Livestock and Garden Crew – Part time OR Full Time For the Right Candidate – Year Round – Long Term
Job description:This job is ALL ENCOMPASSING and the person interested in this position must be highly motivated and interested in working with livestock, gardens and all aspects of our farm. Livestock and Garden Crew reports directly to both the farm manager and the farm owner. We are happy to train the right person with the right attitude. This is not a position where you get to pick and choose what you want to do. Each day there will be lists of non negotiable tasks and the Livestock and Garden Crew must complete these tasks set forth by management. Sometimes there is internal crew delegation between the team, but often management assigns tasks to each crew member based on skill set.
The Livestock and Garden Crew has the following qualities: strong work ethic, a desire to learn and grow, positive attitude, able to self start, enjoys trying new things and experimenting, and having an open mind. This person takes failure in stride and understands that things rarely go as planned and they can be flexible and able to pivot. This person should be physically fit and committed to a job where there is a LOT of walking and being on your feet all day long. This person must also be able to take constructive criticism well. We also expect this person to have an eye for detail and an understanding that LIVING THINGS are depending on you. Our expectations of the Livestock and Garden Crew is high as our brand has been built on quality care of our livestock and environment and our team is a huge part of this.
Who would thrive in this position? This job is best suited for someone that doesn’t have a lot of outside obligations as this job can be demanding and at times and unpredictable by nature. There are times that require working longer hours than normal, and it’s not often something we can plan for. Our staff stays until the days tasks or even emergency tasks are completed as a team. This person should be an effective communicator, can follow Standard Operating Procedures but also be open to trying things outside of what the standards are, if a pivot is needed. This is an incredibly physical demanding job. This person must be able to lift at least 50lbs and be quick and agile on their feet. This person must enjoy working in all aspects of the elements – when it’s cold and wet and freezing and when it’s incredibly hot and humid.
What are the hours like: Livestock and Farm Crew hours can be flexible as far as start times but your days will be set forth by management. At times you may be asked to switch days with other crew or pick up an extra day in the event of an emergency. During warmer months, you will be expected to start as early as possible (sometime between 630am to 8am). That can change in the cooler months. All start times and hours must be communicated to management the week prior and approved. The Livestock and Farm Crew will be expected to work a full 8 hours at least completing all necessary tasks during the day. Everyone is responsible for tracking their own hours and submitting them each week. Hours are cross checked against the cameras around the farm.
Examples of some you might complete in a day:
Feeding and watering chickens
Putting up or moving temporary fencing
Hauling compost or mulching with a wheelbarrow to gardens
Shoveling, using pitchforks, rakes and post hole diggers
Assisting with building shelters
Feed pigs with heavy feed bags, stepping over electric fencing and avoiding being knocked down by pigs
Checking electric fencing, walking fence lines and fixing any breaks or problems with fencing, putting up additional fencing
Assisting with moving chicken tractors
Seed starting
Planting
Transplanting
Pounding T Posts
Rotating and Moving Livestock
Moving and feeding feed barrels
Harvesting and washing and packing for market
Organizing walk in freezers, stocking produce stand, unloading product from butcher
Packing subscription boxes
Handling horses
Loading livestock for slaughter (chickens by hand, pigs and cattle through gates and chutes)
Using a chainsaw (with safety gear) to remove trees from fence lines or to help thin for pasture sections
Driving farm equipment like Skid steer and Manual Farm Truck (training will be given on this)
Checking oil and fluid levels in equipment, tire pressure and refilling gas and fuel and fluids as needed
Compensation Package
$15 per hour starting depending on experience
10% off all farm goods or access to “family products” at no cost when available
Pay increases based on performance and experience