Who We Are

Shelburne Farms is an education nonprofit on a mission to inspire and cultivate a sustainable future. We offer transformative learning experiences to help educators and students create a better world.  Our home campus is a 1,400-acre working farm located on the traditional, unceded homelands—Ndakinna—of the Winooskik band of the Abenaki.  

What We Do

• Engage youth and people of all ages in equitable learning experiences that inspire them to build diverse, resilient, caring communities.
• Steward our working lands and heritage buildings as we embody values of place and community through caring for and sharing our natural, agricultural, cultural, and human resources.
• Collaborate with educators and other local, national, and international partners to advance education for sustainability worldwide

Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Local Food System Work

In our food systems work, we believe that soil, plant, animal, environmental and human health are interconnected and that agriculture is the base of a healthy culture and civilization. Our goal is to be a diversified, organic farm that supports a healthy local food system and creates an inspiring learning environment. We are dedicated to growing and serving wholesome food, and purchasing from producers we know and trust. Our customers enjoy delicious meals that feature fresh, seasonal organic fruits and vegetables, as well as cheese, pasture raised meat and other products from the Farm and from our region’s farming community. We’ve been producing raw milk cheddar at the farm for over 30 years.

Primary duties of Lead Cheesemaker include:

• We will teach you all about cheesemaking - you just need to bring a curious mind and a passion for food science.
• Lead a cheese production day throughout every step of the process from the arrival of milk to final press. Make cheese in either a Lead or Assist capacity 2-3 days per week. Work closely with the Head Cheesemaker to adjust the daily make process based on changes in the milk.
• Participation in food safety and sanitation programs. This includes daily cleaning and sanitation, record keeping, internal monitoring and quality assurance.
• Assist with cheese processing. This includes cutting, waxing, packaging, and labeling for retail sale 1-4 days per week.
• Assist with equipment maintenance and calibrations.
• Participate in our weekly sensory program. Work with our Tasting Team to grade batches of cheese and track cheese quality.
• Assisting in performing order fulfillment and shipping, especially during the holiday season.
• Provide sales and marketing assistance at farmers markets, demos, food shows, and farm programs.
• Potential for learning to Haul the milk from the dairy to the cheese facility 1-2 mornings per week.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Cheesemaking or milk and cheese chemistry experience is preferred but not required. Food Science education is great if you're looking to explore the world of cheesemaking.
• Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices, cleaning and sanitation, and food safety is preferred
• Significant physical strength and endurance, including the ability to lift 50+ lbs repetitively. Includes long days on your feet working in hot and cold environments such as makerooms and coolers.
• Team player that is flexible, hardworking and wants to learn more about the art and science of cheesemaking

Work Schedule

• Four 10-hour days, approximately 6:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Some overtime may be required
• Work schedule may include one weekend day

Physical factors / working conditions:

• This position requires significant physical demands, including the ability to work up to 10 hour days on your feet in hot and cold environments.
• There is repetitive lifting of up to 50+ pounds and stacking blocks in our coolers using ladders.
• Cleaning chemicals and sanitizers are used.
• Must be able to understand and use processing machinery safely.

Benefits

• We offer medical coverage with a Health Reimbursement Account, a Flexible Spending Account for medical and dependent care expenses, company paid long term disability, a 401(k) with the potential for company match and paid time off to recharge.
• Additionally, we offer a 30% discount on Farm products.

Shelburne Farms is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Candidates with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences are strongly encouraged to apply. The duties and responsibilities described herein are not intended to be a complete and comprehensive list; additional tasks may be assigned to this position from time to time, and the scope of the position may change based on operational demands.