Farm Manager

Position Function:

Under the general direction of Head of the Delta Research and Extension Center, manages approximately 4000 acres of agronomic crop land and hardwood forest which serves the teaching, research and outreach activities of the center. The primary crops grown and managed include soybean, corn, cotton, and wheat.

Salary Grade:  15

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

This position is located at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS, an off campus location of Mississippi State University

Area of Specialization:

Research Farm

Anticipated Appointment Date:

June 2026. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Manages and coordinates farm operations to effectively and efficiently meet the research, teaching and outreach needs of the department/unit, and provides assistance in that regard.
2. Organizes daily work schedule for farm operation; supervises, assigns duties, trains, evaluates and approves timecards for farm laborers and student workers.
3. Recommends purchase of equipment, materials, supplies and other related items.
4. Maintains appropriate records which may be computerized, and prepares reports, as required or needed.
5. Oversees maintenance, safety and security of buildings, equipment and machinery, in assigned area of responsibility.
6. Recommends land assignments to researchers at DREC, USDA-ARS, and MSU’s main campus.
7. Recommends improvements in farm management techniques and economical use of facilities.
8. General understanding of GPS guidance systems.
9. Performs related duties as required.

Supervisory Responsibility
Full supervisory responsibility for other employees is a major responsibility and includes training, evaluating, and making or recommending pay, promotion or other employment decisions.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in related field. 

Experience: Five (5) years of experience in farm type practices. 

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Ability to operate and maintain tractors, planters, combines, cotton pickers, and other commonly used equipment in farming operations.
2. Knowledge of pest (weeds insects, and plant diseases) management with commercially available agricultural pesticides.
3. Knowledge of irrigation practices to maximize yields and profits in commonly grown agronomic crops.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of farming operations including planning, certifying, planting, managing, harvesting, and selling commodities.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Regularly involves lifting, bending or other physical exertion. Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., with one often to the point of being objectionable.

Routine deadlines; usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than immediate supervisor.

Job frequently requires standing, walking, reaching, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
Job occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, and lifting more than 100 pounds.

Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply:  http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu
Attach a resume, a list of 3 references with contact information, and unofficial transcripts. Social Security numbers on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online.
For more information contact:
Dr. Jeff Gore
P.O. box 197
Stoneville, MS 38776
662-686-9311
jgore@drec.msstate.edu

Screening Date:

May 26, 2026, until filled. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.