Balfour Farm
Balfour Farm is a small, diversified organic dairy farm in Pittsfield, Maine. Our unique and distinctive cheeses made in small batches are made from the milk produced by our beautiful Normande cows. The multiple awards we have won locally, regionally and nationally show the quality of our cheeses. As a farmstead creamery, we control the process from pasture to plate, taking great pride in producing a wholesome product using sustainable methods. Our farm is completely off the grid, with 85% of our power generated by solar. Unique flavors are developed by aging cheeses in an underground, passively cooled vault that provides a natural environment for microbe growth development. Milking year round gives an appreciation for the seasonal changes in milk. Flavors that develop in the cheesemaking process reflect the terroir of our farm: from grassy notes in spring and summer cheeses, to richer bolder flavors from winter feeds. Whey from our cheesemaking is fed to our pig herd which produces flavorful pork cuts and value-added products like cured salami.
Location
Pittsfield, ME
Hours and Work Season
-FULL TIME, YEAR ROUND
5-day work week, workdays are 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, SATURDAYS are required for this position
Payment Type
Hourly wage
Pay
$16+ pay commensurate with experience
Job Description
Job Description: General Farm Help
This is an entry level position with training supplied and an opportunity for advancement.
Requirements:
-5-day work week, workdays are 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, SATURDAYS are required for this position
-work with safety in mind
-ability to lift 50 lbs
-be able to work in all kinds of weather- this position is 90% outside work with a strong manual labor component
-experience with diverse livestock (pig, cows, chickens)
-2-3 years’ experience in pasture-based farm systems, concentration in dairy preferred, but will train the right candidate
Experience with farm equipment: tractors, skid steers, trailers, chain saws, trimmers, mowers, hay implements; will train the right candidate
-be willing to learn, follow directions, provide feedback and ask questions when uncertain of a course of action
-maintain a clean appearance and workspace
-time management skills are essential to work effectively and efficiently, both independently and as a team member
-be reliable and timely, show up for scheduled shifts regardless of weather
– be responsive to changing seasonal needs of the farm
-be able to work autonomously, planning and prioritizing your workday to accomplish all tasks
-have a valid Maine Driver’s license and reliable transportation
-have a good attitude and work ethic: be honest and work to the best of your ability, complete tasks without cutting corners
-other skills such as carpentry and building trades, mechanical skills and machine repair are desirable
Responsibilities:
-daily animal care: feeding and watering, cleaning pens, moving fencing
-dairy: milking, scraping barn, cleaning equipment, feed calves, feeding hay, moving fence, moving cattle, monitoring: grass growth, fencing, water tanks and lines, maintain records
-hogs: feeding, watering, maintain records, moving/repairing fencing, loading hogs/moving hogs to barn for loading
-chickens: feed, water; gather, clean and package eggs; monitor flock health, move fencing
– seasonal: fencing repair, installation and maintenance, hay harvest, firewood, mowing grass, plowing snow, brush removal
-support farm operations as needed throughout the year with other duties as assigned
Benefits
○ Hourly wage ○Set schedule, 5 days, 7:30am-3:30pm with two consecutive days off. ○ Paid ½ hr lunch for (full time position) ○ 24 hours sick time to start ○ Paid holidays after probationary period ○Paid Time Off after 1 Year Anniversary
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- ○ Hourly wage ○Set schedule, 5 days, 7:30am-3:30pm with two consecutive days off. ○ Paid ½ hr lunch for (full time position) ○ 24 hours sick time to start ○ Paid holidays after probationary period ○Paid Time Off after 1 Year Anniversary
What to Expect from Us
We provide a period of extensive training. Once this is complete, you are expected to work independently with support as needed. We are often working concurrently on other projects on the farm.
We won’t ask you to do anything we wouldn’t do ourselves.
We try to be flexible with work schedules but rely on you to show up when scheduled.
We encourage an environment of continuous learning, open communication and collaborative problem solving.
We are dedicated to continuous improvement of farm operations and culture by encouraging employees to take an active role in this process by contributing their ideas and perspectives.
Balfour Farm is a registered Mentor Farm with the Dairy Grazing Alliance’s Apprenticeship program. Employees are eligible to participate in the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship educational programs.
Application Details and Deadline
Online Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepmZDmlEvv_sMMtPeheb0-K4GJAxMpCr6Ec4ATV1oTjMK0wA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106619207735299570545
Or
Email your references, work history and letter of interest to [email protected]