Lead Farmer – The Art Farm at West Dry Creek

Seeking a Lead Farmer experienced in regenerative, climate-focused practices, inspired by creativity, collaboration & community.

The Art Farm at West Dry Creek is a brand-new idea: a retreat for both artists and farmers who are working toward climate solutions - aiming to recognize and nurture the essential nature of both for the health of humanity and the planet.  The Art Farm is where innovative farming, food, creativity, and community come together on about 2 acres in the West Dry Creek valley of Healdsburg, CA. 

Both artists and farmers will have sessions of residency on the property, with studio and meeting space to rejuvenate and grow their work.  The farm gardens will feed  the residents, provide meals for community gatherings, and form the Art Farm hub for educational agricultural projects and engagement. We’re looking for an innovative, small-scale, climate-minded Lead Farmer to help bring this unique vision to life.  

It’s definitely not your usual farming job!

What You’ll Do: Planting space is approx 1.5 acres of small, varied plots.

• Plan & Build: Get the farm gardens off the ground.  Work with the Art Farm team to plan and implement fencing, a greenhouse, compost and other responsible soil and water systems.
• Grow & Steward:  Start planting & farm the land using regenerative, permaculture-based, climate-smart practices.
• Harvest & Preserve: Work with our on-site Culinary Director to grow for resident & community meals, preserve food (canning, fermenting, drying), and keep the bounty going year-round.
• Legacy Garden & Seed Saving: Keep the history of the land alive by preserving seeds, experimenting with heritage and better crops, creating a living archive of resilient food systems for the region and beyond.
• Collaborate with Visiting Farmers & Artists:  Collaborate with the Art Farm team and residents to implement community educational programs and site-specific agricultural art projects.
• Engage & Build Community:  Participate in knowledge-sharing through hands-on programs with local students, farm advocacy & food justice groups, and creative thinkers to share the learnings of Art Farm.

Who You Are:

• You have 3+ years of farming experience, love to get dirty & work hard, and can be self-motivated when multiple tasks need to get done.
• You’re excited to collaborate with chefs, artists, and educators to explore food and agriculture as a cultural and creative force.
• You value indigenous and traditional farming methods, seed saving, and working toward climate and food justice solutions.
• You believe in community, connection, and making climate-smart farming accessible to more people.

The Details:

• Start Date: Flexible - can be part-time Spring, 2025, leading to full-time by Fall.
• Compensation: Salary + health benefits 
• Location: Healdsburg, CA (preference for local candidates.)
• Commitment: This role will grow with the farm, starting with foundational planning and moving into full production and community engagement.

Why You’ll Love It Here:

• This is a chance to build something from the ground up, combining food, farming, and creativity in a way that’s never been done before.
• You’ll be part of a tight-knit team of artists, thinkers, and doers who believe in the power of food, farming, and art to transform communities and culture.
• You’ll grow, harvest, and enjoy delicious food using climate-smart practices.