Livestock and Crops Crew Wanted in New York

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Taylor in Animal Husbandry, Employment, Farming, Livestock // 0 Comments

Seasonal Livestock and Crops Crew Member Job at Harlem Valley Homestead in New York’s Hudson Valley – 2021

About Harlem Valley Homestead

Harlem Valley Homestead is a hospitality-focused, diversified vegetable, flower and livestock farm on 250 acres in Wingdale, NY. Our mission is to deepen our connections to place, to each other, and to ourselves, through hands-on learning and experience in rural and agrarian living. We maintain 50 acres in pasture, 1.5 acres of intensive crop production, and 5 acres in cover crop for future production. Current enterprises include beef cattle, layer chickens, feeder pigs, vegetables, fruit, cut flowers, mushrooms, and a modest apiary. While we are not certified, we
adhere to organic practices. We are currently experiencing a dynamic stage of growth as we establish the foundation of our farm and work towards our future of hosting overnight guests. To learn more about our future goals, please visit our website: www.harlemvalleyhomestead.com.

Livestock and Crops Crew Job Summary

We are looking for 1-2 people to join our crew for the 2021 growing season with combined responsibilities in livestock and crop production. Livestock crew members will be responsible for all aspects of animal husbandry, including but not limited to: set up and take down of temporary electric fence, executing rotational grazing plans, daily chores, animal handling, livestock transport, meat inventory management, equipment maintenance, as well as assisting in herd health checks and breeding. For the 2021 season, we will have about 40 head of cattle (mixed
breeding herd), 40 feeder pigs, and 100 layer hens. While primary responsibilities will be livestock-focused, Harlem Valley Homestead is a diversified operation and livestock crew members will be expected to learn basic crop competencies and jump in on some weekly tasks like harvest, wash and pack, and other field work as needed.

The division between time spent on livestock versus crops will vary weekly, with some weeks being heavily livestock-focused and some weeks requiring more crops involvement. Additional weekly tasks may include fencework
(semi-permanent and perimeter), water line repair, mushroom cultivation, farmers’ market sales, and hospitality support. Crew members will receive proper safety training for all areas of responsibility and will be required to participate in other mandatory trainings.

Positive attitude, flexibility, self-motivation, a sense of humor and a collaborative spirit are a must. Crew members must love physical labor, keep up a rigorous pace, and be willing to work in all weather conditions while maintaining a positive attitude. If you like to ask questions, love to learn on the job and are excited to work with a dynamic team in a startup environment, then join us! Previous farming experience is helpful, but we are willing to train the right candidate.

Livestock and Crops Crew Job Responsibilities

All aspects of animal husbandry, including but not limited to: set up and take down of temporary electric fence, executing rotational grazing plans, daily chores, animal handling, livestock transport, meat inventory management, equipment maintenance, as well as assisting in cattle health checks and breeding
Harvesting, washing and packing produce and other farm products for CSA and farmers’ market(s)
Supporting intensive crop production as needed, including but not limited to: trellising, weeding, cultivation, and planting
Selling product at market while educating customers on farm practices and products
Interacting in a friendly and informative manner with on-site guests
Additional duties may include work in honey production, mushroom cultivation, perennial crops such as hops and orchards, hospitality support, on-farm programming, and other enterprises as needed

Requirements and Qualifications

Availability from mid-March through Thanksgiving
40-50 hours per week, fluctuating seasonally, with reduced hours in the shoulder seasons
Availability and willingness to work weekends for chores, markets and/or events
Clean driving record and valid driver’s license for farmers markets and deliveries
Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions while maintaining a positive attitude
Willingness to drive vehicles (large pick up, box truck, and/or van) to and from markets as far away as Westchester county
Ability to drive a livestock trailer or willingness to learn
Respect for safety guidelines and willing to follow safety procedures (including COVID protocol)
Ability to lift 50 lbs safely and repeatedly
Ability to work efficiently, independently, and cooperatively as a member of a small team
Punctuality and reliability are essential
Some livestock experience preferred, but we are open to training motivated individuals
Background check and pre-employment physical (paid for by HVH) required prior to employment

Compensation and Benefits

Limited on-site housing available along the beautiful Ten Mile River
$15 / hour without housing, $12 / hour with housing
PTO (Paid time Off)
Access to surplus produce when available and staff discount on most farm product
C.R.A.F.T. (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) membership with the opportunity to visit regional farms
Work with a dynamic team of educators, farmers, cooks, conservationists and naturalists
Participation in on-farm educational workshops and community events (COVID dependent)
Training will be provided for all tasks and equipment as needed, and may include: hand tools developed for intensive vegetable production, livestock trailer, tractor, skid steer, BCS and other small engine equipment

To Apply for a Livestock and Crops Crew Job

Please note that this job description is not comprehensive. Activities, duties and/or responsibilities may change at any time. If you think Harlem Valley Homestead might be a good fit for you, we encourage you to apply by emailing the following information to jobs@harlemvalleyhomestead.com. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If we think you might be a good fit, we will contact you to set up a phone interview followed by a farm visit or video interview (depending on applicant distance and covid feasibility).

1) Please answer the following questions:

Tell us a little about yourself! What is your background? Interests? What are your long-term farming goals?
Why do you think Harlem Valley Homestead is a good fit for you?
How would you describe your relationship with animals?
What is your experience with outdoor, physical labor? If experience is limited, are you capable of working 40-50 hours outdoors in all weather conditions?
How would you describe your ideal working environment? What motivates you to work quickly and efficiently? How do you best learn new concepts and skills?
Are you willing and able to work weekends?

2) Please provide a resume.

3) Please provide three references who could speak to your learning and working style. Farming or other physical labor-related references prefered, if applicable.

At Harlem Valley Homestead we believe it is the collective sum of our individual differences that make us stronger as a whole. Harlem Valley Homestead is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion and connectedness to each other and to the land. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, culture & ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, and all other protected classes.

We publicly affirm our ongoing commitment to becoming an anti-racist organization and that our anti-racism commitment be reflected in the life and culture of our policies, programs and hiring practices as we continue to learn about bias and racism.