Job Opportunities – Vegetable & Livestock Farmers

Soper Farms is a family-owned operation spanning 4 generations and 70 family stockholders. As absentee landlords we are developing programs to transition our 1,000 acres in Iowa from commercial corn & beans to sustainable organic systems with the goal to grow healthy food for our local communities. Soper Farms Fresh is our second transition program.

Greenfield Farm - Planning is nearly complete for this 260-acre vegetable and livestock farm near Emmetsburg in Northwest Iowa (near Spencer and Lake Okoboji). Over a four-year schedule, Soper Farms is targeting a cow/calf operation with an annual harvest of 100 grass fed cattle and up to 9,000 broiler chickens. Also included is an extended season vegetable operation with several hoop houses and 40+ acres of outdoor gardens. Additional livestock and vegetable products will be added as markets develop.

A go/no-go decision on this Greenfield enterprise will be made in early August, 2010. To support this plan I need to know the talent pool that is available. Salaries and benefits are yet to be determined but they will be fair and reflect the applicant’s background and experience.

As the enterprise evolves, both retail and wholesale markets will be pursued including an extended season 500 CSA membership, institutional food service sales, farmer’s markets and wholesale channels for value added products to include but not limited to baked goods, cheese and meat products. The mix of the above will reveal itself over time as the enterprise gains expertise.

With the exception of wells, there is no other infrastructure on this farm. Imagine this Greenfield site as an opportunity to join a team building a 21st Century farm from the soil up. It includes building fencing, hoop houses, gardens, livestock handling facilities, maintenance facilities, sales & marketing offices, living quarters, on-site energy generation and a farm store with retail space and bakery.

Staffing will grow as the enterprise grows and include full-time and seasonal personnel. The farmers needed must be multi-talented and interested in cross training in all areas of the farm. Talent areas sought include:

• Rotational livestock management and labor
• Pasture management and labor
• Facilities management and labor
• Vegetable management and labor
• Vegetable and livestock production management and labor
• Sales & marketing management and labor across all media platforms
• Office management and labor
• Retail management and labor
• Value added food products development management and labor
• … to name a few

If you are interested, please contact me at your earliest opportunity. I prefer email at this time but welcome all forms of communication. Please include a cover letter and resume. I can be reached at:

Harn Soper
President – Soper Farms, Inc.
1270 Cedar Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301
h/ 650-321-9375
m/ 650-804-0198
e/ harnsoper@gmail.com