Company description

Pigasus Meats is a pasture-based livestock farm located in South Hero, VT. We have a flock of 1700 laying hens and plan to finish 360 pigs in 2022. All animals are on pasture in the growing season and on deep-bedded pack in the winter months. We sell our eggs and pork both retail and wholesale to local accounts in Vermont and Massachusetts. We are in the process of building our farrowing program, but currently buy in the majority of our pigs as growers from a producer in Long Island. We strive to actively manage our animals across our fields and forested land in a way that enhances and improves biological diversity and functions as well to benefit the ecosystem as a whole. Landscape design principles such as keyline design influence our pasture management practices and soil health considerations. We aim to operate at a scale that provides a substantial amount of food to our local food shed at an appropriate cost. A main tenet of our operation is to provide the best life possible for the animals by allowing them to express their natural pig and chicken behaviors. We are constantly learning, making mistakes, and working to improve our systems to meet the goals above.

Job description

We are looking to hire for our “Farm Hand” position. This is a generalist job, working daily with livestock, pastures, and general farm tasks. We aim to have an even workload year-round. Eggs are washed and packed twice weekly, with deliveries going out on Fridays. A sample of tasks and chores that will happen during the week are as follows:

• Daily animal chores: health checks, pasture movement, feeding
• Setting up and breaking down temporary pig and chicken paddocks
• Egg washing
• General farm maintenance: weed whacking fence lines, repairing water lines, checking electric fence charges
• Rebuilding permanent fencing
• Tractor work: mowing, infrastructure movement, livestock loading, manure spreading, seeding
• Long term landscape design implementation
• Deliveries inside Chittenden county, processed pork pick up in Ferrisburgh
• Potential to work at Farmers Market

This is just a small sample of the daily work that goes on at Pigasus Meats. We are looking to constantly improve our systems and management of the farm.

Additionally, if an employee has a specific area of focus, we are open to creating a more specialized position for the following season. Past focuses include:

• Animal welfare
• Pasture management
• Equipment maintenance and operation

Universal Pigasus Meats Employee Requirements:

• Interest and excitement to work and learn in a pasture-based livestock production system
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Effective communication with owners, manager, and co-workers
• Ability to lift 50lbs and team lift up to 100lbs
• Ability to work long hours in variable weather conditions with energy/engagement throughout the day
• Comfort in working with chickens and pigs with a focus on animal well-being
• Motivated to learn from mistakes and grow as a team
• Accountability and a desire to work towards constant improvement on the farm
• Previous farm/livestock experience is not necessary-we can train!
• Valid Driers License, legally able to work in United States

Full-time, bi-weekly schedule for a total of 80 hours

• Housing on-farm including utilities is available (internet, electric, propane, trash/recycling). Inquire about rent.
• Access to eggs, pork
• COVID Pay: 5 days paid off - if needing to get tested, quarantine, or having symptoms
• Workman’s compensation
• Education opportunities
• Stipend towards daily work wear

2x pairs of coveralls for work, 1x pair egg washroom work shoes

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

March 16, 2022