Organic Dairy Assistant Herd Manager

Overview: Mayday Farm is a 350-acre organic dairy farm in Leeds, Maine. We currently milk 40 cows for Stonyfield Organic and are actively expanding to an 80-cow herd. Our farm is built around rotational grazing, high-quality grass forage production, and thoughtful organic dairy management. We currently milk in a tie-stall barn and are preparing for an exciting transition to a new freestall and parlor system in 2026.

We are looking for a full-time Assistant Herd Manager to join our team. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with livestock, wants to build management skills, and is excited to be part of a growing organic dairy farm.

In this role, you will work directly with the farm owners and help with daily herd care, milking, feeding, grazing, recordkeeping, and seasonal farm work. There is room to grow into more responsibility over time.

What this job offers

• Full-time, year-round position
• Standard 40-hour work week
• Additional hours available during busy seasons
• $18–$24/hour depending on experience
• Opportunity to grow into a higher-responsibility role
• $500 annual professional development stipend after 3 months
• $100 annual boot stipend
• Hands-on experience in organic dairy management, grazing, and herd care
• Opportunity to be part of a farm transitioning to a new freestall and parlor system

Main responsibilities

• Independently manage milking shifts, including setup, cleanup, and responding to cow needs
• Assist with herd health checks and daily animal care
• Feed stored forages and help manage rations for different cow groups
• Bed stalls, clean the barn, and maintain milk room sanitation
• Help manage rotational grazing, including setting paddocks and recording rotations
• Assist with herd records, including calving dates, heat detection, herd check results, and treatments
• Help with manure handling, spreading, seeding, harvesting, clipping, and seasonal field work
• Assist with repairs, infrastructure projects, machinery maintenance, and general farm upkeep

Advanced responsibilities for higher pay

• Confident operation of skid steers, loader tractors, tillage tools, and harvesting equipment
• Use of DairyComp 305 for herd records and reporting
• Breeding support, heat detection, and reproductive management
• Use of CowManager data in daily herd decisions
• Feeding adjustments based on forage quality, pasture conditions, and stage of lactation
• Troubleshooting basic equipment issues and supporting safe equipment use

Qualifications

• Previous agricultural experience with livestock handling required
• Dependable, organized, and willing to learn
• Strong observation skills and attention to detail
• Comfortable working outdoors in changing conditions
• Able to lift 50 pounds and perform physical farm work
• Willing to work some nights, weekends, and longer hours during busy seasons
• Interested in growing into more responsibility over time

Compensation

• $18–$20/hour for core responsibilities
• $21–$24/hour for candidates with stronger experience or those able to take on advanced responsibilities

To apply

Email mayday@maydayfarm.com with:

• a short introduction about yourself
• your interest in the position
• your resume, if you have one

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $100 - $500