Root Down Farm is a queer-owned pasture based poultry & pig operation located in beautiful Pescadero, California. We focus on humanely raising chickens, turkeys, ducks and pigs through rotational grazing & foraging, while improving our soils and increasing biodiversity. We see ourselves as stewards of the land and use the natural behaviors of our animals to create healthy soil while producing honest meat.
Root Down Farm is beginning its ninth season and is looking for a motivated and committed full time individual to join our team for at least one year (Full time schedule is Friday – Tuesday). The ideal candidate will have farming or ranching experience, livestock experience (not necessary, will train), able to lift 50+ pounds, very queer friendly, be a hard worker with grit, detail oriented and eager to learn all production aspects of our humane pasture-based livestock and orchard operation. On-farm housing available.
Job responsibilities will include (but definitely not limited to)
observation, feeding, watering & caring of chicks in brooders
observation, feeding, watering & caring of chickens, turkeys, ducks and pigs on pasture
Daily & weekly moving of poultry houses and pigs
Maintenance/repair of automated watering, electric fences, chargers, feeders, hoses, etc.
Picking up chicks from post office or airport and unpacking them into brooder
Regular cleaning of brooders and coops
Weed whacking & mowing of fence-lines and other general landscape maintenance
Daily gopher trapping and seasonal orchard pruning, weeding & irrigating
Crating/loading of animals for transport
Qualifications & Skills:
Ability to work physically demanding days in different types of weather
Calm demeanor and body awareness
Work thoroughly and efficiently individually and as a team member
Understanding that farming is the blend of being thorough and efficient at all times
Provide own transportation and valid driver’s license
Ability to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis and repeatedly
Ability to communicate clearly and listen to instruction and carry out instruction
Ability and self-empowerment to recognize a problem and how best to solve it
Ability to trouble shoot and problem solve independently
Ability to work weekends and some evenings
Ability to know when to ask for help to ensure personal and livestock safety
Mental flexibility to handle difficult and repeated tasks
Additional Desired (but not required) Qualifications
Experience driving tractor
Proficient in speaking Spanish
Comfortable interacting with animals as well as humans
Experience in driving truck with trailer
Experience and comfort with power tools and light carpentry
Experience or strong interest in pasture management
Additional Important Information
This position is important for Root Down Farm because as the farm continues to grow it is essential to have a worker live on the farm (in addition to the farm owner). This position therefore requires living in private housing on-farm and sharing space (kitchen, shower) with queer and trans individuals that have lived here for multiple years. You absolutely must be comfortable with this situation, be able to communicate very clearly and considerately and be completely respectful of each individual.
Compensation:
Hourly pay dependent on experience, wage review after 6 months
Free and discounted chicken, duck, pork
Private housing available for rent with shared kitchen, shower
To Apply:
Please send letter of interest stating:
-past relevant experience, including responsibilities and skills
-other related and non-related skills
AND two employment references to: dede@rootdownfarm.org