While we will post specific job opportunities here as they arise, we are always happy to hear from hard-working, passionate individuals and to consider finding you a place at our farm. If you are interested in working with us, please send a resume and letter of interest to sweetlandvt@gmail.com
Our Hay, Equipment, Livestock, and Orchard or “HELO” manager plays a critical role in our core year-round farm team. The position is fully responsible for all aspects of the hay, orchard, and livestock operations on the farm, and closely supports vegetable production through equipment services like tillage and cultivation. The job includes a combination of independent work (operating and maintaining equipment), production planning (orchard, hay, and livestock), and personnel management (overseeing 1-2 operators and occasionally a crew of laborers). This year-round, salaried position is supported by high quality equipment, detailed task documentation, records of equipment maintenance, and a well-organized and supplied shop.
More Information
The HELO Manager is an essential part of our core farm team and is expected to think and work like a professional farmer. Experience with production farming, attention to detail, an efficient and strong work ethic, the skills to operate and maintain a range of tractors and implements, an inquisitive nature about improved methods, great communication skills, and the capacity to operate with autonomy, work alongside others, or effectively lead a small crew are essential and expected attributes.
Principle Responsibilities
Hay production
Train, manage, and work within a 3-person team on ~120 acres of square bale production
Orchard
Implement IPM management plan for 2 acre apple, pear, & plum orchard
Pastured Livestock
Set up & maintain fencing, housing, and systems for 1000 pastured chickens and turkeys (in 5 batches) and 20-25 pigs
Oversee daily feeding and health checks (mostly performed by crew)
Equipment Operations
Lead 2-3 person team executing equipment-based tasks including disc harrowing, chisel plowing, tilling, spreading amendments, pest control, plastic mulch laying, seeding & incorporating cover crop, mechanical cultivation
Winter snow plowing and greenhouse snow removal as needed
Equipment maintenance & repair
Create seasonal maintenance schedule, perform and record basic maintenance (oil/filter changes, batteries, cleaning & greasing, mower blades, etc)
Co-managing and crew leadership
Coordinate shared crew time with other managers
Lead daily crew meetings
Cultivate culture of hard work, attention to detail, positive attitude, and teamwork
Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to sweetlandvt@gmail.com. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Equipment Operator and Groundskeeper
The Equipment Operator and Groundskeeper works with a wide array of equipment to keep the farm running efficiently, growing productively, and looking good! This position reports to the HELO (Hay, Equipment, Livestock and Orchard) Manager. The HELO manager will regularly task this position with tractor operation in support of hay, veggie, and orchard production, and will delegate irrigation, fencing, and grounds keeping tasks to this position as well. To fill hours in shoulder seasons, this position will also collaborate on construction projects and equipment maintenance.
Operate tedder, rake, hay trailers, hay deliveries
Loader work
Operate bucket & forks
Basic maintenance
Grease fittings, monitor for repair needs, make in-field adjustments, assist with shop repairs
Irrigation
Set up and take down irrigation systems at start and end of season
Monitor weather, soil moisture levels, and crop water needs
Assist with irrigation system moving and setup during cultivation and tillage
Run irrigation as needed at appropriate times of day
Keep irrigation records
Make repairs and keep system in working order
Grounds Keeping & Maintenance
Mow/weed whack fence lines
Mow veg field headlands and orchard aisles
Mow lawns
Keep outdoor public and production areas tidy and attractive
Plow snow from farm stand parking, barnyards, and farm housing
Grade and repair farm roads and parking lots
Set up and maintain deer exclusion fencing
Keep equipment areas orderly and all equipment in its designated location
Carpentry & Construction
Assist with farm-related carpentry, building, and renovation projects, e.g. framing walls, building animal shelters/feeders, repairing greenhouse tables, pouring concrete, installing fences, etc.
Submit a cover letter, resume, and two professional references to sweetlandvt@gmail.com. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Working at Sweetland
Sweetland Farm is a diversified family farm in Norwich, Vermont. Started in 2012 on conserved prime agricultural soils on the banks of the Ompompanoosuc River, Sweetland currently crops 12+ acres of sustainably grown vegetables, which supply a 350-member CSA, road-side farm stand, and farmers’ market. The rest of the 200 acres of farmland consists of actively managed hay fields, pastures for livestock, a fruit tree orchard, and actively maintained woodland. In the course of the next few years on the land we will be growing our vegetable CSA and farm stand business, bringing new land into production, expanding our hay-making capacity, and increasing our pastured meat production. We are also committed to reducing our carbon emissions by 90% over the next several years. Sweetland Farm is known for its high quality and bountiful vegetable CSA, healthy animals, thoughtful care of the land, and commitment to creating meaningful agrarian experiences for customers and employees alike. We aim to create a stimulating, interesting, and upbeat workplace for our farm team.
