Employment Opportunities

Help Wanted on a family-owned organic dairy farm.
Canoe Creek Dairy is a 100% grass fed farm in the beautiful driftless region of Northeast Iowa. We are a second generation organic operation recently transitioned to Parker and his wife Esther from Parker’s parents. Parker’s brother Sam and his wife Jen also help to manage the farm. Between the two families we have seven children and we take great joy in the opportunity to raise our families in the wholesome, purposeful and beautiful setting of our farm. We milk semi-seasonally from 70-130 Jersey-cross cows. We have been spring seasonal for a long time but recently shifted to some fall freshening. We raise our replacements on nurse cows and often have up to 5 different groups of animals to move during the grazing season. During the growing season the two most important activities on the farm are monitoring and moving the milking herd to maximize milk production and forage utilization and making the best quality hay we possibly can. This being said there are always countless other tasks and projects happening at the same time.
We are looking for someone to join our team who is flexible, efficiency-minded, enjoys working with others, a good communicator, and also capable of working on their own with training. Experience operating and maintaining machinery is preferred but we will train the right candidate. The job description is flexible depending on ability, experience and interest. The position could range from part-time seasonal to full-time year round depending on the candidate.
Duties may include: Milking daily in a New Zealand style swing parlor (includes parlor set-up and clean up, feeding calves, pitching out pens, feeding hay, etc.). Moving animals daily using management intensive grazing practices. Machinery operation. Including skid loaders, tractors, 4-wheelers and manual transmission vehicles. Machinery maintenance and repair. Daily duties will vary widely depending on season, weather, and current projects. Flexibility and adaptability are necessary attributes of a qualified candidate. Possible housing, some food and/or meals provided. Pay based on experience, attitude and ability.

For more information and to apply, contact Parker Beard, estherandparkerb@gmail.com, 563-419-3780. ADDED 4/24/26.
Location: Decorah, Iowa

DGA Apprenticeship Program at Wolfe’s Neck Center, Freeport, ME

The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA) is a two-year, full-time, on-farm training program designed for early-career farmers interested in regenerative, pasture-based systems. As apprentices advance through the program, they take on greater responsibility in farm decision-making and management, supported by mentorship and formal instruction.

Apprentices work alongside experienced staff, gaining hands-on experience in all aspects of seasonal livestock care, rotational grazing, and dairy operations. The program includes 3,712 hours of mentored, on-farm training and 300 hours of structured coursework, providing a comprehensive pathway toward becoming a skilled dairy grazier and earning Journeyperson certification.

• Posted 06-Apr-2026 (EST)
• 15.50 per hour Starting wage: $15.50/hour, with incremental raises ($0.50 every six months)
• Hourly
• Full Time
• After the 12-week probationary period, the apprentice is eligible for benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, paid vacation and sick days, paid holidays, and our retirement savings plan.
• Link for more information and to apply: https://wolfesneck.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1744477
• LOCATION: Freeport, ME, USA

HELP WANTED: General Farm Help, This is a full time, year round position. Balfour Farm is a diversified organic dairy farm and creamery located in Pittsfield, Maine and established in 2010.We are proud to produce wholesome products using sustainable methods: organic grazing production, off grid solar power, and a passively cooled underground aging vault. We milk once a day, year round. Whey from our cheesemaking is fed to our pig herd. we also have 200-400 laying hens.

