Livestock Steward

Ocean Hour Farm is one of the last remaining active farms on the south end of Aquidneck Island. The rugged and rolling coastal pastures and historic stone village provide a unique character to this 43.2 acre bucolic farm. Its mission is to serve as a center for education, scientific research, and demonstration of regenerative agricultural practices. The property is adjacent to the Narragansett Bay, making it an ideal location for highlighting the critical connection between land use and ocean health. The vision of the farm is to provide a living example of regenerative land stewardship – an integrated system where plants, animals, and people heal ecosystems while producing food and fiber for the community. 

 

Running the farm is truly a collaborative effort. All employees, no matter the department, participate in some capacity in carrying out educational programming, research activities and whole systems design work for the farm. All roles will therefore require excellent organizational skills, the ability to collaborate with staff in other departments as well as a deep understanding of the land to sea connection.

 

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • Coordinate all animal husbandry with other animal systems staff, relay all changes in diet, location, medication, handling as needed
  • Create daily lists for cleaning and animal care for animal systems staff
  • Transport animals on and off site as needed
  • Move animals according to rotational grazing plan
  • Observe and inventory entire livestock population on-site daily
  • Restock supplies as needed
  • Oversee all hay and straw deliveries, proper storage of materials and quality control
  • Forage analysis, moisture content on all deliveries
  • Maintain pastures in accordance with grazing plan
  • Respond to animal care emergencies, on-site for calving, kidding and lambing, respond to burglary alarms
  • Perform other livestock related duties as needed.

Facilities

• • Operate small tractor (backhoe if able) and maintain appropriate licensing
  • Work with Facilities Manager to maintain tractor, work truck, gators, transportation truck and livestock trailer
  • Put up and maintain permanent and impermanent fencing in accordance with the grazing plan
  • Work with facilities and ground crew to maintain adequate pest control and invasive vegetation management
  • Work with Facilities team to maintain all pens, panels, sheds and pasture structures

Public Relations

• • Stay informed on breed information, regenerative practices in general and the farm’s grazing plan to adequately answer questions of visitors
  • Participate in segments of visitor tours when requested.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• • Brings a passion for the mission of Ocean Hour Farm.
  • Ability to work effectively in a small organization with an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration.
  • Ability to interface and coordinate professionally with a number of diverse internal and external contacts, including partners, vendors, and fellow team members
  • Flexibility to work simultaneously on a wide range of projects and ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines
  • Ability to speak, read, and write effectively in English.
  • Ability to work legally in the United States.
  • Ability to work on site at the farm in Newport, Rhode Island.
  • Ability to use email and Google Suite.
  • Proficiency in communicating ideas to ensure efficiency of project inputs and outcomes.

Minimum previous experience, training, and education

• • At least 5 years of direct mixed livestock experience.
  • Experience specifically in regenerative agriculture and holistic management preferred.
  • Experience working in an educational farm environment is preferred.
  • Vet tech skills, a plus.
  • Micro Dairy experience a plus
  • Spanish fluency, a plus.

$32 - $37 an hour

 

This position will work outdoors, requiring the following activity: lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 50-80 pounds, kneeling, and bending. Must be able to work outdoors in many types of conditions when necessary. Willingness and ability to travel and work non-standard business hours, such as nights and weekends, on an as-needed basis is required. Employees must be able to cope effectively with deadlines and multi-tasking.

 

This is a non exempt position

 

Ocean Hour Farm is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create an atmosphere where diversity of identity, experience, and background are welcomed, valued and supported. Ocean Hour Farm believes that diversity brings about greater sustainability on all levels and aims to use its resources to generate greater social and environmental diversity through its grant-making and other related investments. Ocean Hour Farm is committed to considering candidates for employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability and any other status protected under applicable law, and provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. 

Interested parties may apply here.