Full-Time Pastured Broiler Manager Position in Petaluma

Organization: Tara Firma Farms

We are committed to a sustainable future, for us, for you, for all beings.  We are completely transparent in all of our farming practices and are dedicated to education, in hopes of creating a happier, healthier existence for everyone on this beautiful earth! Our stewardship methods are based on Joel Salitin’s polyface farm approach as well as the high density grazing methods described in holistic management.

Position Summary:

Tara Firma Farms is in the business of growing not only food, but farmers. There are many different jobs you can find on different farms where you can learn how to execute different farm chores. Learning those skills are essential, but they are only half of the equation. When you are a farmer you are a business owner as well, which requires a whole other set of skills. These skills are not usually developed in most farm jobs. Here at Tara Firma we are interested in supporting people to develop both sets of skills. That is not to say that we are training people from the ground up just yet. The ideal candidate comes in with a host of skills already developed in both of those areas that we can build on. In the future, our non-profit will offer a program to train people that have minimal experience on farms. As the broiler manager, you will be performing farm chores related to those broilers that includes hard labor, plumbing, carpentry and common sense. However you will also be expected to step back and assume the responsibility for the quality, sustainability, and profitability of the broilers.

  

Compensation:  

Commensurate with experience and relative to the other pay scales on the farm, health benefits after 3 month period, ½ price food. However NO ONE that works here does it for the Money, so while you can make enough to live working here, please do not apply if you are just trying to get a check.

Primary Responsibility:

·         The owner/operator is responsible for creating a culture of curiosity and positivity

·         The owner/operator will be responsible for delivering care to the broilers; feed, water, move and change bedding

o    They will also need to be responsive to the necessary changes that need to occur with those aforementioned activities

·         The owner/operator will be responsible for managing the broilers health.

·         The owner/operator will be responsible for creating a business plan for the broilers which will include

o    A budgetary analysis for the broilers

o    A proposed plan moving forward based on budget review and creation which will include:

o    Appropriate stocking rate on land

o    Plan to meet the need of total animals set by the office

o    Proposed rotation and location of animals on property

o    Logistics related to movement that need to be considered

o    Plan for keeping relevant records

o    feed analysis, current vs. future

o    any models you are the most excited about and that can transfer over

o    one year vision for operation

o    A standard of care report that details a checklist for chores that need to be done on a daily, weekly, monthly basis

·         The owner/operator will be responsible for the profitability of the animal unit under management and will work with the management team to trouble shoot whenever it looks like the profitability comes into question

·         The owner/operator will handle all scheduling of the animal unit they are responsible for, including all chores related to the animals, their standard of care, closing them up and getting them processed

·         The owner/operator will arrange for at least one visit per quarter to neighboring farms that are running broiler operations in order to gather research and compare and contrast our operation to theirs

·         The owner/operator will read and research about the animal for which they are responsible for. They will take ideas that make sense in theory, ground them in practice and figure out how they can help improve our operation.  

Secondary Responsibilities:

·         Assists with maintaining workshop and tools in clean and safe working order

·         Assists with cleaning and keeping the barn and surrounding area in order

·         Supports other owner/operators with their operations as need be

·         Helps maintain the electric fence

·         Helps to fix plumbing issues, leaks, breaks etc around the farm

·         Helps with construction projects on the farm

·         Bringing unexpected creativity to bare based on observation of the needs of the farm

Qualifications:

·         College degree preferred, but a lot of experience in the field could overcome this requirement

·         The ability to think abstractly about a problem and offer solutions to overcome the infinite daily obstacles that come up

·         Experience with farm work, landscaping or other hard labor activity

·         Interest in sustainable ranching and animal management

·         Ability to lift 85 lbs. and perform very hard work for the majority of the day in a variety of weather

·         Flexible schedule and willingness to work a 10 hr day, 50 hour week if needed

·         Great communication skills preferred

·         Stock handeling skills preferred

·         Carpentry skills a plus

·         Plumbing skills a plus

·         Spanish speaking is a plus

·         Ability to operate heavy machinery or any mechanic skills, welding etc.  also a plus

To Apply Follow these directions exactly or you will not be considered, thanks! Please e-mail your resume to Byron@tarafirmafarms.com. Please attach a cover that includes your five year vision, three references and any other relevant skills you have that would be applicable to our operation. We look forward to receiving your application and vision as we hope to figure out how to engage your passions here while at the same time having you be part of the dream of the farm come true.