Some Basic Details...
Who we are
Meadow Creek Dairy is a seasonal grazing dairy producing award-winning raw milk artisanal cheeses in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. For over a quarter-century, we have worked to create rich mountain pastures, the sturdy, healthy cattle that would thrive on them, and finally the cheeses that would compliment both.
We are committed to a sustainable system that matches the natural cycle of the pastures to the natural cycle of the cows. However, making cheese from seasonal milk does have unique challenges that have shaped the characteristics of our cheeses. Over the years we have honed our craft to create a truly unique catalogue of cheeses which change with the seasons.
None of this would have been possible without a great deal of hard work and dedication. Over the years, we’ve grown to be less a team than a community, with over half of us living on the farm itself. This April will mark our 36th year of farming and our 26th season of cheesemaking. We are an evolving business looking for new challenges: join us!
Where we are
Our home county of Grayson has some of the most stunning scenery in Virginia from Mt Rogers(the tallest mountain in the state) to the New River(the oldest river in the country). There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails, canoe, kayaking, mountain bike trails, and the Blue Ridge Parkway to access all we have to offer. It is an hour drive from the larger cities of Winston Salem and Blacksburg, as well as Charlotte and Roanoke. While our little town is not the most exciting, it has a lot to offer, including one of the lowest costs of living in the state.
Who We're Looking For
Enthusiastic workers with an interest in challenging their knowledge and learning new skills, a willingness to handle physically rigorous and hands-on tasks, and a dedication to both personal achievement and the team’s success.
Our ideal candidate is passionate, disciplined, and has a strong interest in learning. They take pride in their work and are willing to go above and beyond to achieve excellence. They work well under the pressure of a production environment and have good time management skills; they are resilient and able to adapt to changing circumstances.An ability to work in a team environment is essential; prior experience with food safety standards is a plus.
All positions start in spring and go through December, when contracts will be reviewed. Benefits for permanent employees include paid vacation time and full health insurance.
Current Positions
Cheesemake Trainee 2024
An opportunity to develop and expand cheesemaking skills and garner experience with raw, seasonal, grass-based milk. As a trainee in the cheeseroom you will assist the cheesemakers in all aspects of make, from production to quality management to managing the cleanliness of the cheeseroom.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
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Setting up the cheeseroom for daily makes
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Assisting cheesemakers during makes
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Daily breakdown and cleanup
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Assistance in the aging cellars, shipping, and general cheesehouse tasks as required
QUALIFICATIONS
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Able to lift up to 50 lbs and work in a humid environment
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Must have reliable transportation
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Capable of working as part of a team
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Able to pay attention to detail
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Food handling experience preferred
Skills you’ll take away from this job:
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The fundamentals of making cheese with seasonal raw milk
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Experience with food science, the principles of sanitation, and HAACP
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An understanding of small-scale dairy processing
Please note that due to the nature of our product, Meadow Creek Dairy is a tobacco-free facility.
All Meadow Creek Dairy staff members have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Applicants should either be vaccinated or have an appointment to be vaccinated to be considered for employment.
Pay starts at $13/hr; on farm housing may be available to trainees. This is a full time position running from April 2024 - November 2024, with opportunities for ongoing employment for suitable candidates.
Interested in this job? Send your cover letter and resume to jobs@meadowcreekdairy.com!
Cheesehouse Intern 2024
As cheesehouse intern you will assist in all aspects of cheese production: the cheeseroom itself, in our aging facilities, and in our shipping and receiving department. We have several positions available and as candidates show interest and ability in particular areas they will be promoted up into more specific jobs.
SKILLS YOU’LL TAKE AWAY FROM THIS JOB
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The fundamentals of making and aging cheese with seasonal raw milk
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Experience with food science, the principles of sanitation, and HACCP
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An understanding of the importance of detail in a production setting
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Ability to see the whole picture and pick up whatever job most needs doing
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
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Assisting cheesemakers in daily production of cheese, including set-up and put-away
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Maintaining washed and natural rind cheeses through their aging cycle
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Daily cleaning and sanitation of cheesehouse and cheesemaking equipment as required by the food safety plan
QUALIFICATIONS
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Able to lift up to 50 lbs, and work in a humid environment
-
Must have reliable transportation
-
Capable of working as part of a team
-
Able to pay attention to detail
-
Food handling experience preferred
Please note that due to the nature of our product, Meadow Creek Dairy is a tobacco-free facility.
All Meadow Creek Dairy staff members have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Applicants should either be vaccinated or have an appointment to be vaccinated to be considered for employment.
Pay: $12-$13 per hour
Interested in this job? Send your cover letter and resume to jobs@meadowcreekdairy.com!