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

-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

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. Balfour Farm is a registered Mentor Farm with the Dairy Grazing Alliance. For more information or to forward a letter of interest and resume, email balfourfarm@gmail.com. More general information about the farm is available on our Facebook, Instagram and Youtube pages. ADDED: 4/2/26

HELP WANTED: Assistant Dairy Herd Manager. Larson Farm and Creamery is looking for an assistant dairy herd manager to help with all aspects of dairy production, including cow care, milking, calf care, barn cleaning, feeding and some field work. The position opens in May. We are looking for a 'summer intern', but the position may become a full time permanent position to the right person. Some dairy experience required. Compensation to be determined, depending on experience.
Larson Farm and Creamery is a 30-cow certified organic, 100% grass-fed A2A2 Jersey herd with an on-farm creamery, marketing raw milk and pasteurized dairy products. Much attention is paid to rotational 'tall grazing', working to establish highly diverse perennial forage stands, using satellite-assisted biomass measurement tools. We seek a person passionate about dairy cows and innovative sustainable food production. Contact Richard Larson, dba Larson Farm and Creamery, Richardrobertlarson@gmail.com, 802-884-5288. ADDED 3/27/26
Location: Wells, Vermont

The Penn State Extension Dairy Team is seeking applicants for a part-time job of Organic Dairy Summer Intern. We are looking to hire a summer intern to assist with our organic dairy programs. The college student should have a background in dairy science and a strong interest or background in organic dairy production, organic practices, and regenerative agriculture. This can be a remote position anywhere in PA. The intern will work with PSU Extension Dairy Educators throughout the state and will travel to assist with the summer organic programs. Here is a link to the Penn State job posting - https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Staff?q=Penn+State+Extension. Here is the LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4386437467/ ADDED 3/19/26

Hiring for Seasonal Farmhand Position: Seeking experienced individual March-November to assist with fenceline repairs, hay production, and relief milking. Located on 300 beautiful acres in southern Maine with hourly compensation and housing options. Contact Elizabeth Tarantino etarantino@wolfesneck.org for a full job description or visit www.wolfesneck.org for more details. ADDED: 1/30/26
Location: Freeport, Maine

Dairy Farm Position Wanted: Looking for employment on a Dairy farm, with the potential to take it over, after a period of employment. **HOUSING REQUIRED** Contact Nick, armato.nick@icloud.com, 959-229-0852. ADDED 12/29/25

Location: Madison County, NY

Dairy and Livestock Farm Manager, Shelburne Farm, Shelburne, VT, Year Round, Full Time, $65,000 - $75,000 (includes housing), Shelburne Farms

Job Description: Position: Dairy and Livestock Farm Manager

Supervisor: Agricultural Stewardship Manager

Supervises: Dairy, Livestock, and Crops Staff

Employee Status: Year-Round, Full-Time | Salary Exempt

Housing: Required on-site

Why We Are Here

Shelburne Farms is a nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future. We believe in the power of farm-based education for creating a better world.

Who We Are and What We Do

Our home campus is a 1,400-acre working farm and National Historic Landmark located on the homelands of the Abenaki. Our education programs, farming, forestry, property stewardship, and hospitality operations are at the heart of who we are and what we do. The farm’s award winning operations include a high genetic milking herd of 110 purebred registered Brown Swiss cows, farmstead cheesemaking, 80 ewe flock of sheep and 20 head beef herd, 6 acre organic market garden, and 400 acres of managed woodlands with a 2,400 tap sugarbush. We are nationally recognized for our education for sustainability programs, beautiful pastoral landscape, and the food we produce and serve, including our raw milk cheddar cheese and maple syrup.

As a nonprofit we:

• Engage youth and people of all ages in learning experiences that inspire them to build just, diverse, resilient, caring communities.
• Steward our working lands and heritage buildings as we embody values of place and community through caring for and sharing our natural, agricultural, cultural, and human resources.
• Collaborate with educators and other local, national, and international partners to advance education for sustainability worldwide

Who We’re Looking for

Someone who loves being a farmer, wants to grow professionally, and is excited to become part of the farm-based education community at Shelburne Farms. Someone who is deeply committed to pasture-based livestock agriculture, conserving a beautiful agricultural landscape for public enjoyment, and continuing the legacy of the Brown Swiss dairy herd at Shelburne Farms, including the quest for the grass-based Brown Swiss dairy cow of the future!

