Assistant Livestock Manager (Philo Ridge Farm)

With guidance from the Land and Livestock Manager, the Assistant Livestock Manager will be responsible for the general care and management of livestock and livestock infrastructure on the farm. Additionally, they will support all farm operations, including forage maintenance, seasonal hay production, livestock husbandry, compost production, mushroom production, building and grounds maintenance, and other designated farm related activities. Workload and tasks will change depending on the season. The livestock management includes 85 Belted Galloway cattle, 4 to 5 thousand broilers through the growing season, two mobile layer houses, 60 rotationally grazed pigs, and 100 sheep.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, self-starter who is passionate about sustainable livestock farming and shares Philo Ridge Farm’s dedication to the ecological sustainability of the land. We practice management intensive rotational grazing. At our heart, we are grass farmers who are trying to produce healthy swards of diverse grass and legume species while using livestock in a management intensive system to increase soil fertility and carbon retention in the plants and soil.

Responsibilities

Farm Operations:

• Manage the daily rotational grazing plan for cattle, sheep, pigs, layers, and broilers
• Manage morning and afternoon livestock chore routines
• Manage fence & water infrastructure including quicknets, polywire, high tensile perimeters
• Assist with lambing, calving, brooder management
• Assist with brooder responsibilities, daily poultry moves, and on farm poultry processing
• Support general husbandry duties for all livestock
• Assist with building soil fertility strategies by applying good management techniques to on-farm waste streams while maintaining records for Nutrient Management Plans
• Assist in developing and managing forage production, grazing plans, and grazing records
• Manage on farm mushroom production

Infrastructure & Equipment:

• Operate on-farm vehicles such as tractors, skid steer, and gators
• Assist with tractor work to manage compost, hay production, and the land
• Assist with poultry production logistics, including chick ordering, scheduling, deliveries, transportations, feed, and nutrition
• Participate in the general maintenance of farm tools, equipment and vehicles as well as concern for the visual presentation of Philo Ridge Farm

Team Management & Administration:

• Work with the Land and Livestock Manager to manage team of six
• Oversee weekend work on the farm
• Assist with data collection, on-farm research projects, and record grazing data

Additional Responsibilities:

• Support special events, farm-to-table dinners, farm lunches, and farm tours
• Manage farm pelt and hide production and assist with the production of wool products
• Manage other tasks as necessary to support livestock and land management operations

Qualifications

• Passion for working with livestock
• Previous experience with ruminant animals and poultry at a production scale
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop strong working relationships across teams
• Interest in supporting research activities related to soil health and ecosystem services
• Experience in managing daily work and livestock schedules
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and a positive attitude
• An interest in developing regenerative agricultural systems
• Self-starter who is able to work independently, and solve problems creatively
• Ability to reliably be on time, proactive, and prepared daily for all duties
• Open to learning new skills for livestock and land management techniques
• Ability to work outside including in adverse weather conditions, and on weekends
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record