Job Description
Farm Steward or Couple -- Live-In Position Wild Wonder Farm South Woodstock, Vermont Strong solo candidates also considered About Wild Wonder Farm Wild Wonder Farm is a 140-acre diversified family homestead nestled in the hills of South Woodstock, Vermont -- less than ten minutes from Woodstock village, named by Cond Nast Traveler as the most beautiful small town in America. Over the past three years, we've transformed this Vermont hill farm into a working homestead that now provides nearly all of our family's food:100% of our protein (beef, pork, chicken, eggs, and trout), 100% of our sweetener (maple syrup and honey), and a growing abundance of vegetables, fruits, and herbs.The land itself is a gift -- multiple ponds including a stocked trout pond, views across the valley, dark skies brilliant with stars, sunrises over distant mountains, acres of wild berries, a seasonal brook, and miles of trails winding through meadow and forest.Our sugarbush is tapped each spring by a neighbor; our bees are tended by a partner beekeeper.We've planted hundreds of fruit and nut trees and established a perennial food forest that will feed families for generations.The farm operates on a permaculture paradigm -- holistic, regenerative, and rooted in working with natural systems rather than against them.We're not looking for someone to help us start.We're looking for someone to help us continue -- to steward what we've built, carry it forward with care, and put their own stamp on this next chapter.The Opportunity We're seeking a dedicated steward couple (or an exceptional solo steward) to operate the farm Monday through Friday as true partners in this work.This is a live-in position with private housing provided.Our goal is to raise 80% of our family's calories on-site, with modest surplus shared with friends and community.This is a homestead, not a commercial operation -- we want people who see this as a way of life, not just a job.What success looks like:The farm runs independently Monday-Friday without dependency on the family Animals are healthy and well-managed; gardens are productive; systems improve over time Winter is productive -- projects completed, infrastructure improved, spring readiness achieved The property feels cared-for and beautiful year-round The Housing Your home will be a charming two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage with hardwood floors, a wood-burning fireplace, and a private porch.The cottage connects via a tackroom to our four-stall barn (used for storage, brooding, and workshop space) and adjoins a quaint potting shed -- your hub for garden work and seed starting.Utilities are included.Washer and dryer provided.Baseline Farm Systems Livestock Cattle:maintain herd at 6-7 head (rotational grazing, winter hay/bale management) Pigs:2-6 seasonally Meat birds:100-200/year (1-2 batches) Laying hens:30 (with annual replenishment plan) Turkeys:4-10 (Thanksgiving-focused) Crops & Perennials -acre production garden (potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, garlic, squash, tomatoes, beans -- storage crops and freezer staples) Kitchen garden (greens, herbs, continuous harvest) Orchards and berry plantings (apples, pears, and an abundance of berries -- maintenance and harvest) Open to expanding (if you bring the interest and skill):Rabbits, sheep, or goats Mushroom cultivation (log-grown shiitake -- winter project) Micro-scale dairy (a family cow for milk, butter, cheese) Already handled externally:Maple sugaring (neighbor partnership) Bees (partner beekeeper) Role Structure for Couples We envision two program owners, but for the right couple a lead and helper structure would also be considered.For two program owners, the below represents a potential breakdown of Responsibilities:Program Owner A -- Livestock & Infrastructure Cattle:rotational grazing, fencing readiness, mineral/water systems, winter feeding (including bale moves with tractor) Pigs:seasonal setup, shelter, moves, feed management, processing coordination Poultry infrastructure:tractors, shelters, predator-proofing, brooder systems Equipment:tractor and UTV readiness, basic maintenance Winter access:paths, steps, walkways cleared; occasional tractor bucket snow work Program Owner B -- Grower, Poultry & Preservation Crop planning and garden execution (planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvest) Storage crop systems:curing, root cellaring, freezer/pantry organization Egg program:flock health, production, annual replenishment Kitchen garden:continuous harvest for family use Orchard and berry maintenance:pruning support, mulching, harvest coordination Landscaping:Routine mowing and trimming ( 1 acre around buildings) using provided zero-turn mower and trimmer.Plowing is contracted; steward provides emergency backup only.Winter Workbank Winter is lighter on daily chores but rich with project work.Examples:Firewood:buck, split, stack (we're exploring wood heat for the cottage) Poultry infrastructure:build chicken tractors