Herd Manager at Larson Farm and Creamery

Wells, Vermont

Larson Farm and Creamery is a certified organic, 100% grass-fed herd of 35 A2A2 Jersey cows. We have an on-farm creamery and market all of our milk as either raw milk for human consumption or as pasteurized milk, yogurt and butter through our on-farm store, CSA, to local stores, and through regional distributors. 

We are looking for someone to assist in the day-to-day operation of the dairy operation. This includes milking, calf care, monitoring cow health and breeding, barn cleaning and feeding the cows, summer intensive rotational grazing, or in the winter months, using tractor to feed baleage. 

The manager may be called upon to assist the creamery staff as needed, though the bulk of the work is with the dairy cows. 

Qualifications: 

1. At least one year of dairy farm experience.
2. Some tractor experience.
3. Ability to communicate well and coordinate with the other farm staff. We have a dedicated team that catches the vision of a better food system, and cares deeply about producing high quality dairy products while improving pastures and contributing to a healthy watershed. 

Compensation: Based on experience with opportunities for growth.

Please send your resume and detailed description of your farming experience to Rich Larson at [email protected]. 

To learn more about us, visit our website: www.LarsonFarmVT.com 

Grassroots Vermont: Commercial Equipment, Processing, Kitchen & Industrial Assets Auction

Grassroots is relocating the Brandon, VT operation to Chittenden County in Vermont and liquidating surplus assets.

This auction features over 130 lots with a lineup of commercial, industrial, and specialty equipment, including processing machinery, lab/testing equipment, commercial kitchen assets, storage solutions, and facility infrastructure. Ideal for business owners, manufacturers, food production operations, and resellers.

From high-end used processing systems and analytical equipment to stainless steel kitchen setups and warehouse storage, this auction presents an excellent opportunity to acquire quality assets at competitive auction pricing.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Pure Pressure Longs Peak Rosin Press
• Orange Photonics LightLab3 Analyzer w/ Accessories
• Harvest Right Freeze Dryer w/ Vacuum Pump
• GreenBroz 215 Alchemist Trichome Extraction Machine
• Pro-Fill Continuous Electromagnetic Induction Sealing Machine
• Kinex SA-2000 Capper
• AmeriVacs AVN-20 Vacuum Sealer w/ Gas Purge
• Hoshizaki Stainless Steel Reach-In Refrigerator
• Champion Commercial Dishwasher
• Avantco 20 QT. Stand Mixer
• Daniels Vacuum Tumbler / Marinader
• Mitsubishi & Carrier Commercial Condensing Units
• 40’ Conex Shipping Container
• 2017 Ford Escape SUV

Additional items include pallet racking, stainless steel tables, lab equipment, air compressors, storage racks, grow tables, kitchen supplies, tools, and a wide assortment of support equipment and inventory.

We are looking for the right person to join our growing team! Sweet Rowen Farmstead is a grass- based hill farm in Northern Vermont. Our milking herd of 60 pasture-raised Vermont Heritage Lineback cows produce delicious high quality milk. Currently we process 800,000 lbs/yr of our milk, which we bottle and craft into yogurt and cheese in our wood-fired creamery. We ship an additional 400,000 lbs a year on the bulk market. We’re transitioning our herd to be certified organic in anticipation of shipping our bulk milk to an organic buyer.

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about farming, committed to working hard, and is a kind person who is excited to maintain a positive work space with our team. This position would be 40-50 hours per week. The herd manager works closely with the farm owner to make decisions that are best for the business. The herd manager is often on call since housing is provided on the farm property, this can be discussed further with the farm owner.  The herd manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of our dairy herd, including daily operations like feeding, milking, animal health management, breeding, maintaining herd records, and ensuring optimal milk production while prioritizing animal welfare and environmental sustainability. The herd manager works closely with veterinarian care providers to maintain herd health. This position will train under our current herd manager as they transition to other roles within the farm, we are aiming to have this position filled for a start date of June 1st. 

