Farm Assistant/ Part Time
Morse Brook Farm is seeking a part time year round farm assistant. Position available immediately (October 2024)
20-25 hours a week, must be available one weekend day.
Primary responsibilities include:
- clearing invasive species and reclaiming field edges using power equipment such as chainsaws and walk behind brush hog
- general maintenance of farm such as snow clearing, mowing, fence repair
- animal care including setting fence for rotational grazing during grazing season and feeding and watering animals in the barn in winter months,
- assisting with health checks, lambing (March/April/May)
- assisting with haying 2-3 times a year
- Other tasks as assigned
Requirements:
This job requires sustained physical labor on a daily basis.
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs
- Comfortable working outdoors all year
- Be able to work cooperatively with other farm staff
- Be able to work independently on single person projects
- Available one weekend day
- Comfortable around livestock (sheep and cattle), livestock guardian dogs
Preference:
- Some schedule flexibility
- Animal care experience (must have willingness to learn)
Compensation:
- Hourly wage depending on experience $15-18/hour
- For the right person part of compensation is onsite housing - private room. Kitchen,bath, laundry shared with very occasional volunteer visitors. Must be a team player
- Opportunities to learn about all aspects of sheep farming, working with herding and LGD dogs (we place a heavy emphasis on learning opportunities)
Please send a letter of interest and job experience to:
Liz Shaw
Morse Brook Farm
226 Kurkul Rd Westminster, VT 05346
About Morse Brook Farm
Morse Brook Farm is a 207 acre pasture based sheep farm located in Westminster, VT We primarily raise sheep for meat and wool. In addition to our 150 sheep we have some beef cattle and a sugar bush where we produce Maple Syrup.We are in the process of renovating the 80 acres of fields through rotational grazing, targeted management and focused invasive species control, without the use of herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. We manage our livestock with the use of Border Collies for herding and Maremma Sheepdogs for guarding the flock. We regularly provide educational opportunities on the role of sheep dogs. Our hope is to increase species diversity in our pastures, provide habitat for wildlife in our woods and fields and coexist with the natural world around us while providing sheep related products. We are not organic but promote sustainable and regenerative practices.