Volunteer/Career Oportunities

Stonewall Farm is a non-profit educational organization on 130 acres in southwestern New Hampshire. We operate a working organic dairy and garden , a sugarhouse and have various small animals. Our site also includes a natural history hiking trail and an observational wetland. Over 12,000 people visit the farm every year, including over 6,000 in school groups. Schools come for a variety of programs on both farming and natural history topics.

We seek individuals with a passion for preserving rural lifestyles and farming as a way of life, and who are self-motivated and able to work on their own or as part of a team. Applicants must be able to represent the Farm in a positive, professional manner and feel comfortable acting as an ambassador to visitors.

Stonewall Farm                                                                             

Executive Director Position Specifications

Position Title:                 Executive Director

Organization:                                Stonewall Farm

                                                        www.stonewallfarm.org

Location:                                      Keene, NH

Reporting Relationship:          Reports directly to the Board President and the Board of Directors

Position Summary

The ED will be responsible for the consistent achievement of Stonewall Farm’s mission, strategies, policies, programs and financial objectives.  S/he will manage all operations associated with Stonewall Farm, to include providing leadership and vision ensuring that the organization fulfills its mission and is responsible for seeing that funds are raised and carefully managed to maintain the organization’s financial viability.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include, but are not limited to the following:

Planning

• Develops short and long range objectives and strategies to fulfill the mission of Stonewall Farm
• Leads the Staff in developing long-range and annual plans with a budget containing strategies and measurable outcomes.

Governance

• Work with the Board of Directors by actively participating in board meetings, recommending policy or changes to existing policies, participating in committee work, assisting with recruiting and orienting new board members.
• Oversees financial and human resource management and communicates status effectively to the Board.
• Ensures that appropriate fiscal controls and procedures are in place to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Provides support for the Board’s oversight and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Recommends policy for Board review and action and implements the Board’s policy decisions.

Development and Public Relations

• Works closely with staff and Development Committee in creating fundraising strategy, planning and executing effective and innovative ways of raising money from individual donors, foundations and corporations.
• Develops and fosters the public image of Stonewall Farm. Represent the farm to the community and work with other local organizations.
• Establishes collaborative relationships with other organizations and works to further SWF’s goals.

Management

• Evaluates all SWF plans, programs, activities and procedures with regard to their planned purpose, sustainability and impact on the organization and community.
• Works with and supports the Board President in mobilizing the Board/staff committees.
• Recruits, hires, develops, motivates and evaluates staff.
• Leads and nurtures a strong staff, building relationships of trust, responsibility and accountability and instilling a feeling of partnership and cohesion within SWF.
• Promotes effective and consistent internal communications to ensure smooth cooperation between departments, Staff, and Community.
• Oversees and coordinates the general management, through appropriate staff, all farming operations and educational programs and revenue generating activities.

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Finance

• Recommends an annual budget for Board review and approval.
• Oversees and administers the annual approved budget and takes appropriate action to maintain the fiscal soundness of the organization. Prepares and presents the annual budget to the Board. And if necessary recommends adjustments through the year

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will have:

• Five plus years experience in managing an organization with responsibility for planning, fiscal controls, revenue generation and community relations or related relevant experience.
• Proven success in raising funds and strong public relations skills.
• Experience and or background in education, agriculture or environmental issues a strong plus.

Summer Garden Internship

Our 2010 Summer Internship is closed.

Call or email for our 2011 season in December.

Stonewall Farm is looking for two full time hard working and self motivated people to commit to the growing season. You will be surrounded by amazing energy as we are open to the public, educational in our mission, and therefore are surrounded by visitors, campers, families, and classrooms throughout the season.

As a garden intern you will learn organic growing methodology from greenhouse to harvest, attend a famer’s market twice a week, stock and upkeep a farm stand and small CSA, as well as plan for and store for a winter CSA. Beginning in May and lasting thru October you will be asked to work 6 days a week:  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8-6, and on market days Tuesdays and Saturdays from 6-4.

