Shahar Caspi

**** **** ***, ** *****

530-***-****

acrn71@r.postjobfree.com

Objective: I’m very passionate about farming and particularly bio-dynamic farming. I am seeking a position

where I can use my experience, education, and passion to help you implement the best bio-dynamic

practices available.

Experience:

2012-2014 Currently serving as vineyard and farm manager at Clos Saron Vineyard & Winery. In addition to all the usual viticultural efforts expected from this role, I was hired to develop a dry farming operation through bio-dynamic soil management. I was also hired to create a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program for 30-plus families, with the aim of producing and delivering a box of fresh produce every week throughout the year, to include vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs and grains.

Among my responsibilities: Managing the WWOOF program, including the management, training and education of interns in organic/bio-dynamic/dry farming and viticulture; running a soil management program that enables production of fresh produce with significantly less water usage (zero where possible) in fruit trees, vines and summer crops; deliver (washed and packed) fresh produce once a week to all members, and to collect and dispose of recyclable; run a pasture management program for all grazing animals, to improve soil structure and water absorption capacity; negotiate and manage all lease contracts of land as we strive to broaden production both in terms of quantity and diversity of fresh produce and animals. In addition to the above, I am responsible for all regular activities of a farm/vineyard manager, including record-keeping; scheduling and monitoring of irrigation; spraying; managing the pest/weed control and fertilization programs; performing tractor and equipment operations;,producing bio-dynamic compost, etc.

Key achievements include:

--Facilitating the growth of the CSA program from 17 members when we started at the end of 2012, to currently over 45 members (including trading members for services such as veterinary and mechanics).

-- Growing our sheep herd from 15 at the end of 2012 to over 40 sheep today -- with zero input on feed (100% grass fed year round!)

--Reducing by at least 30% our water usage in the first year, and, despite the zero precipitations in the first 4 months of the second winter, using zero water for all our veggie/fruit production – all with

significant improvement in yields!

--Running a very successful WWOOF program. We have hosted and trained numerous individuals from all over U.S, with great exit reviews; these reviews can be seen at WWOOF U.S.A:

http://www.wwoofusa.org/Farms/Details?UserId=1bc1a845-cffe-46eb-bb0a-0c21df4f8b42

2008-2011 Vineyard manager at Renaissance vineyard and winery. I was hired to convert their 45 acres

conventional cultivated vineyard to one using fully bio-dynamic viticulture. Among my

responsibilities: production of bio-dynamic compost, compost tea and preparations, establish

nursery for cuttings, prepare an annual vineyard plan and budget, prepare biennial replanting

program for the 35 years old vineyard, mentoring and training the staff in bio-dynamic – organic

viticulture, Monitor nutrient status and grape diseases, manage and maintain record keeping of all

vineyard activities, manage preventative maintenance programs for all equipment and irrigation

(including servicing for all vineyard equipment), Scheduling and mentoring of irrigation, spray

and fertilization program, perform all tractor work (spraying, mowing, disking, composting as well

as front loader operation).

Under my management, in the last 3 years the yearly crop went up steadily between 3-7% every year

and production cost went down by 12%!

2005-2007I established a combined vegetable, fruit, and animal farm for the production and marketing of bio-

dynamic agricultural produce. The business grows ~75 different crops! In the second year of

operation the annual gross income went up by 105% and then 80% in the third year.

2004 Agronomist at Da Kedem, organic pesticides company. I managed and analyzed all field trails

2004Agronomist. I managed the nursery and the experimental plots of Eucalyptop a company marketing

the farmed forest concept.

2003–2004 First job after school(seasonal) operator of large tractors (John Deeres 4850) and several machines

in processing and planting fodder at one of the largest dairy farm in Israel including preventing

maintenance and service.

1998-2000 I was a partner in a woodshop specialized in custom furniture from exotic trees.

1994-2000 I was executive manager of a decoration company.

1989-1990 Farm manager of a farm that grew exotic fruits and vegetables

Education:

Completed certification course for conducting examinations in organic agriculture at SKAL

company, Israel

2005 Completed certification course for organic growers – at the organization for organic agriculture

(IBOAA) the Israeli administrative agriculture research institute

2000-2003 Bachelor in Plant Sciences at the Hebrew university, Jerusalem, agriculture faculty. (Self funded)

1990-1994 Took a self-funded round-the-world trip to study and learn new organic and bio-dynamic practices.

During this trip, I studied various crop growing methods at several places around the world

including apple, mango, wine grapes cultivation in Australia, deer and dairy farms production in

New Zealand, as well as vegetables cultivation in Japan.

1989 Took plant protection courses at the ministry of agriculture.

I am proficient using Microsoft Professional Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint

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