Company description

We’re first generation farmers raising pastured pork, poultry and lamb near Sweet Home, Oregon on the traditional lands of the Kalapuya people. We are proud to be certified organic and Animal-Welfare-Approved.

Our animals rotate seasonally through pasture and heritage oak stands. They eat organic feed milled from PNW grains and peas, and receive organic cull crops from our open-pollinated seed company neighbors. Our hogs are finished on organic and biodynamic fruit from Oregon orchards. We've taken care to select hearty breeds that thrive in our region and produce full-flavored meat you'll be proud to serve at your table.

Dedicated to community, integrity, environmental stewardship, and deliciousness, we believe everyone deserves to eat well, and beautifully. Being an active participant in creating equitable food systems is integral to our farm. Visit our website to learn more about what these values mean to us.

Job description

We're seeking a well-rounded Farmhand to assist with many aspects of our pastured livestock operation-including daily chores, moving chicken tractors, paddock rotations, moving electric fencing, and other duties as needed. We are a small-scale, certified organic and animal-welfare-approved farm. We raise pork, poultry, and lamb. This position will be an important contributor to the farm who will often work independently.

This is a part-time (12 hrs/week), seasonal position (April-October). Note that morning chores take about 1.5 hours early in the season, and may take up to 3 hours at the height of the summer. Evening chore shifts are available to fill out the 12 hr work week as wanted, or you could choose to work a longer morning shift instead. Work/life balance is important, and we aim to make this position sustainable for someone who has another job or project. Hours are as follows, with room for flexibility based on other commitments and needs.

On-farm housing valued at $500/month is available, to be discussed at interview if desired. Work trade for housing is an option, and could extend past the main season if all parties agree it feels like a good fit. Successful applicants will likely either live nearby or choose to live on the farm.

$18/hr.

$100 annual gear stipend provided.

If more hours are desired, we're also hiring for our poultry processing crew. That would be an additional 6 hrs, every other week when we process birds.

Duties:

- Perform morning chores solo after training period (feeding and watering pastured pigs, broilers, laying duck flock, and sheep and moving chicken tractors).

- Evening chore shifts may also be available to meet 12 hrs/week if desired.

- Work with lead farmer to set up paddocks using portable electric fencing.

- Help move groups of livestock and equipment through a rotational grazing system.

- Use a string trimmer and mower to keep fence lines clear and clean up paddocks after livestock. Manual spot removal of undesirable species (weeds).

- Clean out barn pens, chick brooders in between groups of animals.

- Wash waters, feeders, coolers, and other farm equipment.

- Unload feed shipments.

- Help load and transport larger animals in trailers and chickens into transport crates.

- Support during routine animal wellness tasks (hoof trimming, fecal sampling, administering vitamins and herbal supplements).

- Assist with other farm tasks (building compost piles, mulching, weeding, etc)

- Farm infrastructure maintenance/repair and construction as needed and according to skill level.

Required Qualifications:

- Comfortable around large animals.

- Compassion and affection for farm livestock and an investment in their well-being.

- Willingness to assist with veterinary procedures.

- Ability to work outside in different adverse weather conditions (wet, cold, heat) and pay attention to one’s own physical health and needs. (Dress appropriately, drink water and take breaks.)

- Able to lift 50 lbs and walk on uneven terrain.

- Takes direction well.

- Motivated and willing to communicate clearly when issues arise and to work as a team to solve conflicts.

- Proficient driver comfortable with operating a vehicle in a professional setting. Driving farm vehicles may be required on occasion.

The following skills are also desired, but not required:

- At least one season of experience on a sustainable farm is preferred, either working with livestock or in organic vegetable production.

- Prior experience working with pastured hogs, poultry, sheep, or goats.

- Knowledge about rotational or management-intensive grazing.

- Familiarity with basic veterinary and animal health maintenance procedures.

- Interest in or experience with silvopasture or orchard management.

- Ability to drive a tractor and/or perform mechanical maintenance.

- Carpentry, welding, electrical or plumbing skills.

- Experience with some form of communal living.

- Commitment to food, environmental, and social justice.

Compensation

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

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline