Valentines Farm is a 4 acres homestead where a wide diversity of vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruits are grown. Our mission is to provide high quality food to the farm owners, farm staff/apprentices and the local community and to train and inspire young generations on the art and craft of agriculture.

VF was originally established in 1975 and has been family owned for over three generations. Since 2016 a new impulse is bringing the farm back to life with the development of small-scale biodynamic farming.

The beauty of Valentines Farm is that being a homestead, we focus on quality and diversity rather than quantity and profitability.

We offer:

• To join a dynamic farm and team
• The opportunity to develop the animal aspect of the farm
• The opportunity to teach and train young farmers
• Support for enhancing your own farming knowledge and education through agriculture conferences as well as other professional development opportunities. 
• Long-term employment, housing on property and a salaried position with benefits
• The possibility to expand and grow

We are looking for an experienced livestock farmer to join our team and expand our livestock/dairy operation. At present we have a flock of laying hens and honeybees, and we want to further develop the animal aspect of the farm by incorporating a small herd of 3 dairy goats and 3 sheep, a dog and a possibly other livestock.

Required

• At least 3 years of experience with mixed livestock farming and 1 year of experience working with dairy goats and sheep
• Is a farm animal and dog lover
• Is able to create and carry out a suitable livestock program
• Is proficient at making marketable quality cheeses and dairy products
• Is willing to live locally or on the farm prioritizing the animal’s welfare and the privacy and security of the family
• Is capable of keeping records
• Is able to be on their feet, walk, kneel and squat, for extended periods of time, and lift 50 pounds
• Is willing to work outdoors under all weather conditions

Preferred

• Has a background in biodynamic animal husbandry and farming
• Has an inquisitive mind and is open to learn and educate themselves through the work they do
• Is a self-starter, highly motivated individual
• Possess great interpersonal and communicational skill
• Has community oriented spirit and feels comfortable around children
• Is comfortable sharing knowledge, teaching and training aspiring farmers
• Has a great work ethic and leads by example
• Is organized and detail oriented
• Is a team player as well as able to work independently and unsupervised
• Is able to keep a dynamic work pace and manage time, labor and productivity
• Is able to troubleshoot problems and find solutions.
• Is handy and able to repair simple structures and equipment
• Has basic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office
  
  

The work schedule will be dictated by the animals needs with all farmers taking part of milking and chores. Our regular schedule is Monday through Friday and we rotate weekend chore coverage with the entire farm staff. This means that during the winter each employee will typically be on duty for weekend chores every third weekend and during the summer every fourth or fifth weekend. We try very hard to honor time off, but there are occasional exceptions that require working late. Our typical work schedule is fifty hours/week from April through October and forty hours from November through March.

Responsibilities

Duties may include and are not limited to:

• Participate in planning and establishing the livestock operation
• Apply biodynamic and regenerative methods and principals

• Maintain high standards of animal welfare at all times
• Ensure animals have access to food and water at all times and that their dietary needs are met in accordance to their yearly and reproductive cycles.
• Manage and carefully undertake rotational grazing
• Ensure quality forage supply
• Identify sick animals and determine proper treatment or contact a veterinarian
• Assist with selection of healthy animals and suitable breeds
• Manage breeding program and conduct artificial insemination
• Manage weaning and drying programs
• Assist with kidding and births
• Care for kids and lambs and feed according to schedule
• Perform routine animal care tasks: cut lamb tails, castrate male kids and lambs, shear sheep, trim hoofs, administer vaccinations and medications, apply ear tags
• Perform and assist in milking by hand or with adequate equipment
• Clean the milking parlor and equipment after each milking and ensure milk quality is not compromised by following standards
• Prepare marketable quality cheeses, yogurt, and dairy products
• Package, label and prepare products for delivery
• Maintain kitchen and cheese making equipment in spotless condition
• Transport lambs or goats once ready for sale or slaughter
• Collect and wash eggs, clean the chicken coop regularly
• Carry out chicken slaughter and processing
• Care and train farm dog and guard dog (if have one)
• Build, maintain and repair fences, shelters and other simple structures
• Clean and maintain farm grazing grounds, bedding, shelters and fences
• Operate and maintain farm tools and equipment clean and organized
• Keep thorough records
• Train apprentices and summer helpers

Other Responsibilities - Caretaker/ Live-in housing Responsibilities/guidelines

• Assist with eventual unforeseen incidents and urgent property issues
• Assist farmers on any other tasks on the farm when time is available