We are Sweet & Salty Farm, a small grazing dairy farm in Little Compton, Rhode Island. We make a variety of artisan cheeses and yogurt. We manage our land, animals and our people with care and respect. We believe if we do all of that right, we are capable of making exceptional food for our community while providing a fun and caring place to work.
We are looking for someone to join our team to work with both cows and pastures, as well as helping make cheese and yogurt at the farm in Little Compton, RI. On the farm side, you will tend to our dairy cows, assist with daily milking, and assist in producing our high-quality artisan cheeses and yogurt. Experience is a plus but not required. You will learn everything you need to know on the job, including milking cows, managing pastures, operating our pasteurizing and filling equipment, and making yogurt and cheese. This job starts early mornings and includes Saturdays. Tasting cheese on a regular basis is a great part of the job, and many days will involve strolling with cows to and from beautiful oceanside pastures. There is room to grow and advance with lots of training in all areas.
Responsibilities include:
On the farm side:
- Milking cows in the morning and cleaning and sanitizing all milking-related equipment
- Farm chores, includes moving animals to fresh pasture and setting up rotational grazing in the fields
On the creamery side:
- Helping make cheese and yogurt
- Cleaning and sanitizing equipment for cheese and yogurt making
- Following established checklists for pasteurizing and processing milk
- Assisting with aging work in our cheese cave
- Cutting and wrapping cheeses and packing for deliveries and farmers markets
- Occasional farmer’s market assistance, depending on schedule
Who we are looking for:
- A friendly and positive attitude is a must! We are a small group of great people and work closely together. If you like the job, we hope you can work with us for years to come
- Someone with stamina. This is a physical job. Pasture work can be hot in summer, and the processing room where we make cheese and yogurt is often hot and steamy. You’ll be on your feet all day and will be lifting heavy things from time to time
- A willingness to learn and grow
- A willingness to ask for help and ask questions
Additional qualifications:
- No experience in farming or cheesemaking or food preparation is required, although that would be a big plus!
- A passion for food and sustainable agriculture is important
- An ability to arrive at work early (6:30 am start time)
Schedule: The position is for 4-5 days a week, Tues-Saturday or Wednesday-Saturday, up to 30-40 hours per week total, depending on how many hours and days you are interested in working. We start at 6:30am each morning and typically end by early afternoon, depending on the work involved for that particular day.
Timing: This position will start immediately and is a year-round position. Our cows are milked seasonally, March through December. In January and February, we do not have milk to process into cheese or yogurt, but we can keep you busy over those months preparing for the next season.
Starting salary: $18/hour plus cheese and yogurt. Two weeks of paid vacation are included.
How to apply: Submit a brief letter of interest (and a resume if you have one handy) to Laura Haverland at [email protected].