Evermeadow Farm in Cobourg, Ontario is seeking a Field Operations Lead!
ABOUT Evermeadow Farm
Evermeadow is a regenerative, pasture-based livestock farm in the rolling hills of Northumberland County. Though building our agricultural enterprise is our current focus, Evermeadow Farm is a part of a larger ecological land management project aimed a restoring ecological resilience and diversity in our farm and the surrounding region.
We are presently building the infrastructure, market, soil fertility, and production capacity that will eventually allow us to perform large scale landscape rehabilitation.
We work with animals that contribute to our ecological vision by exercising their innate instincts, while also providing ethical and nutritious food for our community. Our hens scratch up compacted soil and spread seed and fertile manure; our sheep manage the grass, distribute nutrients, and build soil; our pigs recycle waste nutrients and disturb the soil to prepare for re-seeding pastures; and our broiler chickens bring fertility into the farm as they move daily across the landscape.
In 2022 we will build on last year’s major expansions and consolidate and streamline our systems in preparation for future growth.
Depending on funding and timing, we may initiate the first wave of a series of large scale silvo-pasture tree planting campaigns in the Fall.
We sell our products directly from our farm gate, through local direct-market REKO networks, and at local farmer’s markets.
Our mission is to operate an ecologically restorative farm that:
1. Provides premium, nutritious, ethical, and ecologically beneficial food for our communities;
2. Increases the biodiversity and productivity of the land we manage;
3. Fosters land-based lifeways as alternatives to extractive and unsustainable production and consumption patterns.
DESIRED QUALITIES
• Detail oriented, meticulous, and fastidious. This job requires careful observation, adjustment, repetition, monitoring, and precision. Our business and thousands of animals’ lives depend on your accuracy, consistency, and diligence.
• Self-motivated and task oriented (ie: not deadline oriented) – we need someone who is proactive and eager to execute necessary tasks without extensive oversight.
• Confident and empowered but ALSO able to take instruction and correction – a key attribute.
• At least 1 season working on a farm with livestock is ideal, but not absolutely necessary.
• Experience and skill with basic carpentry, plumbing, and other manual trades is strongly preferred.
• Good writing, editing, and record keeping skills.
• Comfortable driving vehicles including 1-ton trucks, skid steers. Ideally you will be experienced driving with trailers, including reversing.
• Posses some fundamental knowledge and understanding of food economy and food security/justice issues.
• Ecologically literate – knowledge of the roles different organisms play within ecosystems.
• Familiar with some of the conversations in the regenerative agriculture space and/or willing to pursue further learning and reading of agricultural literature.
• Excited to work with all aspects of livestock: manure and other fluids, birthing, death, sickness, aggressive animals etc.
• A strong desire to effect positive change and resilience through the nitty gritty hard work of integrating food production and ecological restoration.
• Emotionally self-aware and willing to learn and grow.
JOB TASKS
The role will involve a rich variety of activities encompassing the full range of field operations on a functioning, start-up regenerative livestock farm.
The successful candidate will be responsible for managing most day-to-day field operations of the farm, including but not limited to:
• feeding and managing animals including meat chickens, hens, pigs, and sheep
• building and moving fences
• hauling feed and water
• maintaining and building diverse farm infrastructure
• meticulous record keeping and ensuring regulatory compliance
• environmental and ecosystem health monitoring
• silviculture and forestry work: cutting trees and brush, planting trees and shrubs etc.
• loading animals destined for processing
• helping with inventory management and order preparation
While expected to work self-sufficiently, the candidate will be provided comprehensive training and a clear Standard Operating Procedures Manual, and will enjoy the ongoing support and daily collaboration with owner-operators Josh and Janita.
Examples of Specific Skills and Responsibilities:
• Driving UTV, truck, SUV, trailers, and other vehicles to transport feed, water, live animals, and finished product.
• Helping to build infrastructure like sheds, water systems, pens etc.
• Moving electric fencing daily to rotate animals to new paddocks as part of our rotational grazing system.
• Working with broiler chickens from chicks through to maturity and processing, including tending chicks, moving large pasture pens (prairie schooner style) daily and picking chickens on processing days.
• Working sheep: lambing, nail trimming, vaccinations, health checks etc.
• Servicing the Eggmobile with feed and water; collecting and washing eggs.
• Tending to and moving our herd(s) of pastured heritage pigs (and ensuring no escapes!).
• Keeping detailed records of production variables and data as well as collecting information through soil and plant sampling, mapping, and photo documentation.
• Reading, remembering, and complying with all relevant regulation with respect to animal care, bio-security, and Standard Operating Procedures.
JOB DETAILS
Term: April start until December. Potential for continuing on with reduced hours through the winter and restarting full time work in April 2023. Ideally this IS a permanent position.
Hours and Schedule:
• April will be a training and preparation month, 4-5 days a week, approximately 35-40 hours per week.
• May-Early August are our busiest months and will require 5-6 days a week, approximately 40-55 hours per week.
• Late August to October are somewhat slower, and will require 5 days a week, approximately 40 hours.
• November and early December are slower still, requiring 3-4 days a week, 30-40 hours.
Wage: 8 month salary of $24,0000 – $30,000 ($18.50-$23.00/hour equivalent) paid monthly, depending on qualifications and experience, with opportunities for professional development, and the opportunity to build equity by starting new complimentary enterprises on the farm.
Additional perks include daily meals, access to our large garden, paid time off.
We are accepting applications from local (Northumberland) candidates with their own transportation as well as candidates seeking accommodation.
We have a room available for rent in our home, a cozy brick bungalow with a spacious yard adjacent to the farmstead and fields. The room is fully furnished and includes a large closet and two windows overlooking the yard. We will charge less than market rate for the rental of the room, utilities, and food/board if you choose the accommodation option.
All meals will be included. We grow an abundance of vegetables in our large family (non-commercial) garden and eat very nutritious, protein rich meals through the year.
Living arrangements will be discussed more in detail in the interview phase of the application.
TO APPLY
Send detailed CV/resume and cover letter with work and other related experience and at least 2 references to info@evermeadow.ca by February 21, 2022. Only applicants chosen for a phone/video interview will be contacted.
Deadline to apply: February 21
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT Evermeadow Farm
Website: www.evermeadow.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evermeadowfarm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evermeadowfarm/
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