Company description

Square Roots Farm is a diversified family livestock farm located on 185 acres in Lanesborough, Massachusetts in our thirteenth year of operation. We use rotational grazing to build healthy soils, sequester carbon, raise exceptional animals, and produce delicious food for our community. We follow organic practices and work to honor, restore, and build upon relationships among people, animals, food, and the land. Our customer base spans multiple cross-sections of our community, from seasonal tourists and second home owners to middle class residents and families facing financial struggles. We vend at farmers' markets that serve low income communities by accepting and doubling SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits.

Our farm team consists of owners Michael & Ashley, our two young kids, 1-3 part-time farm hands, 10,000 broilers, 2000 laying hens, 400 turkeys, 45 head of Devon cattle, and 40 pigs.

Job description

Square Roots Farm is looking for an assistant livestock manager starting immediately with at least one full season of experience working with livestock in pasture-based systems.

As an assistant livestock manager, you will contribute to our goals of farming sustainability, promoting food access for all, and growing high quality food while learning everything you need to know on how to run your own small scale, profitable pasture-based farm - or to help us grow our farm in the years to come.

The ideal candidate desires to pursue a career in agriculture, works independently, takes initiative to educate themselves, has excellent problem solving skills, and possesses a strong desire to learn new skills. Our most successful past employees have been those who are passionate about farming and on board with our mission.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, ages, races, and ethnicities.

Schedule:

Year-round, starting as soon as possible.

Five day work week with two consecutive days off. Some weekend work required.

Responsibilities:

• Implement all livestock moves (twice-weekly for layers, daily for broilers and cows, weekly for pigs) or instruct other employees to accomplish them
• Manage chick brooders, setting chicks in brooder and moving them out to pasture
• Assist with loading livestock
• Maintain, troubleshoot and repair fence and water systems
• Distribute feed
• Process chickens
• Some sales, freezer inventory, order packing and delivery
• Some weekend work

Qualifications:

• At least one year’s experience farming livestock in pasture-based systems
• Basic knowledge about pasture-based livestock systems
• Desire to nerd-out and learn more about such systems
• Ability to both pay attention to detail and work efficiently; with the discretion to know when to do which
• Ability to both take risks/work independently and ask for help when needed
• Level-headed communication skills, with supervisors, coworkers, customers, etc.
• Valid driver’s license
• Some tractor experience, or eagerness to learn right away
• Basic hand and power tool experience

Compensation:

• Salaried, starting at $36,000/year
• Paid time off - start with 3 and earn an additional day per month worked
• Eggs, discount on other farm products
• Opportunities for ongoing professional and career development; could develop into a multi-year position with additional benefits and responsibilities

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $35,568* - $50,000

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline