Company description

Willow Pond Sheep Farm is a 65-acre, pasture-based sheep dairy in the Hudson Valley. It was established in 2018 by Carrie and Brent Wasser and is currently the only sheep dairy in the Hudson Valley. We milk our sheep from May-October and produce yogurt and bottled milk in our on-farm creamery. We also raise pastured lamb. Our happy, healthy flock is at the center of all we do, and we are committed to rotational grazing practices, the careful stewardship of our land, and the production of high quality, healthy food.

Job description

Come milk sheep at Willow Pond Sheep Farm!

Our sheep dairy and farm are located in Gardiner, Ulster County, 10 min. from New Paltz. We make sheep’s milk yogurt in our on-farm creamery and also raise pastured lamb.

We are seeking a weekday afternoon milker for the 2023 season (late April to mid-October). The afternoon milker is responsible for milking our 40 ewes in our on-farm milking parlor, which is equipped with a milking system. The work includes setting up equipment before each milking and cleaning the parlor and milkhouse afterwards. The milker also brings the ewes in from the pasture every afternoon (one of the loveliest jobs on the farm). There is also occasional moving and handling of the ewes.

We offer complete training on how to milk sheep. After two weeks you’ll be fully prepared to milk on your own. Previous milking experience is not required, but experience working with sheep, goats, and/or cows is preferred. The position can be paired with a morning job on another farm in the area.

A few key details:

• Compensation is $18/hr.
• Position runs from April 25 - Oct. 15, though these dates are somewhat flexible
• Arrival is 3:00 or 3:30 pm weekdays; milking is usually done by 6:30 pm. (Training hours might take a little longer.)
• We offer 5 days off (unpaid) during the season, which can be taken as a whole week off, plus 3 paid sick days
• Milking takes place in our indoor milking parlor, and there is a clean bathroom and break room
• We offer complimentary sheep yogurt and sheep milk to all our employees!

The position is ideal for anyone who loves small-scale dairying, wants to learn about sheep, or is seeking more experience with small ruminants. For those eager to learn, we are always happy to share what we have learned during our 5+ years of sheep dairying and raising lambs on pasture.

We are able to give instruction in basic Spanish. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applicants of any race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, nationality, gender, gender identity, age, handicap or disability (including HIV status), union or political activity, immigration status, citizenship status, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Compensation

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

Application instructions

Deadline

March 15, 2023