Are you passionate about sustainable livestock production on a pasture based, Regenerative Agriculture farm? See below for our current opportunities.
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Job Openings
Resumes and a detailed description of why you'd like to work with us should be sent to info@tussocksedgefarm.com
Ranch Hand (Animal Care) - P/T
Position will be responsible for the care of multiple livestock species, depending on time of year.
Requirements:
- Must be reliable - our animals need care 365 days a year
- Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds
- Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time
- Must be comfortable working around animals of all sizes, from day old baby chicks that fit in the palm of your hand to bulls weighing nearly 2000 pounds
- Must have a valid driver's license
- Must be available to work weekends
- Must work safely in and around equipment
- Must be able to work in all weather conditions
Preference given to applicants with prior farm experience
Order Fulfillment - P/T
Position will be responsible for accurately packing orders received through our online store.
Requirements:
- Must be reliable with good organization skills and attention to detail
- Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds
- Must be able to stand for long periods of time and comfortable in cold environments, as you'll be in and out of our walk-in freezers
- Must be comfortable working on Apple devices, as we use iPads for interacting with our web-based eCommerce platform.
- Work schedule is VERY flexible depending on your availability. Weekdays or weekends are available.
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Internship/Apprenticeship Program
We are a nearly 1,000 acre, pasture based, regenerative agriculture farm in the suburbs of Philadelphia. We believe in humane handling of our animals, manage our pastures through intensive rotational grazing, and focus on producing the highest quality artisan products, all of which are sold directly through our online store to our surrounding community. As an intern, you may be exposed to any of the following depending on the season:
- Grass Fed Cattle Production
- Pastured Poultry Production
- Pastured Hog Production
- Holistic Pasture Management
- Carpentry
- Irrigation and Fencing
- Order fulfillment
- Farm events
- And much more…!
What we offer
A unique opportunity to learn all aspects of raising pastured meat in a suburban environment. These aren’t quiet, back country lanes, we operate tractors and other equipment on often busy roads and our animals graze pastures that have a steady stream of traffic driving by. Everything that we do is visible to the community and we hold ourselves to the highest standards in all things.
- Minimum 16 week commitment, up to 1 year. Preference is given to those applicants seeking the longest term
- Minimum 5 day, 40 hour work week
- Weekends are required but are typically shorter days. (4 hours or less) Larger tasks and projects are completed on weekdays. Scheduling can be flexible depending on your availability
- A 15% discount on everything sold through our store
- Complimentary access to our “seconds” products - meat that tastes amazing but might not look the greatest and therefore is pulled from inventory and not sold
- Free farm gear including: t-shirts, hats, etc.
- Stipends are available
- The ability to develop and implement a season long project - you must submit the idea to the farm managers for approval
Interns must be at least 18 years of age on start date
Expectations
As an intern, you will report to different supervisors throughout your training. It is your job to follow the leadership of this supervisor, who will be tasked with keeping you productively occupied. It is our vision to teach you the principles of regenerative agriculture, with a holistic approach to farming, animal husbandry, and land restoration. We do not operate as individuals, but rather as a whole. You are not here to occupy a specific position or to perform a specific task, you are expected to contribute to the working organism that is Tussock Sedge Farm. Your education and training will occur in this process. At the core of everything we do is respect - for the animals, the land, our surrounding community & ecosystem, and each other. Being kind to one another is the standard operating procedure, and it is a centerpiece of our culture. We are all passionate about what we do, which adds a fragile, but powerful dynamic to our work. Patience and kindness are qualities we admire. **Interns may have their training and employment terminated at any time, by management, for not obeying work rules, insubordination, operating equipment dangerously, tardiness, absence, or other unacceptable behavior.** The use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs are strictly forbidden on and in all Tussock Sedge Farm properties and equipment.
What we require
You must have a willingness to learn and an interest in regenerative agriculture techniques. We require people who are full of ambition, situationally aware, will sweat all day, are teachable - positive - grateful - dependable - honest - and reasonably well groomed. Please be physically fit, as much of our work is performed by hand. It’s quite possible that during your first two weeks, you will experience aches and pains that you’ve never felt before. You must also be self-motivated and comfortable working both alone and with others. Hours can be long and irregular – what ever it takes to ensure the work is completed. You will work closely with our family, employees, animals and customers. You are trusted to represent us well at all times. This is a position for someone who REALLY wants to learn how to farm and produce high quality, healthy food for the community. You will work hard, eat well, sleep more, learn what you’re capable of, be immersed in sustainable agriculture, and learn what it takes to produce food in a grass based environment. This is hands on in the dirt, blood, manure, and mud. You will see birth and death. This is real life.
A $500 deposit is due upon acceptance into the internship program and serves as your commitment to work for the agreed upon time frame.
Application Process
To apply, please submit a resume with at least two references to info@tussocksedgefarm.com. Please also answer the following questions:
Do you have any farming experience?
What do you hope to gain through this internship?
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