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Recruiting for Fall Livestock Assistant

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Seasonal LIVESTOCK Assistant

SEASONAL LIVESTOCK ASSISTANT

2024 Season, FALL ONLY (Sept-Nov)

We are seeking a Seasonal LIVESTOCK Farm Assistant for the upcoming 2024 season (April - October).

Are you passionate about pasture-based livestock farming? We manage over 150 acres within 12 miles of Boston and grow a variety of livestock on open pastures using rotational grazing systems.

Codman Community Farms (CCF) is a working farm in the heart of Lincoln, located adjacent to the commuter rail. We steward over 150 acres of land within the town of Lincoln and manage an 18-acre home farm that includes historic barns, greenhouses, community garden plots, pastures, and a thriving market garden. CCF is growing its sustainable farming programs and seeks individuals interested in learning and growing with the farm.

The seasonal livestock assistant participates in all aspects of growing and caring for our livestock and will also help tend our market garden. This is a great opportunity for someone interested in learning about running a diversified pasture-based livestock farm with an interest in learning about vegetable production and no-till market garden growing methods.

Our livestock component includes almost 40 head of 100% grass-fed Red Devon cattle, 6000 pasture-raised meat chickens, 1300-2000 egg-laying hens, 350 turkeys, 100-150 pigs, and some minor stock, including goats, and sheep. Our 2-acre market garden is expanding and includes a greenhouse and two high tunnels for season extension. We use organic growing practices but are not certified organic.

We work hard and smart using many innovative and creative systems to grow our livestock the best way we know how while giving our critters the best quality of life possible. Our animals are moved daily and weekly and building pasture quality is of utmost importance to us. While working with us you will gain many valuable skills including the understanding of how to efficiently and profitably run a diversified pasture-based livestock farm in a semi-rural area on fields scattered through town.

We are seeking a full-time seasonal staff member for the 2024 growing season which is April - early November. The Farm Assistant will work with the Livestock Managers and Farm Manager and other staff in raising and caring for our diversified livestock in one of the largest livestock farms in the Boston metro area.

Daily farm work includes training in the following areas:

Daily work includes caring for all livestock including chickens, pigs, turkeys, lambs, and cattle located on remote pastures
Feeding, watering, observing, and moving animals through pastures.
Driving small tractors to move coops and other infrastructure through fields
Collecting eggs and moving our pastured hens to fresh grass, daily
Planting, weeding, and harvesting vegetables and fruits, as needed
Using gas-powered machines to pump water and mow, wack, cut, and otherwise maintain growing vegetation on the farm.
Setting up, maintaining, and frequently moving of our many portable electric fences.
Interacting with volunteers and the public

Skills and Qualifications:

1-year of experience in livestock or vegetable farming is a plus.
Passion for working with animals
Positive attitude, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn and take direction
Excellent verbal communication skills and follow-through
Creative problem-solving skills
An appreciation of the roles speed and efficiency play in creating an economically viable farm
The ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly is required
Ability to operate power tools and mechanical equipment safely
Willingness to work long hours in all weather conditions

Tractor experience is a plus but not required.

General carpentry and handiness a plus
A valid driver's license with a clean driving record required
Experience driving pick-up trucks and small trailers a plus
Must pass a CORI background check

Work Schedule:

Seasonal full-time position from April - early November.
Five days per week, 8-10 hours per day.
Occasional weekend or evening work required

Compensation:

Hourly pay, depending on experience, $17hr+
Season-end bonus opportunity for staying until early November.
Workers compensation provided
Free eggs, garden produce, and a 20% discount in our Farm Store
Housing is not available.

To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to: pete@codmanfarm.org.

--

Pete Lowy

Farm Manager

Codman Community Farms

Cell - 978-835-5641

pete@codmanfarm.org

www,codmancommunityfarms.org

NOW HIRING: FARM STORE ASSOCIATE(s)

Background

Located in the heart of Lincoln, MA Codman Community Farms (CCF) is a 501c3 non-profit founded in 1973 with the mission to operate a working farm that preserves Lincoln’s rural character by highlighting the importance of local farming and local food and inviting community involvement through educational opportunities and events. The farm is located along the commuter rail line and is less than 20 miles from Boston. consists of an 18-acre farmstead complex with historic barns, outbuildings, farm housing, community garden plots, orchard, and fields as well as over 120 acres of privately owned or town-conserved farmland located throughout the town of Lincoln.

Over its 45 years, CCF’s farm programs and community activities have gradually evolved and grown from a seasonal initiative to a year-round production farm that now raises 100% grass-fed Red Devon cattle, pasture-raised livestock including pigs, laying hens, meat chickens, turkeys, and lambs as well as a growing vegetable and fruit market garden. In early 2021 our new on-site commercial kitchen will be completed further enhancing our ability to educate and inform our community about local foods. The farm markets and sells most of what is grown and raised through the on-site Farm Store.

Job Description

CCF is seeking FARM STORE ASSOCIATES. These positions will be responsible for maintaining a clean and fully stocked Farm Store. Our farm store is a unique self-serve model that is open 24/7, 365 days per year so our customers can enjoy the freedom of shopping for local foods any time of day or night.

Farm Store Associates are responsible for providing a clean, informative, and well-stocked store to meet the growing demand for our farm-grown proteins and locally grown and produced food items. The position is ideal for a self-starter who has a passion for local food and farming, enjoys cooking and the culinary arts is detail-oriented, organized, tidy, and enjoys interacting with customers in a fast-paced environment.

We are seeking weekend and weekday coverage.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Organizing and Stocking of the Farm Store

Stocking duties include pricing, bagging, and organizing all products in our retail freezers, reach-in coolers, and pantry shelves.

Receiving shipments, organizing, and managing the receiving and inventory areas.
Prepping, bagging, and pricing of bulk vegetables for retail sale.

Assisting with product Ordering and Inventory Management

Maintaining relationships with vendors, monitoring inventory, and helping to place weekly orders of products, as needed.
Receiving of products in good order and entering them into inventory.
Creating and maintaining accurate and up-to-date labels for all retail products
Communicating with management, vendors, and customers regarding product availability and/or quality concerns.

Customer Experience

Maintaining orderliness of farm store, coolers, product displays, and shopping aids.
Assisting customers on our ECRS Point of Sale System
Ensure that floors, shelves, restrooms, and public spaces in and around the farm store are neat, clean/sanitary, safe, and inviting.

Job Requirements and Qualifications:

Passion for farming, sustainability, the outdoors, and eating local!
Strong work ethic and a self-starter;
Detail-oriented and ability to maintain a clean and organized workspace;
Customer service experience required;
Excellent communication, organizational, and writing skills;
Friendly, personable, and able to solve problems and recommend solutions;
Ability to repeatedly lift 50lbs;
Ability to work in extreme weather conditions (hot, cold);
Ability to stand for long periods of time, work quickly and efficiently, and maintain a robust pace;
Ability to learn new software systems and demonstrate proficiency after training;
Ability to pass a CORI background check; clean driving record.
Ability to work on weekends.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary based on experience (range $16/hour+, depending on experience). Hours are varied.
Possibly eligibility to participate in our 403(b) retirement plan, depending on hours worked.
Additional benefits for full-time staff, include paid vacation, based on the number of hours worked per week, and access to free eggs.
Possible opportunities for advancement to full-time, management position

Please send your resume, and cover letter, along with three professional references to pete@codmanfarm.org to apply. We will contact you shortly if you are selected for an interview.

58 Codman Road, Lincoln, MA 01773