Rock’s End Farm in Farrellton, Quebec is seeking a Regenerative Grazing Assistant!
ABOUT Rock’s End Farm
Rock’s End Farm is a 300-acre, certified organic farm located in the heart of the Gatineau Hills in west Quebec. We raise Icelandic sheep for wool and meat, beef cattle, pastured pork, pastured poultry, and horses. This job is a great opportunity for somebody looking to deepen their knowledge of livestock management, grazing management, grazing systems development, transformation of livestock products (meats/wool) and direct-to-consumer marketing channels.
You can read more about our farm on our website or check out our farm Facebook and Instagram accounts using the link at the end of this job posting.
We use regenerative and organic practices to ensure that our farm enhances water quality, biodiversity, and soil health. We use multi-paddock adaptive grazing management and incorporate silvopasture into our grazing system. We are active in on-farm environmental initiatives. We provide our products to the public via farmgate sales, home-delivery, and sales at the farmers’ market and craft fairs. We also host a number of on-farm events, tours, and workshops.
Our farm is a lively environment rich in learning opportunities and collaborative endeavours. Through partnerships, we work together with other local farmers to create a more resilient local agricultural economy. You will have the chance to participate in monthly regional grazing tours and farmer-to-farmer learning opportunities on other area farms as well as to make use of our extensive library of resources on regenerative farming.
DESIRED QUALITIES
We are looking for somebody who is/has/can:
- self-motivated
- independent worker with a high level of personal integrity
- a desire and the motivation to work hard and develop their skills in regenerative agriculture
- previous farming experience or directly relevant outdoor work experience
- a high level of personal integrity, responsibility for self, and a strong work ethic
- capable of working independently for long periods of time
- transportation to/from the farm
- can work safely and efficiently with minimal supervision
- prepared to work outside, on rugged terrain, in all weather conditions
- the ability to carry up to 60 lbs
- great organizational and spatial visualization skills
- work well in teams
JOB TASKS
As Regenerative Grazing Assistant, you will spend the majority of your time with the sheep. Your core responsibility will be implementing the grazing rotation for our flock of 90 Icelandic ewes and their lambs. To do this you will learn how to:
- assess the livestock and the pastures in the context of our regenerative farming system.
- “read” what the forage conditions mean about the soil below
- assess the behavior and health of the animals,
- plan in advance for season and weather variability
- adapt to fluctuating production goals (for example, how to manage differently in peak lactation, maintenance, and fattening phases of the livestock)
- plan for future rotations
- manage the grass and the animals in order to achieve optimal health and productivity of both.
We use electric fencing and have pasture water pipeline set up in the majority of our fields. In some cases, we haul water by tractor to areas not yet connected. The terrain on this farm is rough; you’ll use our trusty Mule (side-by-side ATV) to haul materials that you need from paddock to paddock, but you will also spend a good deal of time hiking steep or rocky areas to bring the animals to graze.
You will also help with other farm tasks, including but not limited to assisting with:
- Assisting with additional farm enterprises of cattle, pastured pork, pastured poultry, and horses
- Animal care procedures including spring calving and lambing
- Hay harvest
- Ecological enhancement/restoration projects on the farm
- Installation and maintenance of fencelines
- Installation and maintenance of livestock water system
- Cleaning out winter shelters
- Loading/unloading animals for transport during butcher season
- General farm maintenance and cleanup
- Packing orders and managing inventory
- Customer service at farmers’ markets, farm-gate sales, and on-farm events
- Other tasks suited to you dependent upon your learning goals and previous skills and experience
JOB DETAILS
Term: May 6 – October 26, with the possibility of extension through November.
While the position is seasonal, there are many other local employment opportunities in the off-season, depending on your skills and interests. Year-round on-farm accommodation is available for rent for the right person(s). There are also rental accommodation options in the surrounding community.
Hours per week: This position is for 20 hours per week.
We will facilitate connections with neighbouring farms so that you can count on full-time, full-season employment. There are a number of options depending on your skills and interests. We will work together with them to make sure that the overall employment package works for all.
Wage: Our rate of pay is $17-20 per hour depending on experience.
TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter to erin@RocksEndFarm.ca outlining why you would like to work for us and how you meet the qualifications.
Rock’s End Farm practices employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. We embrace diversity in all its forms and commit to maintaining a work environment that is welcoming for all.
This job has is conditional on funding from Agriculture Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Program and as such, candidates should indicate if they are:
- Between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment;
- A Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or refugee; and
- Legally entitled to work in Canada.
Deadline to apply: Please apply before February 16
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT Rock’s End Farm
Website: https://www.rocksendfarm.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RocksEndFarm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocksendfarm/
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