Company description

Paicines Ranch consists of 7600 acres of certified organic rangeland and irrigated cropland located in the central coast region of California. Our focus is on imagining, exploring, designing, creating and managing agricultural systems that regenerate landscapes and that are economically and socially sustainable. The ranch is managed using the principles of Holistic Management. The ranch is in the midst of several projects including:

• Trialing and implementing methods for no-till crops including forage, grain, and seed. Orchard crops, silvopasture, and some vegetables are in the early phases of implementation and planning. Tillage is reserved as a possible tool if needed, but the ranch maintains a strong commitment to reducing tillage and improving soil health
• A diverse polyculture vineyard that will be managed using planned grazing of sheep throughout the year
• Onsite composting, an on farm Airbnb and wedding venue, an event center that hosts many regenerative agriculture conferences, and a program for education and innovation sharing that hosts people from around the country and the world
• Baseline and ongoing ecosystem monitoring of the entire ranch including soil carbon, soil biology, wildlife and plants. On farm trialing of new techniques and cropping systems and integrating the monitoring and trialing information into farming practice implementation

Job description

The Livestock Assistant position will best be fulfilled by someone passionate about grazing and farming systems that significantly improve soil health, biodiversity, nutritional quality of foods and quality of life for the people and communities involved in agriculture.  Day-to-day work will primarily focus on assisting our livestock operation, which currently runs 500 head of sheep and some steers. This summer we are bringing on 100 turkeys and a small number of pigs.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Electric fence installation, maintenance and repair
• Sheep and cattle: assisting with grazing planning, paddock moves, basic veterinary care, chute runs, loading trailers, monitoring forage, stock water and mineral
• Herding, sorting, weighing and loading utilizing low-stress livestock handling
• Turkeys: assisting the ranch crew with feeding, watering, fencing, and moving portable housing
• Pigs: assisting the ranch crew with filling feeders, checking water, and moving portable fence and housing
• Guard dog care
• Organization and cleaning of supplies and equipment
• Record keeping/data entry

Additional opportunities

• Participating in biological monitoring of rangelands and crop fields
• Attending on-site workshops
• Spending some time each week being familiarized with the the various enterprises at the ranch

Qualifications

• At least one season of livestock experience, preferably with ruminants
• Strong communication skills, flexibility, patience and a good sense of humor
• Basic tool knowledge
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to work safely in hot and dry weather
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Preferred Qualifications

• Study and/or practice of farming techniques that strive to build soil while producing food
• A strong interest in ecological agriculture
• Exposure to and/or interest in Holistic Management
• A desire to make a career out of farming and/or ranching

Work schedule and compensation

• June 1 - September 15th (Dates somewhat flexible.)
• This is a seasonal position. Full time positions may become available at the ranch in the near future.
• 40 hours/week with two consecutive days off
• Pay rate: $11.25/hour
• Private room in bunkhouse with communal kitchen/bathroom
• Discounted ranch meat and eggs
• Garden space

Check us out!

 

https://paicinesranch.com

https://www.facebook.com/PaicinesRanch/

https://www.instagram.com/paicinesranch/

 

Compensation

this position is: hourly, under $15/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline