TARA CLARK
Lakewood,WA
Summary
Resourceful and organized manager with ten plus years experience in leadership roles. Dedicated team player with meticulous attention to detail and a tireless work ethic. Skilled in coordinating teams with a wide-ranging knowledge of office operations and the ability to improve systems for efficiency. Seasoned professional when faced with adversity, and known as a decisive leader with the ability to inspire.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Farm Manager
Mother Earth Farm/Emergency Food Network
09.2021 - 12.2023
- Worked in all aspects of organic vegetable production including transplanting, direct seeding, cultivating, record keeping and harvesting over 100 different fruit and vegetable varieties
- Managed a team of 4 seasonal employees, 3+ interns and hundreds of volunteers throughout the growing season
- Managed budgets and tracked expenses related to production costs, fuel costs and more.
- Demonstrated working techniques, practices and optimal safety behaviors to workers, maximizing performance and reducing wasteful processes.
- Hired seasonal workers and provided training on safety protocols and use of equipment.
- Developed and implemented a crop rotation plan to optimize soil fertility and yield.
- Maintained records on production output and crop yields in order to make future planning decisions.
- Collaborated with local agricultural organizations to stay informed on best practices in farming techniques.
- Inspected fields regularly to ensure proper fertilization levels are maintained.
- Developed long-term strategies for increasing efficiency while reducing overhead costs associated with running the farm business.
- Directed efficient crop production to maximize resource utilization and consistently meet schedule and financial demands.
- Monitored fields to drive proper irrigation, weed control and pest control.
- Implemented action plans to meet farm-specific and company-set goals.
- Monitored weather conditions and adjusted strategies accordingly to avoid losses.
- Monitored weather conditions to determine when to irrigate crops or apply pesticides.
- Analyzed data from previous growing seasons in order to identify areas for improvement in current season's operations.
- Provided guidance to staff members on how best to handle difficult tasks or situations encountered during their daily duties.
- Prepared reports detailing operational activities such as labor hours worked per task or acreage harvested each day.
- Managed budgets and tracked expenses related to labor costs, production costs, fuel costs and more.
- Managed employees and subcontractors to meet or exceed cost, yield and quality goals.
- Established safety procedures and took action to minimize safety incidents on farm.
- Organized the purchase of supplies such as fertilizer, seed, feed, and other necessary items.
- Delegated tasks to seasonal workers and supervised completion of duties and responsibilities.
- Inspected equipment and facilities to recommend service or repairs.
- Supervised planting, cultivating, harvesting, storage, and marketing activities for all crops.
- Coordinated the maintenance of farm equipment, machinery, buildings, fences, and other infrastructure.
- Coordinate and implement the annual crop plan for 8-acres of farm land
- Organize and track distribution of produce to food pantry partners throughout the season
- Educate and manage groups of community volunteers in completing farm tasks
- Lead farm events throughout the season and participate in annual fundraisers
- Advocate on behalf of the farm and organization at local tabling events
- Communicate farm systems, goals, and organizational information to volunteers and visitors to the farm
- Operate and perform maintenance on farm machinery, perform light carpentry as needed.
Assistant Farm Manager
Mother Earth Farm/Emergency Food Network
08.2020 - 09.2021
Farm Associate
Mother Earth Farm/Emergency Food Network
03.2019 - 08.2020
Interim Office Assistant
Emergency Food Network
12.2019 - 03.2020
- Public-facing position tasked with welcoming guests, answering phones, troubleshooting problems and providing support to clients seeking services
- Organized office operations and procedures, such as managing calendars, scheduling appointments, preparing reports and maintaining records.
- Supported CEO with scheduling, communication and general offices tasks
- Supported Development Department and warehouse staff with correspondence, Outlook Calendar management, and administrative duties
- Supported EFN Board of Directors by coordinating board meetings, keeping minutes, creating/editing board documents, and providing general assistance and correspondence to board members
- Assisted with data management, and general recordkeeping duties in DonorPerfect database and other data tracking systems.
Production Coordinator (Freelance)
Various Production Companies
Los Angeles, CA
02.2008 - 12.2018
- Managed film crews of 60 to 100 people on each project
- Responsible for tracking and managing budgets for each project
- Maintained daily schedules for department heads and crew
- Created presentations for client meetings to communicate all facets of the project
- Made travel arrangements for clients, crew members & on-camera talent.
- Coordinated and scheduled daily production activities to ensure efficient operations.
- Managed day-to-day tasks assigned by Production Manager and Director ensuring deadlines are met consistently.
- Resolved any issues related to production process or equipment malfunctions quickly and efficiently.
- Collaborated with other departments such as engineering, sales and marketing, to ensure smooth execution of projects.
Education
Ethical Design Science & Regenerative Agriculture
Bullock Permaculture Homestead
07.2018
Some College (No Degree) - Creative Writing And Theater Arts
Western Washington University
Skills
- Microsoft 365: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, some experience with Publisher
- Creative strategies for problem-solving
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Team management and development
- Balanced and focused under pressure
- Schedule coordination/time managemnet
- Budget management and expense reconciliation
- Operations Management
- Self-starter and self-directed
- Quick learner when faced with new tasks
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
References Available
True
Hobbies and Interests
- Gardening/Farming, teaching others how to grow food
- Beginning carpenter, lifelong tinkerer
- Team sports: basketball, fastpitch/softball, volleyball
- Hiking, camping & exploring the Pacific Northwest
Affiliations
- Gardening/Farming, teaching others how to grow food
- Beginning carpenter, lifelong tinkerer
- Team sports: basketball, fastpitch/softball, volleyball
- Hiking, camping & exploring the Pacific Northwest
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Farm Manager
Mother Earth Farm/Emergency Food Network
09.2021 - 12.2023
Assistant Farm Manager
Mother Earth Farm/Emergency Food Network
08.2020 - 09.2021
Interim Office Assistant
Emergency Food Network
12.2019 - 03.2020
Farm Associate
Mother Earth Farm/Emergency Food Network
03.2019 - 08.2020
Production Coordinator (Freelance)
Various Production Companies
02.2008 - 12.2018
Ethical Design Science & Regenerative Agriculture
Bullock Permaculture Homestead
Some College (No Degree) - Creative Writing And Theater Arts
Western Washington University
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