WORK WITH US: REGENERATIVE FARM WORKER

WHAT IS GUARDSWELL…?

Guardswell Farm is home to a number of small, land based businesses- focusing on growing good food, welcoming people out to the farm (whether thats an offgrid hut stay or a produce market)and actively working to regenerate the land that we are custodians of. 

Guardswell Farm: Shetland Cattle, Hebridean Sheep and Shropshire sheep, plus Angora Goats, Donkeys and hens. 

Steading: Multipurpose rural events space- hosting weddings, produce markets, craft workshops, business away days, cookery schools, yoga classes... plus many other things.

Huts + Houses: accommodation to suit the modern world escapee- 3 houses and 4 huts (2 of which are entirely offgrid). Perfect for those who fancy themselves running a micro-farm, switching off from their digital dependence and taking a deep breath of Perthshire air.

Diggers Fine Cider: Low intervention, natural cider- grown and made here on the farm 

Guardswell Grows: small scale, chemical free market garden stocking our Farmstand and local wholesale

WHERE DOES GUARDSWELL WANT TO GO…?

We are so bursting with ideas, and with each new addition to the roster of things we want to do on the farm, we need extra pairs of hands to make it all happen. The “Farm” side of the business is specifically focused on growing a direct retail brand for our meat, veg and cider- with the ultimate goal of selling mixed produce boxes to our surrounding area. At the moment, we direct retail our meat and veg to our local community, our guests on the farm and to a small number of local cafes and restaurants. 

AN INTRO TO THE ROLE

Having taken on full management of the land 4 years ago, we are now in a position where we require an extra pair of hands to help us with the day to day operations, and allow us more time to develop the retail business and focus energy back into the other parts of the whole business group. This is a really exciting move for us and we cant wait to have someone else on the team who shares our passion for actively regenerating our little slice of the Braes of the Carse whilst maintaining the highest levels of animal welfare and holistic land management. This is, in the first instance, a very varied role, as we scale up the farming business. A real chance to be part of the team from the start and really develop the direction- learning alongside us. 

ABOUT YOU

This role would suit someone with a true enthusiasm for purpose driven, mixed farming- entirely pasture based, regenerative, organic principles. Someone who perhaps wishes to gain experience across a number of areas. You should have a passion for regenerative systems and actively seeking to learn more about them, happy to work under organic principles, and have a calm and genuinely caring attitude towards the welfare of stock- we are proponents of very low stress systems. You should be practical and enjoy working outside throughout the year- in all weathers. Proactive and happy to muck in as part of a small team- occasionally in an emergency our housekeepers may help with escapee sheep- and there may be things they need a hand with once in a blue moon. 

We are ideally looking for someone with experience with livestock- and if you also have experience as a team member as part of a small farm or estate team, or horticultural team- then that would be great. We are looking for someone with the right mindset, enthusiasm and willingness to learn and are happy to spend time training the right individual if they are keen to learn. A level of comfort with cattle and machinery is required- even if more training is needed on the machinery front. 

WHAT IS THE JOB… ?

We are also near the start of our journey- so its a chance to join an enthusiastic family who themselves are also still learning and evolving. A lot of the past few years has been spend building better infrastructure around the farm- from handling systems to water systems. We are keen to take the next steps towards daily moves for our flerd and could do with a helping hand to make that happen. 

We are currently working with ca.45 head of Shetland Cattle (moving towards 60-80), 200-300 Hebridean + Shropshire Sheep, 30 hens and ca.15 Angora Goats. 

Where do we need help?

- Setting up and taking down poly wire fencing 

- Moving and setting up water troughs + assisting with water infrastructure projects

- Visually checking and assessing stock health, quickly identifying and treating ailments

- Moving stock between cells, moving towards daily moves

- Setting up handling systems 

- Helping with handling stock when required- for vet visits, blood testing, shearing etc.

- Cleaning out the chicken tractor, moving the tractor, chicken care and setting up new pens

- Assistance during calving, lambing and kidding inc help with tagging

- Mucking out goat and field shelters 

- Trimming goats hooves

- Helping create a composting system between the farm and the market garden

- Record keeping 

- Assisting during hay making

- Keeping areas clean, tidy and organised 

- Power washing trailers and machinery, basic maintenance of machinery

- Occasional assistance with market garden tasks that require more hands- e.g. bed building

- Seasonal help in the orchards- from pruning to harvest

- Setting up agroforestry systems across the farm- including hedging/hedgelaying/tree planting

- The confidence to “hold down the fort” during periods of holiday cover

- The ability to work safely- with a clear understanding of health and safety requirements

If you’d like to read a little more about the details of the role- click HERE