Animal Care

• Monitoring cow health, identifying and treating illness
• Manage animal health with best Organic practices
• Data entry into Smaxtec cow monitoring software
• Manage breeding programs, including artificial insemination and manage bull bred heifers
• Overseeing calving and newborn calf care
• Implementing preventative healthcare measure
• Monthly sampling for DHIA
• Maintain DHIA records
• Work with hoof trimmer to maintain cow hoof health
• Train staff on animal care procedure required during daily chores

Milking operations

• Transition milking herd to newly constructed, swing 12 cow milking parlor, summer of 2026
• Supervising milking procedures, ensuring proper hygiene and equipment sanitation
• Monitoring milk quality and addressing issues
• Maintaining accurate milk recording and reporting systems
• Milk 6-8 shifts per week
• Managing staff schedules, and trainings
• Keeping detailed records of herd health, production, and breeding data
• Work closely with farm owner regarding herd performance and goals
• Work closely with veterinarians for herd health consultation
• Work with creamery manager to manage milk production for creamery needs
• Work in the creamery 2 days a week helping pack cheese
• Work closely with farm owner to ensure 24 hr/7 days a week on call coverage for calvings, breedings, covering shifts for employees who call out sick, and other on farm emergencies.

Helpful Experience

• Dairy farming and milking
• Food safety and sanitation
• Organic compliance
• Training and managing a team
• Use of large equipment (tractor, skid steer, etc)

Required skills

• Timeliness and reliability
• Ability to work independently and on a team
• Responsive to feedback and committed to maintaining a positive workspace
• Ability to lift and carry 60 lbs multiple times throughout the work day
• Drivers license and reliable transportation
• Willingness to follow and execute a training program to ensure all staff are up to date on daily processes

Compensation
Pay based on experience ($18 - $20 per hour)

• Pay based on experience ($18 - $20 per hour)
  • Hourly pay plus food benefits and free housing/utilities = approx $35 per hour
• Milk, cheese, yogurt and beef benefits
• Housing in 2 bedroom Farm House located on the Farm
• 2 days off per week
• PTO bank after 1 year of employment

To apply, please email Paul at [email protected] with cover letter and resume.

Kingdom Creamery of Vermont, a growing multi-generation family-owned dairy and ice cream company, is seeking a dependable and detail-oriented Dairy Production Assistant to join our production team.

Pay: Starting at $18/hour, commensurate with experience
Schedule: Full-time, 4–5 days/week; overtime after 40 hours; some weekends during busy season

Benefits (after 6-month probation):
Paid vacation and sick time, health insurance, retirement benefits

Responsibilities

• Assist in processing, packaging, and order fulfillment of dairy products

• Operate production equipment following food safety and quality standards

• Maintain clean, safe, and organized work areas

• Work collaboratively to meet daily production goals

• Interact professionally with coworkers, customers, vendors, and distributors

Qualifications

• Reliable, accountable, and self-motivated

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment

• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods

• Food processing experience preferred; willing to train the right candidate

Growth

Training provided with opportunities for advancement in pay and professional development.

We live on a 240 acre mostly wooded hill farm with our animals in rural Vershire, Vermont. We have about 20 acres of open land with the potential of opening up more acreage. We are looking for other farmers to farm here with us in this wild, magical, pristine place, with an openness and sensitivity to being guided by the spirits and beings of this land as we go. Our long time goal has been to create a community farm and host community events, and so we are calling in the right people who are aligned to join us and interested in being part of such a vision, with both space for personal endeavors and collective ones. 

Ideally, we wish to find self-aware, sober, practical, hard working people with direct, honest communication skills, who are committed to taking personal responsibility, and we intend to do the same. We are open to having some animals move here, and we would like support with our animal chores sometimes and happy to offer animal help as well. We would like people who are gentle, kind and quiet with animals, while being able to be assertive and hold a firm presence as needed. We also could use help with haying, building repairs, and this and that as we go. Interest in or experience  milking cows is a bonus as is any horse experience. Physical strength and interest in or skill in carpentry and logging also appreciated. 

We understand the need to have personal space and autonomy in one’s ventures, and we intend to find ways to honor that, as long as the ventures align with the overarching ethics of our farm. Ideally, we would like people who are curious to be committed in a long term way. After a year, if it feels like a good fit, we can begin to explore more long term ownership options, and how to structure an eco community farm. 

We live in a quiet end of the road setting, and thus we have to really like each other in order to make this work. We are committed to being organic, we are guided by permaculture principles and are curious about biodynamic practices. We are very much guided by our hearts and our family values, and also highly value our privacy. We have a ten year old farm boy son who will also want to be part of your life. This farm has so much potential and so many avenues to develop, we have been worn down by the need for more hands and people passionate about farming and being close with nature.

Vershire can be an isolated place to live, depending on one’s temperament.