Farm Manager (Year-Round)
Grass Cattle Company – Charlotte, Vermont
Position Overview
Grass Cattle Company is seeking a dedicated and experienced Farm Manager to lead day-to-day operations of our pasture-based meat enterprise. This is a salaried, full-time position based in Charlotte & Hinesburg Vermont.
You’ll work closely with owner Steve to manage cattle. Your primary responsibilities will be daily chores, poultry, on-farm stores, farmers markets, and events throughout the year. The average workweek ranges from 40–45 hours during the grazing season (mid-April through mid-October), with lighter winter weeks typically between 25–40 hours, depending on weather and workload.
You’ll work Saturdays at the Burlington Farmers Market and occasionally Sundays for burger events, with two consecutive weekdays off. However, when Steve is away and no other employees are available, you may be responsible for chores up to 7 days a week. Those additional two days per week usually require only 1–2 hours of chores (depending on season), but you will be the primary decision-maker and point of contact for the farm during those rare periods.
Even on lighter winter weeks, you are considered on-call during your five assigned workdays. If an issue arises—like a broken waterer or livestock emergency—you’re expected to return to the farm to resolve it, typically any time before 5:30 PM, unless you’ve scheduled paid time off (PTO) in advance.
Key Responsibilities
Grazing Season (Mid-April – Mid-October)
- Assist in Cattle Management: Assist with daily pasture rotations for a 75-head Angus herd; support winter hay feeding and infrastructure work as needed. Experience with livestock handling is preferred, but we will train motivated, long-term candidates.
- Lead The Pastured Poultry Program
- Meat Chickens: Raise ~800 broilers per season. Tasks include feeding, watering, daily pasture moves, and coordinating seven on-farm processing days.
- Layer Hens: Care for ~150 hens including feeding, egg collection, washing, packing, and mobile coop management.
- Farm Stores: Maintain our Charlotte and Hinesburg self-serve stores: restocking, signage, cleanliness, and basic inventory.
- Farmers Market: Lead our Saturday booth at the Burlington Farmers Market—set-up, cooking burgers, managing staff and customer experience.
- Events: Support burger pop-ups and multiple annual on-farm events, helping with prep, logistics, and guest experience.
- Infrastructure & Maintenance: Assist with mowing, fencing, small construction projects, pasture water systems, and other seasonal upkeep.
- Enterprise Development: Collaborate with Steve on future enterprises including pork, lamb, and agritourism (e.g. goat cuddling, pumpkin patches).
Winter Season (Mid-October – Mid-April)
- Livestock: Feed round bales to cattle, maintain layer hen systems.
- Farm Stores: Keep stores clean, stocked, and accessible (including snow removal with shovel).
- Farmers Market: Staff and attend winter market Saturdays, (every other Saturday with some breaks hear and there)
- Projects: Contribute to seasonal maintenance, construction, and special projects.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $40,000–$47,000/year (based on experience)
Higher pay is considered for candidates with experience in livestock handling, poultry operations, fencing, pasture water systems, tractor use, construction, retail, or events.
- 3 weeks paid vacation (with the expectation of completing essential chores on most holidays)
- $250/month farm store credit
- Tip share from the farmers market burger booth
- Workers Compensation insuranc
- Paid sick time (1 hour earned per 52 hours worked, up to 40 hours/year)
- Annual bonus potential (up to 3% of salary)
- Year-round trailer or tiny home hookup available on-site