Farm Operations Leader

Lucky Ewe is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) based in North East Fife. We give people with additional support needs of any kind the chance to experience rural work; farming, animal husbandry and food production at a pre-entry level. Interns coming to Lucky Ewe are not yet ready to enter a workplace for various reasons, but they are willing and eager to try and learn.

Our ethos is to hold our interns, volunteers and, indeed, everyone who participates at the farm, in a positive light, acknowledge their successes and help them develop self-confidence and the ability for self-reflection.

Currently we rent land at a smallholding near New Gilston for our small flock of dairy sheep, our chickens and some vegetable, with additional grazing at Cupar Muir and Giffordtown. Farm operations will continue on this land for the time being.

In the future, Lucky Ewe will expand operations at a 26 ha publicly owned site near Cupar. The new holding will allow us to increase our dairy sheep flock to a size closer to the commercial norm, expand to include other livestock and enable us to produce fodder and cereal crops, honey, hard and soft fruits, eggs and vegetables. In addition, biodiversity improvement and adopting organic systems will help us address carbon targets.
- Secure the Health and Safety on the farm, for staff, interns, volunteers and visitors.
- Manage our animals, especially sheep welfare to the highest Scottish standards, including nutrition and health, breeding, lambing, milking, foot care, shearing, record keeping etc
- Lead the Lucky Ewe team, staff members and volunteers, maintaining an excellent working atmosphere.
- Take responsibility for the operational part of our growth plan by:

- Planning the removal to the new site
- Developing organic systems on the farm and working towards organic registration
- Improving grassland management
- Planning vegetable, fruit and horticultural production
- Undertaking biodiversity audits, habitat construction and nature conservation
- Work together with the board of trustees and other stakeholders to create a successful and productive farm, offering a purpose-built learning environment for our interns and volunteers
- We are looking for a progressive-thinking applicant to take the running of the farm forward and deal with the future opportunities and developments.
- **Qualifications**:_
- a minimum of 5 years’ of experience working in livestock, particularly with sheep and dairying; a good knowledge of arable and fruit production; an agricultural degree or similar
- a regenerative farming mind-set and operational experience including farm machinery
- managerial experience with excellent people and communication skills, and knowledge of contracting
- desire to take a proactive role in Lucky Ewe’s future and a desire to see the charity flourish
- a positive outcome from Disclosure Scotland, section 52, the Protection of Vulnerable Groups
- **Working Hours & remuneration**:_
- **Job Type**:_Part time, 25 hours, with a possibility of more
- **Rate of pay**:_ £16 per hour

At Lucky Ewe, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace in an environment where collaboration, unique perspectives and kindness are celebrated. We are passionate about people who take pride in their work and support a healthy & sustainable environment.

**Job Type**: Part-time
Part-time hours: 25 per week

**Salary**: £16.00 per hour

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Leven: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 05/05/2023