Pastured Pig & Vegetable Farm Crew

Bluebird Farm is accepting applications for its small farm crew in Morganton, North Carolina. Farmers Marie Williamson and William Lyons have spent more than 14 years developing a direct-market vegetable and livestock operation on family land. The farm grows about 50 vegetable varieties and keeps a four-sow, one-boar breeding herd that produces roughly 50 hogs each year through pasture rotation and a winter deep-bedding hoop-barn system. This role combines crop production with basic pig and livestock work. What you will do • Help prepare beds, fertilize, move tarps, transplant, cultivate, trellis, irrigate, scout pests, and harvest vegetables • Work at the pace and quality standard required by the harvest team • Wash, bag, organize, and store produce and pack customized vegetable and meat orders • Learn basic livestock chores and provide periodic coverage for pigs and other farm animals • Observe feed, water, fencing, bedding, animal behavior, and manure or compost conditions and report concerns • Assist at the Saturday farmers market and build toward leading a market shift when ready How the work fits together Bluebird's pig system and vegetable ground are connected through whole-farm compost made with deep-bedded hoop-barn material. Crew members may spend most of a day harvesting and packing, then shift to a trained livestock check or market preparation. The farm uses careful records, observation, and frequent communication to keep the right work moving at the right time. Everyone participates in some harvest, wash-shed, order-packing, and market work, while livestock responsibilities are introduced according to training and farm need. What the farm is looking for The farm wants people who can work quickly without losing attention to food safety, animal health, or crop quality. Applicants should be adaptable, reliable, comfortable receiving direct feedback, and able to work independently or with a small crew. Prior vegetable, pig, livestock, greenhouse, irrigation, wash-pack, direct-market, or farm-equipment experience should be explained, but the published structure includes both assistant and experienced grower levels. A working interview is preferred, and the farm asks for a substantial commitment from full-time applicants. Schedule, conditions, and compensation The maintained hiring record lists openings until filled, an eight-month or longer commitment for full-time positions, and some summer opportunities. Published compensation is $8–$10 per hour for assistant vegetable growers and $12–$13.50 per hour for experienced growers; because the applicable classification for a new applicant is not predetermined, the salary fields on this complimentary listing are left unpublished. Private housing with heat, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and laundry may be available. Other listed benefits include vegetables, limited eggs, employee meat pricing, earned sick and vacation time, and later SIMPLE IRA eligibility. This is an in-person agricultural position. Priorities can change with animal health, weather, crop condition, water quality, equipment availability, and harvest timing. The successful person must communicate clearly, protect animal welfare and food safety, and leave useful notes when a task or concern carries into the next shift. Gates, tools, vehicles, feed areas, water systems, and production spaces should be left clean, secure, and ready for the next person. Applicants should expect physical work that may include long periods of standing or walking, bending, lifting, repetitive hand tasks, wet or dusty conditions, and work outdoors or in agricultural buildings. Dependable arrival matters because livestock and living production systems cannot simply wait for a late shift. Candidates should confirm the exact weekly schedule, overtime treatment, training period, and benefit eligibility with the employer before accepting an offer. How to apply Email a resume and introduction to farmer@bluebirdfarmnc.com. Describe vegetable-production speed and experience, pigs or other livestock handled, wash-pack and market work, recordkeeping, preferred position level, housing needs, and the length of commitment you can make. Ask the farm to confirm which current role, wage tier, schedule, and remaining 2026 start date apply before arranging the preferred working interview.