Livestock Manager (Regenerative Farm) – Hungry World Farm, Illinois
Full-Time | $28,000–$42,000/year (annual package includes on-farm housing/utilities/food value)
Start Date: Oct/Dec 2025 – Mar 2026
Help build a livestock operation that restores the land, feeds people, and models a better way to farm.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a hands-on, mission-driven Livestock Manager who wants to build something deeply meaningful—on the land and in community. You’re not just good with animals; you’re good with people. You know how to move a flock or herd efficiently, you think about the why, and you enjoy sharing what you’re learning with guests and volunteers.
This is a leadership role: plan and execute a regenerative, multi-species livestock system that’s good for soil, animals, people, and the planet. You’ll join a small, close-knit team that values collaboration, communication, and hard work. Mid-career candidates ready to put a vision into practice—and earlier-career candidates hungry for responsibility and growth—are encouraged to apply.
About Hungry World Farm
Hungry World Farm is a 175-acre nonprofit regenerative farm in Tiskilwa, Illinois. Our mission is to cultivate healthier people and a healthier planet through:
- Growing nutrient-dense, chemical-free food
- Restoring ecosystems across forest, prairie, pasture, and soil
- Inspiring & educating people through immersive farmstays and hands-on learning
We host thousands of overnight guests annually and are expanding workshops, volunteer opportunities, and visible working examples of how food, ecology, and people flourish together. Our enterprise areas include livestock, agroforestry, market gardening, hospitality, and education.
We’re in startup mode—refining how each enterprise connects to mission and building 3-, 5-, and 10-year goals across our 4Es: Ecosystem, Economics, Engagement, Entity (organizational capacity). The Livestock Manager will be key in shaping and advancing that vision.
Culture & Community
We believe the work is sustainable only if the culture is. We’re not a corporate environment; we’re a values-based farm community where people matter, diversity is welcomed, and relationships are as important as responsibilities. People thrive here when they:
- Care deeply about the mission and the land
- Enjoy building meaningful connections with their team
- Want both freedom to lead and responsibility to deliver
- Show up cheerful, generous, and open to growth
We check in, say thank you, celebrate wins, and pitch in when it’s hard. Living on-farm, you’ll participate in team-building processes that help us learn, understand one another, and practice living and working well together. This role is ideal for someone living on-farm, possibly with a partner involved in another enterprise.
Livestock Systems & Enterprise Goals
You will design, implement, and grow a regenerative livestock enterprise that balances ecosystem health, food production, and profitability, integrating livestock into silvopasture, prairie edges, and forest paddocks.
Current Foundation
- 7 Red Devon beef cattle (100% grass-fed; calm temperament)
- ~50 hair sheep (Katahdin/Dorper crosses) for pasture and forest honeysuckle control
- Pastured egg layers integrated into grazing rotations
- Ongoing conversion of pastures to silvopasture; plans to graze sheep in forest edges
Exploration / Expansion Areas
- Integrated poultry–orchard systems (meat birds or dual-purpose breeds)
- Rotational pigs in forest-edge silvopasture
- Additional small ruminants for targeted grazing or niche products
Collaboration: You’ll work closely with the Land Stewardship team to integrate livestock into multifunctional landscapes and guest-visible learning spaces.
Your Role
This is a leadership position responsible for the vision, planning, execution, and continuous improvement of our livestock program.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and implement holistic grazing plans (multi-species, adaptive, rest periods)
- Manage daily animal care (feed, water, moves, health checks, records)
- Oversee infrastructure (fencing, shelters, water systems, mobile coops)
- Plan breeding, birthing, flock/herd growth, and culling
- Coordinate poultry and egg production systems
- Ensure animal welfare and compliance with health/safety standards
- Support product handling (slaughter coordination, egg washing, freezer stock)
- Collaborate with the Executive Director on planning, budgeting, and marketing
- Provide visibility to guests and volunteers as systems become a public-facing educational model
Cross-Team Collaboration
- Executive Director – ecosystem health, business, marketing, education planning
- Facilities Manager – infrastructure support
- Farmstay Team – guest visibility and safety
- Agroforester – silvopasture/forest integration; educational tie-ins
- Homestead Animal Manager – high-visibility guest animal experiences
What You Bring
Required
- Hands-on experience with at least one livestock species (multi-species preferred)
- Familiarity with regenerative/holistic management (e.g., Savory, Gabe Brown, Salatin)
- Ability to work independently, make good decisions, and ask for help when needed
- Respectful, teachable, collaborative attitude
- Willingness to do physical labor in all weather
Preferred
- Grazing planning and paddock design
- Fencing systems, low-stress handling, livestock health
- Direct-to-consumer meat/egg sales familiarity
- Experience living/serving in mission-based or intentional communities
Position Details
- Start Date: Flexible, Oct 2025 – Mar 2026
- Status: Full-time, year-round salaried (PT may be possible if paired with Homestead Animals, Agroforestry, or Facilities & Maintenance)
- Pay: Total compensation valued at $29,120–$41,600 annually (approx. $14–$20/hr equivalent), depending on role, experience, and housing
- With housing provided: Cash wages typically $14–$17/hr, with housing, utilities, internet, and food access bringing the package to $14–$20/hr
- Without housing: Cash wages typically $15–$19/hr (to ensure fairness with housing-inclusive roles)
- Schedule: Seasonal flex; weekends and rotating duties (animal checks/guest services) as needed
- Housing: On-farm housing available/preferred for FT roles (valued $600–$1,200/month; non-taxable; includes utilities/internet)
Benefits
- Healthshare option (Healthcare.gov may apply depending on family size)
- Retirement contributions (starting year 2)
- 2 weeks paid vacation; mid-season break encouraged
- Deep connection to land, purpose, and people
How to Apply
Send a short email including: (1) a note about your experience and interest, (2) your resume (or bullet points of work history), and (3) any questions.
Email: hungryworldfarm@gmail.com
Mail: P.O. Box 297, Tiskilwa, IL 61368
Phone: (815) 200-8688