Job Description:
CSS Farms, a multi-state agricultural business, strives to provide innovative solutions and superior quality and service to our customers. We proudly and relentlessly continue to meet the highest standards of stewardship when it comes to the three things we value most: our land, our employees, and our communities.
We are a team-oriented company with a high trust, entrepreneurial culture. We value our employees’ opinions, we have a strong work ethic, and are focused on growing great vegetables and developing our operations profitably. People who are most successful at CSS Farms are energetic, self-directed, and pragmatic.
Summary
The Master Grower supports the production of high quality potato mini-tubers at our Colorado City, CO greenhouse facility by working closely with the Lab Manager, Production Manager, Seed Quality Manager and team members. This position reports to the General Manager. Our facility produces several million mini-tubers per year including virtually all of the starting seed for CSS commercial operations in chips and specialty "baby" potatoes; along with contracted volumes for many base seed growers throughout North America.
Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
- Direct the application of nutrients, fertilizers and pesticides based on crop cycles and disease and pest management program; apply disease and insect control solutions
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Monitor crops for growing conditions, disease, and pest problems; and recommend inputs
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Maintain inventory of needed growing supplies such as fertilizers and pesticides
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Maintain good records of growing conditions and crop production
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Manage chemical inventory and storage and appropriate regulatory requirements for training and record keeping
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Be "On Call" to respond to system alarms nights and weekends as part of a rotation with management staff
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Other duties as needed by business and as requested.
Required Experience:
Physical Demands
In this role, you will need to be able to meet the following requirement with or without accommodation:
- Lift objects such as crates of mini-tubers and nutrient boxes up to 40 to 50 lbs. occasionally
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Stand, walk, bend at the waist constantly
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Reach overhead with both arms occasionally
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Crouching and kneeling frequently during harvest activities
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Pushing carts with loads such as nutrients and potatoes up to 100 lbs. occasionally
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Fingering, gripping and manipulating fine objects constantly for computer work, inspecting mini-tubers and working with plantlets.
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Sharp eye site constantly to examine plants, mini-tuber diseases and quality issues, using naked eye and laboratory microscope to examine insect pests
Desired Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agronomy, agriculture, or related field
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5+ years’ relevant work experience in a commercial greenhouse or similar operation
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Experience with hydroponic greenhouse crop production and hydroponic irrigation systems with experience with NFT systems strongly desired
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Demonstrated working knowledge of plant physiology, plant growth and nutrient needs
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Demonstrated working knowledge of plant pathology, disease identification and control options
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Experience or demonstrated ability to learn computerized greenhouse and cold storage control programs
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Working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and control systems of the facility
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Superior organization and project management skills
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Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and communicate well
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Self-directed, yet consensus driven, with the ability to implement solutions with team input.
Work Authorization
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In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document forms upon hire.
Keyword: master grower
From: CSS Farms