Company description

The Farm School Inc. is a youth centered 36 year non-profit organization with a mission of connecting people to the land.  The 4 major areas of our organization are:

The Program for Visiting Schools and Summer Program, which brings youth to the farm for overnight trips and to engage with all aspects of the farm (small animal livestock, diary, gardens, forestry and the kitchen). 

The Chicken Coop School is our year round Middle School open to local 7th and 8th graders that includes farm life as part of its curriculum. 

-Our Food Donation program brings over a thousand of pounds of meat, eggs, milk and veggies to our local community, seniors, co-op market, partner school community in the Boston area and to the Nipmuc tribe.

-The Nipmuc Land Project is dedicated to providing the space for Nipmucs to direct a process of connecting back to their ancestral lands where the Farm School resides.  

-We are seeking individuals who get joy from sharing their love of land and farming with young people. 

Job description

BARN FARMER TEACHER  

Youth are at the heart of our work at The Farm School (TFS). Our Program for Visiting School (PVS) is the centerpiece of TFS. Each year, students come to help us care for our farm during 3-day visits. The students come with their classes, in groups of up to 40 children.

The  Barn Farmer Teachers work as part of the animal care team responsible for the year round care of all of our livestock, and for centering youth engagement in all of that work. Barn staff lead youth through every aspect of livestock work and serve as a vital connection point between youth and the farm's livestock. They answer questions, set an example of appropriate livestock interaction, and execute the work that sustains a safe and caring livestock program. 

All TFS livestock are raised for either work or food production, and Barn staff must be comfortable with the full spectrum of livestock work. Including hands-on veterinary support, loading of animals for transport, and recognition of the facts of livestock slaughter. This work also requires a desire to work closely with animals that produce the meat, eggs, milk and compost. We commit to  providing timely care to sick and injured animals. The Barn staff shares responsibility for our livestock, but each farmer is responsible for the care and upkeep of their assigned enterprise. Interest in growing into this type of responsibility for one or more enterprises is vital. We operate a small dairy, a flock of laying hens, seasonal pigs, a small herd of meat goats/lambs, a creamery to bottle milk, and a small beef herd.

A Barn Farmer Teacher is part of PVS and will have responsibilities in all program areas in addition to those that are livestock specific. These responsibilities demand flexibility, comfort with multiple transitions throughout the day, being solutions oriented and responsive to the ebb and flow of farming and youth work. 

Core Role Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Livestock Coordinator, work to sustain livestock operations for both programming and production. Under the direction of the PVS Program Director work to deliver quality year-round youth programming. 
• Serve as the main point for youth interaction with our livestock: patient, welcoming, responsive. 
• To organize your work in ways that prioritizes youths ability to do the work.
• To organize your work area in ways that uplift the FS mission and goals towards Racial Equity.
• To be reliable, meeting your scheduled commitments and communicate when changes are needed.
• Timely responses to slack/email communications 
• Participate in programmatic activities including options, class, chores, dish clean up, evening activities, community meetings, opening and closing circles

Interpersonal skills

• Kindness: a team player with a genuine enthusiasm for sharing things you love with youth
• Reliability: work within a schedule that has multiple transitions and independently keep track of your daily responsibilities
• Flexibility: operating within a shifting schedule, pivoting as farm/youth needs arise to best host the group
• Communication: the ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, coordinators, directors and your team. 
• Collaboration: teamwork and communication 

Community Based Responsibilities

• To be kind, gracious and flexible to staff and youth.
• Participate in a rotation of weekend greenhouse and animal chores
• Participate in work week activities for your work area and work projects outside of your specific area
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and all staff meetings 
• Participate in carrying out FS fundraising and community events
• Participate in all hands on deck activities like harvest, sugaring and bringing in the hay.

HR Responsibilities

• Maintain CPR/First Aid and other certifications in collaboration with the Program Director
• Participate in feedback, check-ins and reviews and follow TFS Handbook

The unpredictable nature of farming/working with youth and our shared responsibility for the care of the farm requires that all employees engage in the process of meeting the needs of the farm/program- gardens, fields, forest, barns, bunkhouses, kitchens etc. 

Timing of job:

Immediate opening: This is a year-long full time position with a 3 month provisionary period to ensure fit and ability for continuation in the role. For 9 months of the year, from February to November your schedule can begin as early as 6:15 and end as late as 7:30 pm. December and January schedules are more reduced. Farmer teachers are able to take vacations during the months of December, January, February, June and August.  

Compensation/benefits: 

• Annual salary $38,000 to $42,000 
• Employer Paid Health Insurance/contribution (employee paid dental option)
• Relocation Benefits (up to $1000)
• Professional development funds
• 6 days sick time
• 6 weeks paid vacation (taken during designated non-program blocks)  
• On-site housing provided (as available)
• 3 meals and 2 snacks a day during programs (prepared by our nourishment team)
• Farm School produce including eggs, meat, milk, veggies, herbs, bread and maple syrup!

Compensation

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

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline