This is a FANTASTIC opportunity!
Hi! We are Lolly & Eric Clough, owners of Valais Dream Ranch & Retreat, which is our small homestead ranch on 19 acres in West Tennessee. We breed and raise Swiss Valais Blacknose sheep (a.k.a. the "World's Cutest Sheep!") and currently have 4 ewes and 6 adorable lambs! All of our animals are free-range, including our sheep, goats, mini donkey, mini horse, chickens, turkeys, and ducks. (We have dogs, cats, and bunnies, too! :) We've started a petting zoo, as well as campsites for visitors to stay and experience our wonderful animals and property.
We are very easy to get along with, and both have a great sense of humor. We love to reward those who go above and beyond for us! Should the situation work out like we hope, we're willing to set up some type of tiny housing on the property for the right person to provide additional space and privacy.
DAILY TASKS:
All daily tasks might take an accumulated total of only 2-3 hours of work per day, with an occasional longer project here and there that we'll need help with. Realistically, the farm hand could get a second part-time job as well if they wanted to, depending on the hours.
Farm hand will be responsible for daily care of animals and facility maintenance, including, but not limited to:
- Daily feeding and watering of all inside and outside animals (approx. 30min)
- Refreshing all water stations (if dirty, replace with fresh water, if low but clean, top off)
- Daily turnout of all penned animals (5 minutes)
- Daily cleaning of stalls, coops, pens, and cages (When kept up with daily, maybe 30min)
- Observation of animals and their overall health
- Assist with planting, watering, maintenance, and harvesting of garden and/or greenhouse (seasonally, maybe an hour/day)
- Collecting eggs daily (15 minutes)
- Assist in the construction/repair of various projects/structures (i.e., sheds, coops, fencing, pens, etc. which would consist of maybe 1-3 projects/year)
- Assist with administering medications to the animals (occasionally, as needed, takes only a few minutes per animal)
- Assist with lambing (once in spring, once in fall, length of time depends)
- Holding sheep for shearing and hoof trimming (twice/year, takes a couple hours, not difficult)
- Grocery shopping or other errands.
- Other duties and responsibilities as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Must be HONEST AND TRUSTWORTHY.
Must be self-motivated, proactive, and self-managed.
Must be kind, love, and respect animals, have a great attitude, and be willing to take instruction from both a male and female.
Experience with farm animals, farm management and farm equipment, and an understanding of equipment maintenance preferred (i.e., chainsaws, oil for tractor and equipment, ATV basic maintenance, basic knowledge of diesel and unleaded gasoline for equipment, etc.)
Must know how to drive a tractor, drive and work lawn mowers, ATVs, pulling trailers (or be a quick learner).
Should know basic maintenance of farm equipment and always be conscientious of safety standards when using/fixing any equipment or machinery.
Absolutely no smoking, drinking of alcoholic beverages, or taking any illegal substances of any kind.
Must be clean and tidy, and pick up/clean up after yourself.
Must have a clean valid driver's license, as well as a registered and insured vehicle in good working condition.
Must have no criminal history.
Must agree to a background check.
BENEFITS:
Free housing, (includes furnished bedroom w/ queen bed and bedding, dresser, closet, new large screen TV with many channels, including Netflix, Prime, etc., and shared full bath) free utilities, (includes water, electric, gas, high speed internet, cell phone coverage) all food/groceries provided, full use of kitchen, washer, dryer, etc., plus bi-weekly compensation of $200. Additional benefits may be provided based on performance.
