Title: Estate Horticulturalist, Dendric Estate

Reports to: CEO – Dendric Estate

About Dendric Estate:

Dendric Estate is a 20 acre cider and spirits estate located at 6,400 feet in elevation in the Kamas valley of northern Utah.  Surrounded by +10,000 foot peaks, the estate boasts beautiful views in every direction.  Nearly 15 of the 20 acres is devoted to a modern high-density estate orchard to provide fruit for the cider production, as well as two greenhouses to provide produce for the onsite kitchen and tasting room.  With sustainable and biodynamic farming practices core to our brand, Dendric Estate will represent the pinnacle of premium cider and spirits in the west.  

Position Summary:

The successful candidate will be responsible for year round cider fruit production, estate horticulture, greenhouse operations, spring planting, development projects, and landscape maintenance.  Dendric Estate is similar in aesthetics and operations to a winery and vineyard, so we are looking for someone who can balance productive growth with visual aesthetics. This person must be data-driven, with a passion for sustainable solutions.  Our location is just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, 20 minutes from the resort town of Park City, and at the entrance of the Uinta National Forest, so this position is perfect for someone who enjoys year-round outdoor recreation.  We are a young company with big plans, and we need someone with passion to help build a company from the ground (and below) up.

Responsibilities:
 

Cider Orchard Estate Management

• Build off of current practices and research with company leadership to implement future strategy for a high density estate orchard buildout, prioritizing sustainable and biodynamic farming methods, water conservation and reuse, options for agritourism, and ultimately grow the highest quality cider fruit possible from a high elevation estate orchard
• Execute all spring plantings
  • Site and soil prep, trellis and irrigation installation
  • Ensure new tree plantings are done efficiently and on time, to coincide with annual spring water turn-on
• Manage the orchard through highly variable seasons in the most holistic way possible, from winter pruning, to spring organic spray applications, through summer watering and fertigation, to fall harvest and winter turn-down
  • Implement strategies to protect the blooms and fruit during early- and late-season weather events, such as frost and hail.
  • Develop a full year program incorporating IPM, understory weed management, and disease mitigation which supports a natural and beneficial ecosystem
  • Design and implement a soil heath program across the entire estate focused on leveraging the soil biome with beneficial microbes
  • Work closely with the Cider House Production Manager to coordinate harvest schedule, fruit delivery and subsequent pressed pomace removal
• Responsibility for sitewide compost & mulching program and its utilization throughout the cider orchard and the greenhouse produce program
• Inventory management of all inputs and consumables for Orchard, including but not limited to spray chemicals, soil and tree nutrients, rodent abatement, disease mitigation sprays, equipment fluids, seals, replacement parts, etc.
• Responsibility for all agriculture equipment purchases, maintenance, and repairs to prioritize spring, summer and fall operations
• Interview, hire, train and manage a seasonal team to assist during the peak operational periods
• Care for supporting components of the ecosystem, such as beehives, kestrel boxes, etc.

Budget and Regulatory Compliance

• Monthly budget reporting, in cooperation with finance dept., for full annual budget accountability relating to agriculture expenses and assets
• Research and apply for local and federal grants that align with our agriculture objectives
• Track orchard inputs throughout the season with a goal of regulatory compliance within one or more chosen holistic agricultural certification programs, such as organic, biodynamic, etc.
• Work with local Water Master to ensure local and state compliance on quality and volumetric usage over season
• In cooperation with the Beverage Manager, produce an annual public harvest report that corelates our orchard practices to the final beverage product.

Greenhouse Produce Production

• In produce greenhouse: Lead greenhouse production year-round, working closely with the Tasting Room Chef, to curate a four season schedule of plantings and outputs, ultimately designed to work with the tasting room’s annual schedule and food processing for public sales
• In event greenhouse: Maintain an open, visually aesthetic greenhouse space in collaboration with branding and hospitality teams for greenhouse events

Full Site Landscaping

• Design and manage a full estate landscaping and groundskeeping program, connecting high density orchard zones to public zones, including the state road interface

Marketing & Brand Events

• Work in coordination with brand marketing and events leadership, to plan for and prepare brand activations throughout the estate helping to showcase the “branch to bottle” connection between the agriculture and the beverage products
• To serve as the professional horticulturist face of Dendric Estate, by occasionally greeting and interacting with guests, responding to inquiries, and providing horticultural content for investor and consumer publications

Compensation:

$45K - $60K per year + Company Equity (dependent on experience and qualifications)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany, or a related field, or equivalency
• Two years of experience in a professional horticulture settingStrong knowledge and understanding of plant culture and best practices for ornamental and/or native plant care
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Suite and Adobe
• Ability to lift 55 lbs. properly and safely
• Demonstrated human relations skills; including effective written and oral communication

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany, or a related field, or equivalency
• 3+ years experience in professional Orchard or Vineyard operations
• 2+ years experience leading individuals and small teams
• A Utah Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicators License, or obtain within first six months of employment
• Operators experience with all equipment and tools common to the trade, such as 55+HP tractor, implements, sprayer, etc.
• Able to safely and effectively perform all physical tasks essential to the position and to work safely in inclement weather conditions, heat, cold, precipitation, etc.
• Commitment to provide excellent customer service and maintain a consistent professional demeanor/presence
• Experience working in a public garden
• Landscape design & use of related software
• Spanish language fluency

Benefits

• Company equity grant program, with vesting period, allowing you to participate in the success of the business
• Paid parental leave (in addition to FMLA)
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation accruals each month
• Bring your dog to work
• Continued education stipend
• Annual National Parks pass & State Parks pass