The Market Garden Lead is responsible for managing all aspects of the market garden operation, including planning, planting, maintaining, harvesting, quality control, pest and disease management, irrigation, and market sales. This role requires strong leadership, organisation, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture and certified organic principles.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will oversee vegetable production across open fields and polytunnels, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality, nutrient-dense produce for the farm and market sales. You will also be responsible for maintaining organisation, cleanliness, safety, and communication to promote and educate others about our farming practices.

As part of the Conscious Ground team, your role is to help us maintain the farm and contribute to its success. Success is when we work together with clear communication, shared goals, and mutual accountability, creating a positive and efficient environment that supports our family’s vision and life project.

The Market Garden Lead is responsible for growing high-quality, nutrient-dense vegetables using organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming practices suited to the Northern Rivers' subtropical climate. Success in this role means ensuring a consistent and abundant supply of produce for the farm and market while maintaining healthy soil, efficient workflows, and resilient crops. The Lead must also monitor weather conditions, implement contingency plans for extreme weather, and oversee irrigation, infrastructure maintenance, and pest management to protect the garden’s long-term viability.

Beyond production, this role requires strong leadership, team development, and customer engagement. The Lead will train farm assistants and volunteers, foster a clean, organised, and safe work environment, and play a key role in market sales, customer education, and promoting Conscious Ground’s mission. Measuring success includes maintaining high crop yields, minimising waste, ensuring strong market performance, and creating an efficient, well-run garden operation that aligns with the farm’s values and long-term goals.

Key Requirements

• Minimum 3+ years experience in organic and regenerative vegetable production.
• Strong understanding of crop planning, organic pest and disease management and regenerative soil practices.
• Knowledge of seasonal crops suited to the Northern Rivers’ subtropical climate.
• Ability to operate and maintain irrigation systems, market garden tools, and small farm machinery.
• Experience in managing farm teams, training staff, and delegating tasks effectively.
• Ability to track weather forecasts and implement contingency plans for extreme weather events.
• Excellent record-keeping skills, ensuring compliance with organic certification standards.
• Ability to lift heavy loads (15-20kg), work in various weather conditions, and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Strong communication skills to liaise with farm management, customers, and market staff.

Must Have

• Valid Drivers Australian License
• Previous experience in farmers' market sales and customer engagement.
• Familiarity with Australian certified organic, biodynamics, and holistic land management principles.
• Basic operational, irrigation, or mechanical skills.
• Passion for community engagement, food sovereignty, and sustainable agriculture