Livestock Farmer Job Description
Overview
The Berry Center (TBC) seeks a full time livestock farmer to operate its 200-acre beef cattle and educational farm in Henry County, Kentucky. The selected candidate will have a record of successful managed grazing and livestock husbandry. As a member of the Farm and Forest Institute program staff, duties include all aspects of farm upkeep, record-keeping, and project management as well as carrying out cattle genetics and pasture trials for TBC’s Our Home Place Meat program. The position requires practical farm and maintenance skills, a “whole farm” approach to decision-making, cooperation with a small team, attention to detail, and familiarity with local culture. The selected candidate will coordinate and prepare field days, workshops, and farm visits, so candidates with agricultural education experience are especially encouraged to apply. The Berry Center manages the farm using health as the standard, as found in the work of Wendell Berry.
Email PDF cover letter and resumé, including contact information for 2 references, to shannonboyd@berrycenter.org. Applications accepted through Friday, May 31, 2024 or until the position is filled.
Load
Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week
Compensation
$45,000 - $55,000 annually, determined by qualifications. Housing option is negotiable.
Schedule
Flexible, depending on farm needs
Application
Accepted through May 31, 2024 or until position is filled
Send PDF cover letter, resumé, & contact information for 2 references to shannonboyd@berrycenter.org
Projected Start Date
July 1, 2024
The strong applicant will:
have considerable mid-scale herd and grazing management experience; the ability to work with beef cattle is essential, and sheep experience is a bonus.
have soil fertility management skills.
have substantial experience with farm planning and record keeping.
live close to The Berry Center Farm, located in Port Royal, Kentucky.
be committed to the agrarian principles found in Wendell Berry’s writing.
work well with farmers of diverse backgrounds and production scales and systems.
Other Qualifications
Minimum 5 years livestock farming experience
Highly-skilled operation of a variety of farm equipment (e.g., tractors of various HP and function, chainsaw)
Ability to use low-stress animal care
Farm vehicle maintenance and repair skills
Basic carpentry skills
Farm record keeping skills, including budget management and bookkeeping skills
Physically able to work in the field in all weather conditions and to repeatedly lift at least 50 lbs.
Good communication skills
Self-motivated, cooperative, and flexible
Personal transportation and valid driver’s license
Possess formal agricultural education; TBC is flexible about undergraduate or graduate-level degree completion
Agricultural education teaching experience is a bonus