Overview

Our Farm is a traditional, mixed, Lake District farm (of 120 acres) undergoing restoration to its traditional heritage. It is certified Organic with OF&G. We have several ongoing restoration projects. We are planting and laying hedges, rebuilding dry stone walls, re-planting and developing woodland, recreating the vegetable enterprise, installing renewable electrical generation systems, and so on. The aim is environmental improvement of a very diverse farm – including soils, wildlife, birdlife and the microbiome, while creating a sustainable farm business.

The job offered is predominantly farm work and conservation – livestock care and farm maintenance using traditional practices as well as woodland management. There is also a management role in terms of organising and supervising volunteers, who come to the farm in groups for periods of 2 or 3 weeks at a time for specific manual jobs (e.g. hay-making, wall-building). You will learn about organic farming, traditional practices (e.g. dry-stone walling and hedge-laying), and ecological agriculture (e.g. livestock symbioses). It is an opportunity to learn, and to pass on, traditional rural skills. The farmer has over 30 years of experience and a PhD in organic farming, and is an excellent source of knowledge, and is looking for candidates who are interested in learning as well as contributing new knowledge to the farm.

What we need from you :

Essential

Some experience of farming, conservation or other outdoor work

A deep interest in ecological agriculture and commitment to organic farming

Desirable

Confidence in repair and maintenance

Enjoyment of working independently and in groups

Familiarity with handling livestock

Experience driving tractors and using farm machinery

This is a fixed-term position, part time for 12 months (in the first instance), working 25 hours per week. This will typically amount to 3 days per week, though some flexibility is needed to fit in with seasonal requirements. The remaining time each week is set aside for you to pursue your own learning or research project. Depending on your interest and skills, this may progress further and become a larger part of the role if the contract is extended. All necessary training will be given.

The role could be part of your current studies. This could either be an apprenticeship in conservation management/environmental science or related subject; or a studentship, undertaking appropriate research at the farm – in discussion with the farmer – and supervised within a university programme. There are many opportunities for monitoring living populations on the farm, and we would be open to students undertaking experimental projects that are in line with our ethos. Shared accommodation is offered in a village close to the farm.

The right candidate is someone with a genuine interest in, and commitment to, organic farming, who enjoys physical hard work and being outdoors. Interested candidates should submit their application by email, prior to a phone conversation and an on-site interview.