Listing Information
Currently Hiring
No, not at this time. Please check back next season!Type of Farm
Hay & Forage, Large Animal (cattle, sheep, goats), Small Animal (pigs, rabbits, poultry), Vegetable, OtherType of Farm (Other)
Permaculture Principle Farm StartupMarketing Strategy
Community Supported Agriculture, Farm Stand, EducationPaid
YesPay Rate
Room and board valued at $1100/month. This includes bedroom, bed, bedding, basic personal care items, and shared bathroom. Food and shared kitchen is provided. Pay/stipend will be determined upon interview.Housing
YesDescribe yourself, your family, background, farming experience, philosophy, goals and interests
Here at Red Rock Family Farm, the core team is built with backgrounds in nutrition, culinary, and professional athletics. Through our various experiences, we are at the conclusion that wholesome foods - produce and animals raised with no pesticides, hormones, and/or antibiotics will provide the nutrition needed to sustain a balanced lifestyle. We would like to provide the space for others to give thoughts toward how food is currently viewed and to empower others to make more conscious choices for themselves, family members, and for the Earth. We are working hard to create a strong foundation for a Permaculture Principles based farm. Our values include caring for people through diverse contributions, group participation, connecting with nature all while balancing work, play, and rest. We celebrate the Earth by maximizing biodiversity through observation and adapting to our natural systems. The future is our motivation to practice regenerative and sustainable practices and our hope is to leave our environment better than we found it for now and for the 7th generation.How can this be accomplished? None other than getting people to get down and dirty on the farm just "doing it" !
Describe the physical setting of your farm and the nature of the community in which you live
We are located in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley in a town called Hamilton. The farm sits on 230 acres surrounded by mountainous terrain, fresh air, and beauty in nature. We are thankful that everyday there is wildlife of elk, deer, birds, and smaller critters that roam through the farm.We are about 5 miles from Main Street, Hamilton. The community is close knitted and the folks take care of one another through building relationships. You will find many local and small businesses like restaurants and artisan shops that are supported by the community. Outdoor activities include hiking, hunting, fishing, and walks around town. And if you prefer something indoors, there are well suited activities like pottery classes, bowling, or grab yourself a beverage at the local coffee shop and/or brewery.
As members of the community, we believe there is something for everyone.
Describe your farm operation
Our operation consists of various projects that are spanned throughout the next 10 years, broken up into yearly stages of implementation. The operation during our first year on the farm, 2021, was focused on getting clear with water rights -how much water to use on our land and learning to conserve water through more sustainable irrigation methods. We currently have a subcontracted newly built farmhouse that is in progress. The space has a commercial kitchen, small retail space for value added products, and provides a residential area with rooms for future employees. We also have a geodesic greenhouse dome we are constructing as a stepping stone to future growing on the farm land. This greenhouse is a temperature controlled space with raised garden beds to provide year round produce. In addition to these projects, we have a few pigs, and a couple dozen of chicken to get us comfortable with taking care of animals before moving onto meat production animals.
The projects described requires a basic level of mechanization that supports regenerative farming practices. This includes safely using wrenches, screwdrivers, power tools (impact driver or a drill).
Describe the work to be performed by applicant
Looking towards 2022, we are setting up for some beautiful projects that will concentrate on regenerative farming practices. This includes a 7 layer food forest, layered system of plants and fruit trees at different heights that mimic a natural forest garden. We will also start with one to two boxed honey bee hive(s) placed within this food forest to encourage pollinators/pollination. In regards to animals, we intend to set up a new fencing system to prepare for the rotational grazing method. Grazing in this pattern will be cattle, meat birds, and milking goats. One of our bigger projects we will be continuing to work towards is having a more efficient irrigation system. That may include implementing different watering systems to help conserve water, putting in K-line sprinklers, and drip irrigation to maximize the water usage.The work includes daily chores of feeding the animal, planting trees, harvesting animals, use of irrigation equipment/maintenance, and tending to the greenhouse.
What do you expect of a worker?
We are looking for applicants that will work Monday-Friday, roughly 8-3p with lunch and breaks in between hours. There will be a physical labor requirement of being able to lift at least 35lbs. There is time off on the weekends and further time off will be communicated with the employer.The skills and qualifications we are interested in are clear communication skills, willingness to learn new practices, co-exist with being open minded to others values, sharing knowledge, and to be resourceful with efficient decision making skills.
Describe the learning and educational opportunities available to a worker
The worker will be working alongside the leader. If the worker displays the ability to handle independent tasks, it can be earned. Most of the education shared by the leader is based off of learning Permaculture Principles. There may be further educational opportunities, involvement in marketing, and self growth.Are you a full-time farmer?
YesDo you require a trial period or require a prospective worker to visit your farm before hiring?
YesExplain the room and board arrangements or describe options in your area
The worker will stay in a shared living space with other employees. There is a provided residential kitchen and lounge space. Communal meals are expected to be shared with other community members at Red Rock Family Farms 3 days per week including participation in cooking/cleaning. As a family at RRFF, we find it an important aspect to share meals together to build relationship. We believe in eating all foods gifted to us through mother nature and ideally, eating by seasons. This means consuming animal meat - by products from animals like cheese & dairy, and all the beautiful varieties of produce offered. We aim to eat gluten free as a dietary preference and if the worker has dietary restrictions, we will do our best to accommodate.There are two young teenagers in the household. We prohibit the usage of drugs/smoking on the farm. We ask workers to drink responsibility and during appropriate times, off work hours and on days off.
We live in a community aiming to co-exist with one another while sharing the wealth of knowledge. There will be large amounts of time spent with one another. Please consider that this is a beautiful opportunity to learn and grow with one another.
Please attach any photos of your farm and operation
Please share three things you think people should know about living with you.
A few things people should know about living with us is that we are passionate and intentional people. We try our best to work efficiently and effectively in our day to day life on the farm as we grow and learn about regenerative farming.One of the motto's we like to reference is, "Be part of the solution, not the problem." To achieve our goals, at times we have greater intensity towards our production days. Sometimes, physical exhaustion causes frustrations and dislike towards the work we do on the farm. Mentally taxed, at times the team chooses not the say much towards each other too. Please don't let these characteristics or circumstances scare you off, but let it be encouragement to join a team that will work together to foster and overcome difficulty.
We would like to attract open minded people who feel strongly about working towards goals that are aimed to create an impact in the now and for the future generations. Enjoy the journey of daily farm work by connecting to purpose with our team. Once our work day finishes, we like to take the downtime to take walks around the farm, read a book, take a glance at the latest article in The Stockman Grass Farmer, or have some real conversations over prepping for dinner.