary responsibility is performing the day-to-day farm operations.
The Christmas tree farmer will utilize, or develop a unique skillset to plant and cultivate Christmas trees. This involves understanding all of the aspects that affect the crop and how to grow a quality product. Farmers must understand season and weather impacts, insect and disease impacts, integrated pest management, proper pruning and shearing techniques, and how trees grow and respond to all of these factors.
The farmer’s other duties include helping with property, trails and grounds at The Rocks as time allows. This person may also hire, train, and supervise seasonal farm staff if and when needed and supervise contractors as needed on the farm.
The Christmas Tree Farmer will join a larger team at The Rocks who supports the activities, programs, and maintenance at the 1,500-acre Rocks property which hosts several miles of recreational trails and the buildings that serve as the hub of the Forest Society’s north country operations. The Christmas Tree Farmer is also responsible for ensuring the farm and north country center are clear of snow in winter months and may work with other lands team staff as time allows to accomplish stewardship goals at The Rocks and other nearby north country properties.
This individual will represent the Forest Society on Christmas tree and farm organizations such as the Christmas Tree Growers Association and attend regional conferences. Good communication skills, and the ability to interact with people positively are vital. The position is full time, year-round with more hours needed during peak events such as tree planting, tree harvesting, and Christmas season sales. The Forest Society promotes a balanced approach understanding that tree farming has busy and slow seasons.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Carry out operations for the Christmas tree farm, including planting, spraying (requires pesticide applicators license), tree shearing, de-coning, tree inventory, fertilizing, tree grading and tagging, tree harvesting, mowing, and Christmas tree stump cutting.
- Manage farm budget, equipment, stock, and supplies.
- Manage tree seedling, wreath, and other tree farm supply ordering.
- Responsible for all wholesale and retail Christmas tree and wreath sales.
- Responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and managing seasonal farm staff if needed.
- Ability to plan/implement detailed seasonal schedules of required tree farm maintenance and operations.
- Hire and oversee farm-related contractors when necessary.
- Responsible for the preparation and management of the Christmas tree farm budget and work plan.
- Coordinate Christmas season retail operation at The Rocks in collaboration with other staff.
- Represent the Forest Society’s membership in National Christmas Tree Association, and the NH/VT
Christmas Tree Association, including attendance of local meetings. - Perform regular maintenance and light repairs of grounds equipment: tractors, mowers, ATV, utility
trailers, saws, & trimmers. - Ensure north country campus roads, walkways, and parking are kept clear of snow in winter.
- Coordinate with program and education staff to help facilitate educational programming which
entails tasks like driving the tractor and trailer during maple tours. - Wild apple tree pruning in early spring at The Rocks and other north country forest reservations.
- Attend staff and lands team meetings, keeping the larger staff informed about the farm operations.
- Collaborate with the Forest Society lands team to help with forest and recreation management at The
Rocks and other north country properties as time allows.
Qualifications and Skills required:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate independence and the ability to work autonomously, while also embracing opportunities for growth and effectively managing the responsibilities of running a farm. The Christmas Tree Farmer should have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience working in an agricultural setting and/or Christmas tree farm and be competent running tractors, chainsaws and equipment. An education of a two-year associates degree or equivalent is preferred, but not required.
Demonstrable Competencies and Requirements:
- Skilled in working with tools and equipment
- Good people skills and the ability to effectively communicate well both verbally and in writing.
- Good organizational and work flow skills both in the field and office.
- Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Quickbooks (for basic invoicing only).
- Ability to work independently without supervision.
- Ability to hire and oversee occasional seasonal staff and contractors.
- Ability to operate and perform basic light maintenance of farm equipment including one-ton truck
and trailer, tractors, ATV and chainsaws. - Ability and interest in learning Christmas tree cultivation
Experience, Education, and Licensure:
- Farming or agricultural experience, with preference for experience in cultivating Christmas trees.
- Knowledgeable and skilled at safely operating farm equipment, including chainsaw and tractor
operation. - Driver’s license and capacity to drive a one-ton truck with a 20-ft trailer; maintain the required
Medical Examiners Certificate (acquired at expense of Forest Society). - Possession of or ability to acquire a private spray license from the Division of Pesticide Control,
specifically for Christmas trees (acquired at expense of Forest Society).
Working Conditions: The Christmas Tree Farmer must be prepared to work year-round indoors and outdoors, conducting physically strenuous work in a wide variety of weather conditions. Schedule will include some evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays during parts of the year. Seasonally, this job may involve as much as 90% outdoors work.
Physical Requirements: Fieldwork in this position can be physically demanding. The individual should be able to walk long distances over variable terrain in fields as well as in the woods, sometimes carrying equipment. Must be prepared to work mostly outdoors, tolerating a range of weather conditions. Must be able to stand for extended periods of time in the cold or the heat, run handheld power equipment, climb stairs, and be able to lift approximately 80 lbs.
Questions regarding this position should be directed to:
Managing Forester Wendy Weisiger by email or at 603-224-9945 X340
Resume and cover letter should be sent to: Stephanie Milender, Human Resources Director
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Equity, Inclusion & Collaboration: The Forest Society is an equity-based employer. We value a diverse staff and an inclusive culture. We value staff that work for the good of the whole; that can effectively collaborate to achieve shared goals of their department, as well as the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status as required by applicable law.