Assistant Farm Management

Job Description for Position of Assistant Farm Manager, Edgehill Farm

Life on the farm is never dull. Required tasks will change with the seasons and will evolve over time. The below lists can serve to give a clear understanding of many of the tasks our Assistant Farm Manager might be asked to complete over the course of a year.

This position requires an individual well-suited to performing a number of physically challenging tasks. Candidates should be passionate and committed to agriculture, and possess the initiative to tackle jobs that need to be done without requiring explicit instruction. Individuals who do not take initiative to complete tasks until they are asked to do so would not be a good fit for this organization. Agricultural work is subject to the elements and is challenging both mentally and physically. A can-do, positive attitude is absolutely mandatory. Candidates should have significant experience in agriculture and/or animal husbandry. A degree in agricultural science or similar is not necessary, if good working experience is confirmed. At Edgehill, we strive to maintain a 60 day breeding cycle. Individuals with experience in maintaining herds with regular calving seasons would be a good fit. Candidates should be effective communicators (both oral and written), and possess strong math and reasoning skills. The ideal candidate would be interested in a long-term position, and interested in growing in his professional expertise and responsibilities. All candidates should agree to an extensive background check and drug testing if requested, prior to an offer of employment.

Our goal in hiring a new assistant is to enable the farm to improve and expand the existing calf/cow operation, by improving our farm infrastructure (fencing, barns, water systems, grass management/weed control), thereby increasing our field rotation possibilities.

Daily Tasks:

Bushhog fields

Check Calves- Morning ride throughout property to check expectant cows and their newborns.

Rotate Cattle through fields

Accompany Mike and Greg to auction to buy and sell cattled

Mend fences- both barbed wire and high tensil

Accompany Mike and Greg to rental houses to gain a familiarity with the property and how it functions

Maintain Equipment- Small equipment (ex. Chainsaws, lawnmowers and the like) and large equipment (Tractors- oils, fluids, clean filters; Balers; Bushhogs, etc.)

Deal with unexpected events (ex. Power issues, Water issues, Storm damage)

Chainsaw work-- Clearing roads, removing downed trees throughout property, etc.

Clean up Timber Projects-- Consolidate remaining branches and limbs after a timber project into a large mound for future controlled burning

Secure back entrance of farm in evening

Seasonal Tasks:

Make Hay- cut, rake, tether, bale, transport to storage

Install new fencing- Barbed wire and high tensil

Pregnancy check of cows- assist veterinarian (Spring & Fall)

Help with calving- 'catch' calves

Administer Vaccinations to calves

Cut Calves- separate from cow to affect weaning

Spray for weeds around structures and roads

Run off poachers and trespassers

Inspect property after storm or other weather events

Winter Feeding of Cows- Hay bales, mineral

Firewood- cut, split, haul, store, deliver where needed (houses on the farm)

Snow removal- plow roads within the farm