TomKat Ranch is an 1,800-acre grassfed cattle ranch in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our team of ranchers, scientists, and advocates look to nature to guide our landscape management in support of our values.  The mission of TomKat Ranch is to provide healthy food on working lands in a way regenerates the planet and inspires others to action. Through 2021, the ranch’s primary focus is to inspire the transition of 1,000,000 acres of California rangeland to regenerative management and to catalyze similar action across the United States.  As part of this work, the Fork to Farm Initiative strives to influence the way society eats through philanthropy, outreach, education, science, and our on-site grass-fed beef business, LeftCoast GrassFed, to accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture.

TomKat Ranch is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

JOB DESCRIPTIONPosition Purpose and Term

This is a paid, 1-year agricultural position with an average of 45 - 60 hours of work per week with a flexible schedule that can include weekends, early mornings, and evenings.  The Fork to Farm Apprentice works with the ranch staff to assist with the operation of the ranch’s grassfed beef business, philanthropy, events, and outreach. Apprentices participate in a variety of activities that provide on-the-job training and instruction in regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems and learn the practical and theoretical aspects, mission, and goals of TomKat Ranch (TKR) and LeftCoast GrassFed (LCGF).

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position is for people interested in gaining experience in regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems. The Apprentice will be expected to develop his/her knowledge and skills to progress his/her career in regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems and take part in activities, meetings, and events on and off the ranch to further that pursuit.
Supervision Received and Exercised

The Apprentice receives direct supervision from the Food Advocacy Manager or his/her delegate as appropriate.  This position exercises no supervision. She/he must maintain high standards of efficient, ethical, and professional operation for the well being of the Ranch’s staff, facilities, land, animals, and resources.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

The duties described below are provided as examples and are not meant to be an exhaustive or all-inclusive list:

• Create social media content for TKR and LCGF.
• Assist LCGF in general operations and attend farmers’ markets.
• Provide support on grants and philanthropy for TKR.
• Assist in the care of TomKat Ranch’s on-site garden and assist with harvesting produce.
• Act as liaison between LCGF and TKR Land & Livestock Team for certification compliance, marketing, and messaging.
• Support Fork to Farm outreach efforts including hosting on-ranch tours and groups and creating/editing communications materials.
• Assist with general office management, administration, safety, and ranch tasks (indoor and outdoor).
• Organize and manage visitor and contact lists.
• Help manage and mentor interns working with Fork to Farm Initiative.

Job Related and Essential Qualifications

• Great writing and communications skills
• Familiarity and/or willingness to learn social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)
• Detail-oriented
• Systems thinker
• Passion for regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems
• Some culinary skills or deep interest in cooking
• Eager to learn
• Flexible and collaborative
• Self-starter
• Exceptional customer service skills

Experience and Training Guidelines

A combination of experience, training, knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Education: A Bachelor’s Degree with coursework in food systems, environmental science, nutrition, health, public policy, agriculture, communications, business administration, marketing, or equivalent.

• Experience: Experience in ranch or farm work, outdoor education, sales/marketing, land planning, social media, or business management.

• License or Certificate: Must possess a class C Driver’s License in good standing issued in the United States.

Physical Requirements

Essential duties require the ability to perform ranch related duties including 10+hour days (as needed) in winter and summer outdoor conditions; safely exert a considerable amount of physical effort to hike on steep terrain, stoop, crouch, climb, and lift as much as 50 pounds in performance of assigned duties;  ability to work around animals, farm tools, in freezers, in a safe manner; subject to outdoor working conditions including exposure to dust, noise, heat, cold, rain, poison oak, brush, ticks; ability to recognize and work safely around hazards associated with ranching, ability to travel to different sites and locations.

Benefits and Compensation

This position includes on-site housing, full staff benefits (medical, dental, retirement, etc.), and hourly compensation based on experience and education.