You will play an important role in implementing our food system vision, providing management leadership and support in collaboration with the dairy and livestock team and other farm staff, to produce and share our farmstead cheddar cheese, pasture-based meats and other farm products.

Position Objective

To provide day-to-day management coordination and oversight for our pasture-based dairy and livestock operations, collaborating with farm colleagues to advance the mission, vision and goals of Shelburne Farms.

Key Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of this position is to lead the stewardship of high quality farm livestock operations at Shelburne Farms. It is expected that this position will be a hands-on, working manager. Important management considerations and responsibilities include soil, animal, and human health, water quality, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, operations planning, staff support, budgeting, and performance monitoring.

Herd Health

Support our herdsmen with implementing livestock health strategies based on soil fertility, good nutrition and best husbandry practices, making every effort to prevent the need for antibiotics.

Food System Support

Work closely with our herdsmen and the cheesemaking team to maintain the highest possible milk quality, and coordinate with our chefs and store staff for lamb and beef supply and use.

Pasture and Crops Management

Work with staff on intensive rotational grazing and forage production management without the use of chemical herbicides or pesticides, minimizing purchased grain and maximizing environmental and health benefits. Oversee and coordinate compost and manure management and winter hay and silage feed production and storage.

Facilities and Equipment Maintenance

Oversee the maintenance of a neat and safe farmstead, working with staff to monitor, service and repair farm buildings, infrastructure, milking systems, machinery and equipment. Coordinate with the Agricultural Stewardship Manager and Buildings and Landscape Manager on engaging contractor services.

Management and Record Keeping Systems

Work with staff on management systems and ensuring the upkeep of up to date and accurate livestock records, including herd health and production, registration and genomic information, soil fertility and crops production, and equipment repair and maintenance records. Provide information and other support for farm cost sharing programs.

Public Interaction, Programs and Research Support

Represent Shelburne Farms in a friendly and professional manner in interactions with Farm visitors, Inn guests, resident neighbors, educators, staff, and board members. Support collaboration with research projects. Maintain a dairy that represents the dairy industry and the farm in a positive light. Exhibit excellent customer service skills when interacting with the public, relate to a diverse range of people, and exercise cultural competence and inclusion.

Other

Farm work includes chores and all phases of the farm’s operation. Provide support as needed to other Shelburne Farms’ operations.

Time Commitment Understanding

• Goal to average 5 ½ day week over the course of the year
• Vacation time off to be coordinated in advance with the Agricultural Stewardship Manager
• Must be able to work early mornings, late nights, holidays, and weekends.

Job Qualifications

• Passionate about being a farmer and local food systems / regenerative agriculture as part of a sustainable future and excited to live and work with the Shelburne Farms team.
• At least 10 years of farm management experience, including intensive rotational grazing
• Dairy, beef, and sheep management experience following best agricultural practices.
• Valid driver's license.
• Competent computer skills including Google Suite and Excel.
• Committed to fostering a welcoming working and learning environment for all program participants, guests, and staff. Comfortable with staff training and speaking with groups.
• Experience with cleaning and sanitation, for milk quality and food safety.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Typical farm job, including heavy lifting and working long days in the parlor, milkhouse, barns and fields in all weather conditions.
• Operation of all farm machinery and equipment using safety precautions.
• Move up and down a ladder up to 8 feet.
• Moving while carrying items that weigh up to 75 lbs

Benefits

• For year-round, full-time staff: Benefit summary here for the upcoming year (2026)

To Apply

If you see this as an exciting job opportunity, we hope you will share with us your experience and skills that you feel qualify you for this position.

Please click here to submit a resume and cover letter. In your cover letter:

• Tell us about your approach to life and work and the experience and interests that will help you thrive in this role.
• Share how you would approach learning about this farm and training and mentoring new staff members.
• Let us know how you heard about the position.

Shelburne Farms is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and we strongly stand against discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

If you need assistance at any time during the application process or have questions, please contact us at jobs@shelburnefarms.org or 802-985-8686.