Sod Farm Operations Specialist

American Beauty Sod Farm is looking for a motivated recent college or graduate-school graduate to join us as a Farm Operations Intern for the remainder of the current season (through November). This is a hands-on, hourly training role: you'll work directly alongside the Owner learning all phases of sod production, equipment care, crew coordination, and farm administration.

The internship is designed as a working trial period for both sides — a chance for you to learn the operation and for us to see how you fit. If it's a strong match, we anticipate offering a full-time, salaried Farm Manager position beginning with the 2027 season (late March), at which point the responsibilities below would come with full operating authority. This posting describes the fuller scope of that eventual Farm Manager role so you know where the position is headed; during the internship itself, duties are learned progressively and under guidance, as noted throughout.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Production & Crop Management

• Plan, schedule, & oversee all phases of sod production, including planting, fertilization, irrigation, mowing, pest & weed control, & harvest.
• Monitor crop health & growth stages across all fields; adjust practices in response to weather, soil conditions, & seasonal needs.
• Maintain a seasonal production calendar to meet harvest & delivery targets.
• Coordinate soil testing, nutrient management, & application programs with agronomic consultants as needed.
• Maintain accurate field records.

Equipment & Facilities

• Oversee the operation, maintenance, & general upkeep of all farm equipment.
• Identify equipment, parts, & repair needs and communicate them to the Owner in a timely manner so purchases & orders can be made.
• Maintain farm buildings & grounds in safe, functional condition.

Staff Supervision & Labor Management

• Assist with keeping the crew on track with daily, weekly, & seasonal work tasks, shadowing the Owner's supervision and taking on more independent direction as competency develops.

Administrative & Financial

• Maintain accurate operational records, including production logs, maintenance logs, & staff timekeeping.
• Source & help manage relationships with vendors, suppliers, & contractors.

Operations & Logistics

• Coordinate harvest scheduling, order fulfillment, & delivery logistics with Office staff.
• Oversee loading, transport coordination, & quality control of sod product prior to delivery.
• Manage day-to-day irrigation system operation, including scheduling & troubleshooting.
• Maintain fields, roadways, & non-cultivated grounds to farm standards.
• Respond to & manage operational issues as they arise.

Customer & Vendor Interaction

• Serve as an on-site point of contact for customers, vendors, & delivery drivers as needed.
• Communicate order status, product availability, & field conditions to the Owner and/or Office staff.
• Represent the farm professionally in interactions with all parties.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Recent graduate (or soon-to-graduate) from college or graduate school, ideally in an agriculture-related field; prior farm, turf/sod, or supervisory experience is a plus but not required.
• Genuine interest in learning sod/turf production practices, irrigation systems, & common farm equipment.
• Willingness to build scheduling, management, & multi-priority coordination skills over the course of the internship.
• Valid driver's license; ability to operate or learn to operate farm equipment & vehicles.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, & communication skills.
• Preference for candidates pursuing or holding an ag-related degree, Commercial Driver’s License, Pesticide Applicator License, or similar certifications.

Pay: $22.00 - $30.00 per hour

Work Location: In person