Goodness Gardens Hires Farm Manager to Support Sustainable Growth

M&F Talent Customer Spotlight 

When CEA producer Goodness Gardens needed an experienced Farm Manager to oversee their operations in Pearsall, TX, they turned to Mac & Fulton Talent Partners. Facing the challenges of scaling sustainable operations while maintaining their commitment to quality, Goodness Gardens sought a skilled leader to take charge of day-to-day operations and implement long-term agricultural strategies. With the help of M&F Talent, they found the perfect candidate, who brought decades of experience in organic farming, crop management, and operational leadership.

Customer BackgroundGoodness Gardens

For over 25 years, Goodness Gardens has been a leader in providing fresh, sustainably grown herbs and greens to customers across the United States. According to their website, “Since the mid 1980’s, Goodness Gardens has expanded exponentially in size and production. Goodness Gardens owns and operates a 50-acre farm and 175,000 square feet of greenhouses in Orange County, New York. In addition, we also operate a southeastern regional distribution center located in Miami, Florida.” 

Based in New Hampton, NY, the company also expanded operations in Texas where they cultivate organic herbs and leafy greens. To keep their Texas operation on track, Goodness Gardens needed a Farm Manager with leadership experience and a love for hands-on work. This difficult-to-fill position led them to the recruitment team at M&F Talent. 

The Challenge

Goodness Gardens was facing rapid growth in demand and needed a Farm Manager who could efficiently handle the complexities of a large-scale organic farming operation. This person needed to be a team player with real-world experience in organic agricultural practices, irrigation systems, crop health management, and leadership. The Farm Manager would not only oversee planting, harvesting, and crew schedules but also improve operational efficiency and maintain organic certification standards.

The requirements for the Farm Manager job included strong leadership skills with the ability to schedule and manage a farm crew of 10-15 people. The position also required proficiency in generating and interpreting yield and time reports. Technical abilities for basic mechanical troubleshooting and farming equipment maintenance were also a must. Goodness Gardens

The Solution

M&F Talent presented a candidate with over 30 years of experience in farming operations, particularly in organic vegetable and herb production. This Farm Manager candidate had an impressive track record in building and managing organic farms from the ground up, implementing innovative irrigation and fertilization systems, and working closely with soil consultants to maximize crop yield and quality. 

The Candidate’s Previous Roles Include:

4 years as a Director of Farming Operations where he designed and built an organic farm from start to scale. The candidate also developed accounts to sell produce to Whole Foods, Common Market, and other notable grocers.  

4 years of experience as an Executive Director of Production at another organic farm, where he managed large-scale crop production, reduced input costs, and ensured compliance with organic certification standards.

2 years of experience working as a Senior Production Agronomist for a commercial herb producer. In this role, the candidate specialized in reducing material and labor costs, while also raising yields with innovative fertigation systems. 

M&F Talent’s candidate was also involved with the  Empire State Food and Agricultural Leadership Institute (LEAD New York) at Cornell University. 

The candidate’s deep knowledge of organic farming techniques, modern agriculture technology, and team leadership made him an ideal fit for the position at Goodness Gardens. 

Results and Impact

Thanks to M&F Talent’s deep network in the CEA sector, Goodness Gardens was able to hire a qualified Farm Manager swiftly. Our ability to quickly connect CEA organizations with top-tier talent meant Goodness Gardens could fill the role without delays. Not only did a quick placement save them money on sourcing and recruiting, but it also allowed Goodness Gardens to maintain operational momentum. 

Important Metrics and Data Points for the Goodness Gardens Farm Manager Hire: 

Time-to-fill: M&F Talent filled the Goodness Gardens Farm Manager role with a top-tier candidate in just 3 weeks. SHRM reports that the average time-to-fill is 44 days for managerial-level talent.

M&F Talent reduced the average time-to-fill by 48%.

Goodness Gardens

Interview-to-hire: M&F Talent only submitted 2 highly qualified candidates to make a placement with Goodness Gardens. The average interview-to-hire metric is “4:1 to 20:1” across industries.

M&F Talent beat average interview-to-hire figures by 100%-900%

Onsite hire: M&F Talent managed to recruit a premier Farm Manager for an onsite role in a job market turning increasingly to remote work. Forbes reports that 39% of professionals ages 24-35 now work remotely.

M&F Talent filled the onsite job with only 61% of the talent pool to choose from. 

Conclusion 

The partnership between Goodness Gardens and M&F Talent demonstrates the value of working with a recruitment firm that understands the complexities of CEA. By leveraging M&F Talent’s extensive network and industry expertise, Goodness Gardens was able to quickly fill a critical Farm Manager role with a highly skilled candidate. Despite a reduced talent pool for on-site roles, M&F Talent’s ability to identify the right candidate in a short time frame saved Goodness Gardens time and resources, allowing them to maintain operational momentum without delays. 

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