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Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Head of Farming

Hampton Estate
Guildford, Surrey

Posted: 29 Aug 2024

Deadline: 12 Oct 2024

Compensation: Competitive

Paid Full-time Permanent

Job description

We are looking for a dynamic and ambitious Head of Farming to lead our progressive and exciting regenerative agriculture enterprises.

We are looking for someone who is

• A do-er with energy and determination to be part of an exciting and forward-looking business
• Interested and experienced in regenerative farming systems
• A team player, able to lead, delegate, empower and work with an established farming team
• A people person, able to effectively communicate at all levels
• Reliable and consistently delivers their work to a high standard
• Willing to learn and leverage new opportunities with a can-do attitude
• Flexible and thrives within an environment that requires agility and spontaneity

About us

Hampton Estate Farms is a progressive rural business open to change, with regenerative farming at its heart, caring for its land, people and nature. We are a family farming partnership, with a team of 11 working full time across our enterprises, led by Bill and Bridget Biddell and reporting into a board of family directors and partners. We strive to maintain the highest standards in everything we do, and want to have fun whilst doing it. Our multi-enterprise, habitat-rich business spans 910 hectares in the western corner of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. We rear our Pasture for Life Sussex beef herd and grow our Fuggle hops in line with regenerative principles, which are core to our vision of restorative land management and thriving communities.

Key responsibilities

• Management and leadership of the existing Hampton farming team (3 people)
• Management of Hampton’s 49 head herd (plus followers) of mob-grazed Pasture for Life Sussex cows and direct to customer beef sales
• Management of Hampton’s conservation grazing across heathland and chalk grassland restoration projects
• Management of 9 hectares of Fuggle hops (grown in line with Hampton’s regenerative ethos) and relationships with brewing supply chain
• Managing and administering Hampton’s four farming Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive schemes
• Financial reporting
• Health and safety management
• Management and oversight of all farming equipment and technology
• Soil and hedge management across 900 hectares

Skills

Must have

• Interest in and experience of regenerative farming systems
• At least 5 years of experience of farming
• Successful first-hand knowledge and lived experience working with breeding and fattening cattle, and of livestock management and administration systems
• Understanding of machinery and practical farming ability
• Experience of and familiarity with the opportunities and application of government grants including Countryside Stewardship Financial acumen - experience of farm budgeting
• Communication skills - both day to day with colleagues and ability to communicate externally
• Leadership skills - you must have experience of holding positions of leadership
• Excellent IT skills including proficiency in Microsoft suite, and all aspects of farm record keeping
• Experience of farming health and safety systems
• Driving license

Nice to have

• Knowledge of hop growing
• Knowledge of sheep management
• Knowledge/experience of forestry
• Interest in ecology/soil/composting
• Interest in venison and deer management
• Interest in education, providing school visits and engaging with the public
• Experience of using Land App, NoFence, Safety Revolution, WildTrack Pro, Farm Matters, MeritAgCheck and Soil Mentor
• Knowledge of spraying possible PA1 and PA6 qualifications

Salary and benefits

Competitive salary, full time (39 hours a week, with occasional weekend / other hours required), permanent contract, 27 days of holiday, farm cottage available.

To find out more and see the whole Job Descripton please visit https://www.hamptonestate.co.uk/vacancies/

Application information

• Please email your CV, a cover letter and introduction video to recruitment@hamptonestate.co.uk
• In your cover letter please detail your relevant skills and experiences and explain why you are applying for this role.
• We are encouraging applicants to submit an introduction video, taken on your phone to introduce yourself and explain why you are applying for this role. The video should be no longer than 3 minutes.
• We are assessing applications on an ongoing basis so we encourage you to submit applications as soon as possible.
• Interviews will begin from 23rd September 2024 onwards.

Please mention Roots to Work when applying for these jobs