In return you will be provided weekly with vegetables, one gallon of raw milk, one dozen eggs, plus a monthly stipend and a book allowance, admittance to the NOFA summer conference, and housing if desired.  It is a shared, non-furnished farmhouse located on site. 

Please include a resume and cover letter with your reply to: ahopkins @ stonewallfarm.org, mail to Stonewall Farm, attn: Amanda Hopkins, Garden Manager, 242 Chesterfield Rd, Keene NH 03431; or call Amanda at 603.357.7278.

“Stonewall Farm is a working organic farm dedicated to connecting people with the land.  We do this through education, recreation, and by nourshing our community.”

Education Internships

The education team is currently looking for education interns for the 2009-2010 year.  We are looking for confident, enthusiastic individuals interested in expanding their skills in educating students and public about farm and environmental topics.   

We are always looking for instructors for our school year programs and regularly supervise practicum and intern students from various academic programs across the country.  Based on our needs, these positions may be paid or volunteer.  Our summer camp also provides opportunities for students to gain valuable experience in outdoor education.  If you are interested in discussing your educational internship goals with Stonewall Farm, please contact Sarah Antel, School Program Coordinator, at 603.357.7278  x117.

Dairy Internships

Available throughout the year. Work side-by-side with our Dairy staff who have over 50 years combined of working dairy expertise! We have a 30 head organic dairy and are an Organic Valley Co-op Member. Learn about our breeding program, pasture rotation, composting and much more! Call Kathy Harrington at 357-7278 to learn more.

Summer Camp Staff

Stonewall Farm Summer Camp is the perfect place to enjoy the summer while developing new leadership, activity planning and communication skills.  If you love kids, mentoring children to connect with the farm and surrounding conservation land is one of the most rewarding summer experiences.  From playing in the creek to taking a hay ride to harvesting vegetables, Stonewall Farm Camp will incourage you to grow and expand your abilities. You will have the opprotunity to work with an experienced, cohesive staff in a great natural setting.   If you are interested in discussing possible summer camp employment at Stonewall Farm, please contact Sonja Riddle, Camp Program Coordinator, at 603.357.7278  x110 for an application packet. Please read the detailed job description for more information, counselor job description.

Volunteer Opportunities
We are currently recruiting volunteers to help out at the farm this summer! We are seeking individuals interested in helping out in our garden, farm stand, dairy barn, office, and more. Some experience in a farm and/or office setting is preferred, but we will train the right individual! Volunteers typically commit to a minimum of 2 hours per week, and all volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. If you are interested in becoming part of our Farm family, please contact Kate O'Connor at 603-357-7278.

Special Event Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers for the following special events at the Farm:

Tasks vary, but we only ask that you give two hours of your time!

Stonewall Farm Sap Gathering

Falls on the Saturday of Maple Weekend in March, Annually

Of all our events, Sap Gathering requires the highest number of volunteers, and your help is needed!  Many task options like bucket fillers, table bussers, greeters, parking lot attendants, scorecard runners...the choice is yours! A great way to welcome the spring and bond with your family or friends.  Call Kate at 357-7278 ext 108 to volunteer for a three-hour shift.

Teams of horses and their drivers come from all over New England to race through our forested trails collecting “sap” and delivering it to the sugar house. The grace and beauty of the horse teams, the sweet smell of boiling sap, the tantalizing taste of fresh syrup and the first warmth of spring make this an event you won’t want to miss!

February Farm Days

Horse drawn sleigh rides (snow permitting!) through our pastures and wooded trails, hot cocoa and roasting marshmallows.

Every Saturday in Februrary. Need volunteers for farm tours and selling refreshments.

Small Animal Chores

Get to know our small animals by helping us feed and water in the chicken coop, pig pen and sheep pasture. Our animals love the company! Training will be available as well as help in the beginning.

Rabbit Grooming - training available.

Morning Horse Chores.

 Volunteers for light landscaping

Help us maintain our decorative beds. Other volunteer tasks include weeding and watering.

Call Kate O’Connor for more details at 357-7278 ext 108.