We're hiring!

Livestock Manager

Reports to: Farm Manager

Type: Exempt position

 

Harlem Valley Homestead is a 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. In the future, we will have onsite hospitality with overnight guests, on-site dining, events, and workshops. We are currently under construction as we build infrastructure to support these operations while we continue to operate our farm.

 

This season, we will raise approximately 35 beef cattle and 200 layer chickens on 35 acres of pasture, with plans to grow the size of our herd over the coming years. We also have a market garden with 1.5 acres of vegetable production. In previous years we have raised pigs in our woods, and intend to do so again soon, as well as add small ruminants to our pastures and/or woods. In addition to our pastures, the rest of our property consists of ponds, woods, and wetlands, nestled between the Ten Mile River, Ten Mile Hill, and Gardner Hill. We are five minutes from Metro North (Harlem Valley Wingdale), with lots of fishing, swimming, and hiking in the area.

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JOB SUMMARY

We are looking for an experienced livestock farmer to join our farm operation going into our ninth season. Currently the farm has areas under construction until we open our hospitality business. We are looking for someone who wants to help us grow our livestock operations over the next several years through opening. The ability to pivot and reprioritize as we operate a farm through this period of construction will be essential. 

 

The livestock manager is responsible for the daily care of all livestock, including feed, water, fencing and otherwise maintaining healthy and humane conditions. They will also manage all livestock acquisition, harvest, breeding, and health, including but not limited to:

 

• Beef cattle

• Layer chickens

• Future livestock enterprises such as pigs, small ruminants and guardian animals

 

This position will work closely with the farm manager and other farm and administrative staff, and will manage any crew supporting livestock. They will be responsible for executing most of the day to day livestock operations, but will have administrative responsibilities such as maintaining records and inventories, and supporting other areas of our organization as needed such as sales, finance, farm planning and development, and compliance. There is a lot of potential for growth and taking on more management responsibilities as we expand production in the coming years and add additional enterprises and staff. 

 

The livestock manager will report to the farm manager and support all other farm operations as determined by the farm manager including but not limited to:

 

• Crop production

• Land management and maintenance

• Events and other public programming when applicable 

• Farm planning and infrastructure design

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​While we are seeking an experienced livestock manager, we are also open to applicants with less experience who are eager to grow into a management role. Candidates who demonstrate strong skills, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to our farm’s mission may be considered for a permanent management track position at an hourly rate.

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JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific roles/responsibilities will include the following:

• Weekly planning and daily task management/chores

• Maintaining herd/flock health, including preventative care

• Equipment operation and basic maintenance 

• Maintenance and upkeep of farm infrastructure such as fencing, waterlines, handling equipment, barns, etc. 

• Developing and executing rotational grazing/haying/pasture management plans

• Cattle breeding, animal procurement and harvest

• Administration, management and education

  • Maintain records for livestock health, acquisition and harvest, as well as pasture management

  • Build and maintain budgets and work plans for livestock enterprises

  • Create and maintain inventory of all livestock feed and supplies

  • Support farm team management including managing schedules and time off requests, approving hours, and conducting performance evaluations of farm crew

  • Create training programs and SOPs to manage staff around animal husbandry, animal products and other areas of operation as needed

• Sales, primarily through wholesale channels

  • Create and maintain meat and egg inventories

  • Provide customer service and education around farm products

  • Support sales channels as needed, including wholesale, farmers market and farm stand, and keep sales software/platforms up to date (we are discontinuing our farmers market in June)

  • Align sales strategy and implementation with animal harvest and processing

• Support hiring/recruitment as needed

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EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES 

• 2+ years experience with livestock production, ideally in a management capacity

• Experience with intensive rotational grazing and pasture-based finishing techniques for improving meat quality

• Experience with cattle breeding (preferably via artificial insemination), herd health management and emergencies, as well as basic health needs of layer chickens

• Organized self starter with excellent observation skills, and the ability to self manage and problem solve independently

• Confidence and ability to manage and/or educate others about livestock operations and products

• Good team player that can work well with co-workers and customers

• Experience with or ability to quickly learn relevant computer skills (with training) including G-Suite, POS systems and other softwares as needed

• Experience with pigs and small ruminants is a plus

• Experience with equipment or infrastructure maintenance and repair is a plus

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REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

• Required Trainings: Legally required trainings, farm safety and SOPS and other trainings as required by HVH policies

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to travel independently within the office, around the farm and off site. Ability to move throughout the office, as well as attend off-site appointments, ability to consistently and safely lift 50 pounds, and on occasion 75 lbs.

• Safety: In addition to safety training, the employee must obey all safety policies and wear proper PPE as needed or specified in safety policies. 

• Harlem Valley Homestead has a mandatory vaccination policy for Covid-19 compliant with applicable state and federal law. 

• Authorized to work in the US

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COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• $50-60k starting annual salary commensurate with experience

• Performance based bonus up to 8% of salary

• Fully paid health insurance

• Self insurance available for vision & dental

• PTO - 17.33 hours (2.16 days) accrued per month

• FSA and EAP 

• 401k Plan - up to 3.5% match

• $200 annual gear stipend

• Staff Discount in farm store

• Access to house shelf when available

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HOW TO APPLY

• If you think Harlem Valley Homestead might be a good fit for you, please follow this link to our online application form. 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.