Dairy Team Lead

Dairy Team Lead:

We are seeking a well rounded individual committed to pursuing farming as a life path, interested in deepening their relationship to the craft of agriculture through practical experience and willingness to learn and integrate Light Root Community Farm’s systems and values into the daily work.

The ideal candidate for this position values a diverse farm operation which is designed to support the greater social mission and the educational and therapeutic programming offered on the farm. This position is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the dairy and raw milk production, participating in some general farm chores and assisting with community farm programming in the dairy and on the farm. This includes daily milking routines, milk barn and milk house cleaning procedures, bottling and raw milk quality control, pastured laying flock chores and egg handling, calf care and livestock chores, and occasional garden work and maintenance. This position will work closely with farm managers on herd breeding plans, cow health and wellness, calf management, winter feeding systems, and seasonal grazing plan implementation. While daily milking routines and raw milk bottling and handling are the main focus of this position the ideal candidate is interested in participating in a variety of work tasks that support the health and needs of the whole farm system.

As a working farm with a commitment to a social and educational mission, Light Root Community Farm hosts farm tours, summer camps and education programs, and has a regular public interface through our Herd share program. We are looking for a candidate who brings enthusiasm and engagement to assisting with the farm’s social/educational programs as well as the daily work and routines of the farm.

General responsibilities:

• 5-6 morning milking shifts/week
• Thorough daily Milk Barn clean up & Milk House cleaning management
• Follow detailed SOP for raw milk bottling procedures 3-4 days a week
• Stocking Farm store with milk and washing return milk jars (commercial dishwasher)
• Assist with farm/dairy education programs Summer camp programs
• Cow heat tracking for breeding
• Holistic Herd health management, (will train to LRCF’s methods)
• Assist Chicken chores and egg handling
• Regular communication & collaboration with Farm Managers
• General dairy record keeping–milk production, breeding, health records
• Assistance with general livestock chores–mucking bedding pens, watering livestock, feeding
• Calf feeding and handling
• Assist with implementation of seasonal grazing plan

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Qualifications:

• Ability tolift 50 pounds on a regular basis (this position requires a lot of lifting daily–milk buckets, coolers with milk jars, hay ect.)
• 1 year prior experience in Farming
• 1 year prior experience milking dairy cows
• Excellent communication skills
• Positive attitude and team player
• Good personal hygiene–raw milk bottling procedures require clean handling
• Timeliness, Reliability, and Flexibility to changing needs of the farm
• Reliable personal transportation to get back and forth to the farm; valid driver's license
• Love for cows and dairy!

Season: Year Round Position; applications accepted on a rolling basis until we find the best candidate. Ideal start for position summer/fall 2024.

Pay/Compensation: Starting $20-25/hr DOE. Weekly share of milk and eggs; Accrue up to 5 paid sick days/year workers compensation

Schedule: 5-6 days a week, will include some weekend; 35 to 45 hours/week depending on the time of year.

Farm Housing Available: Light Root Community Farm offers the option for farm staff and interns to rent space in a cozy and spacious 3 bedroom bungalow located 4 miles from the farm on the east edge of Boulder surrounded by open space and beautiful mountain views. Rent is affordable for farm staff and is an easy commute for regular back and forth treks to the farm.

*This farm position is for an individual, but we would be open to a farm couple joining our team that shares the values of Light Root Community Farm. Additional farm work could be available for the right candidates with experience, this might include–garden work and programming, small livestock management, field and crop irrigation, and grazing implementation.

Farming is an act of Service! If you are inspired to participate in this service work of land stewardship, sacred animal husbandry, and community renewal please apply!

To Apply Please Send your Resume and 3 recent work references to: lightrootfarm@gmail.com

*If you are interested in farm housing options please note that in your email

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $25