About the Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic, collaborative, and skilled individual to join our team as a Regenerative Farmer. The ideal candidate has at least some experience working in all three areas of the farm’s focus–vegetable, silvopasture and livestock production. We are currently seeking those with livestock and/or agroforestry/orchard experience. Two years management experience in one of those two areas is required, and the primary duties of the position will be tailored to match the farmer’s main area of expertise. No matter the experience level in a particular area, the Regenerative Farmer leads activities in all three production areas, training co-workers, interns and volunteers to assist with daily tasks. They develop efficient workflows, implement clear and transparent operational procedures, and promote a safe and enjoyable work environment for all staff and guests.
Compensation & Benefits
The Regenerative Farmer position is a full-time (35-50 hours) position with hourly pay commensurate with experience starting at $22/hour. This position includes full benefits of 401k; health insurance; generous PTO & paid vacation days and more sick days than NYS standards as well as access to farm goods via our employee food program and a farm shop discount. Weekend work is needed during the summer as well as increased hours. Flexibility is required depending on the weather and workload.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Orchard Focus
Crops include apples, pears, plums, peaches, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, chestnuts, hazelnuts, aronia, elderberries, persimmons, pawpaws, mulberries, hardy kiwi, currants/gooseberries and beach plums. 2024 will be our fifth growing season; not everything is fruiting yet. The orchard is widely-spaced to allow for sheep to graze between the rows. We have blocks of small shrubby trees planted for sheep fodder in between the orchard rows.
Plant, weed, irrigate, mulch, prune/trellis, fertilize, manage pests and diseases, harvest, and propagate orchard trees
Maintain records, create and document procedures
Maintain and enhance habitat for beneficial wildlife as part of a conservation biocontrol strategy
Coordinate harvests with the farm stand and distillery
Propose and install new orchard rows
Assist with livestock chores: feeding, watering, cleaning, fencing, rotating animal groups, collecting and washing eggs
Assist with crop production: tarp, turn, amend beds; seed, transplant, irrigate, weed, fertilize, manage pests and diseases of crops
Create tasks that are appropriate for volunteers, and oversee those tasks
Ensure proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies–strive to leave it more orderly than you found it
Promote continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices
Operate tractors and equipment safely and effectively
Represent the organization in a professional manner at all times
Perform additional job-related duties as assigned
Livestock Focus
Sheep: 17 Karakuls, which we shear twice per year. The fiber is processed and sold at our farm stand. We are working towards milking them to produce aged cheese and yogurt and are interested in growing the herd as the land permits.
Hens: 500 laying hens rotationally grazing in the orchards. We sell their eggs at the farm stand.
Meat Birds: We raise several rounds of meat birds and our goal is to improve the efficiency of that operation.
Daily choring of all livestock including feeding, watering, fencing and rotating groups, egg collecting and washing
Maintain herd/flock health, including preventative care
Develop and execute rotational grazing/pasture management plans
Co-manage silvopasture trees: weeding, planting, irrigating and tubing
Create training protocols and SOPs to educate other staff and volunteers about how to care for the animals
Maintain records, track inventory, and help plan plan for improvements and future enterprises
Assist with crop production: tarp, turn, amend beds; seed, transplant, irrigate, weed, fertilize, manage pests and diseases of crops
Assist with orcharding: plant, weed, irrigate, mulch, prune/trellis, fertilize, manage pests and diseases, harvest, and propagate orchard trees
Create tasks that are appropriate for volunteers, and oversee those tasks
Ensure proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies–strive to leave it more orderly than you found it
Promote continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices
Operate tractors and equipment safely and effectively
Represent the organization in a professional manner at all times
Perform additional job-related duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
Demonstrated success and fluency in the management of a tree-based farm ecosystem for a minimum of 2 full seasons, and/or
Demonstrated success and fluency in the management of livestock enterprises for a minimum of 2 full seasons
Experience with upkeep and maintenance of facilities and farm equipment
Mechanical and technical ability to troubleshoot issues with equipment, irrigation, and infrastructure
Experience with GAP, pesticide applications, organic certification, soil health, and other production related documentation
Strong communication, listening, and interpersonal skills
Equal Opportunity Employer
AOOA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of employment. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and strive to create a supportive and inclusive work environment for all employees.
To Apply
Please send us a resume and cover letter describing your interest in the position to Farm Manger Matt Celona at matt@alloneoneall.com