The Ranch
The Switchback Ranch is located near Roscoe, MT. This is the base property and main ranch headquarters. Additionally we have two properties in Wyoming. One is near Clark and the other is a mountain property with US Forest allotments spanning from Clark to the Beartooth Highway. The Wyoming units primarily run yearling cattle. The Roscoe unit is comprised of the core cow herds and yearlings, as well as stockers. As an Apprentice, you will primarily work in Roscoe. However, you will also have exposure to the units in Wyoming.
Regenerative Practices
We are in the process of expanding infrastructure for managed grazing. Our focus in the coming year is to shrink pasture sizes and improve grazes throughout the ranch. This entails temporary electric fence and good stockmanship. This is a large property and the transition into regenerative agriculture is currently underway. This entails consolidating herds and moving herds much more quickly throughout the ranch. During this time, we are in a state of temporary fence and water development. The apprentice will be an integral part of this transition and will be exposed to lots of trial and error as we develop permanent infrastructure and move the needle on range improvements.
The Mentor
aaron Paulson
Aaron is passionate about range management, grazing and stockmanship, and continual improvement of the team. It’s important to bring everybody to the same level through education and experience. We have a great crew that will help guide a new apprentice, and expand their horizons. Aaron has worked on several ranches throughout southern Montana and gained experiences valuable to moving the Switchback into the next stage of Regenerative Agriculture. Aaron took on the ag manager role in 2024. The apprentice will work directly with Aaron as well as the full-time crew on a day-to-day basis. Key team members on the ag operation are Scott Arnold, Chase Anderson, Hannah Anderson and Jimmy Basso. Each of these people has a great depth of knowledge you will have the ability to gain when working alongside them.
The Apprentice
What will an apprentice do?
The apprentice will help in all aspects of day-to-day Ranch work. This will include permanent and temporary fence, irrigation, equipment, operation and maintenance, moving cattle on horseback, on foot, and on ATV, and haying as well as many other experiences. The scale and complexity of the ranch will offer a great deal of diversity for experiences throughout the season. The work will primarily be focused in Roscoe, however, there will be opportunities necessary to go help on the mountain with cattle on US Forest allotments and also on the desert in Clark, Wyoming.
What skills and traits are required in an apprentice?
We require that the candidate has a positive can-do attitude, and willingness to always be open minded and think forward. We ask that everyone work together as a team, and always think outside the box and for new ways to improve our practices. The apprentice will need to have ATV experience, light equipment experience, a valid drivers license and clean, driving record. Prior knowledge and experience in fencing and livestock management is helpful. We are willing to train the right candidate on some of these skills, however, the person must come with an open mind and willingness to learn and be a team player. The job is physical and requires the ability to work outside in all weather conditions. It also requires strength and endurance for climbing, steep hills, spending hours on a horse in rough terrain, riding ATVs in difficult, terrain, and working long hours to complete the job. Experience with fencing and temporary electric fence, as well as flood irrigation is helpful. The apprentice will work alone often, and will need to be a self starter and follow directions. It’s also very important to be safety conscious and a good communicator.
Skills that An Apprentice would expect to acquire:
- Operation of all equipment on the ranch, including trucks, trailers, atv’s, and tractors.
- Grazing planning and implementation
- Flood irrigation and ditch maintenance
- Understanding the beef business
- Building maintenance
Nuts & Bolts
Start Date: March 15-April 1, 2025
Length of Apprenticeship: 8 months
Stipend: $16/hour. Due to the seasonal nature, 401k and Health Insurance are not included.
General expected work hours: 5-6 days a week 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m with lunch. During certain times we will start earlier and later in the day. You will also get a two day weekend occasionally.
Housing: We have a one bedroom apartment available on the Ranch. It is brand new and under construction, pictures will be available at the time of interviews.
Laundry: Washer and dryer will be available in the apartment.
Internet and cell service: Cell phone service is fairly good throughout the Ranch for Verizon. You will be provided the Wi-Fi through Starlink at your apartment.
Time off: In general, you will receive 1-2 day per week off, TBD. during busy times for receiving and moving cattle, and haying the schedule may vary.
Visitors and family policy: Housing is for the apprentice only, there will be no extra people allowed to live with the apprentice for the duration of the apprenticeship unless previously approved. Visitors are welcome as long as you communicate ahead of time, and we ensure the timing works out for ranch operations.
Food: Meals are not provided by the ranch. You will be responsible for your own meals.
Pets: Pets will be permitted on a case by case basis with prior approval.
Tobacco & Acohol: No smoking. Drinking is not tolerated at work and it will be cause for immediate removal. Marijuana use is not permitted on the ranch.
Health Insurance: Health insurance is not provided.
Ranch Vehicles: We will provide vehicles for work use. A valid driver’s license and a clean driving record for use of work vehicles is required. Some of the trucks are manual shift so you must know or be willing to learn to drive one.
Personal Vehicle: We will provide a work vehicle for Ranch duties.
Additional items an apprentice should bring: The apartment will be furnished. You will need to bring your own bedding and towels and personal items. Specific details can be covered prior to your arrival.
Living at The Switchback Ranch: We are located 25 miles west of Red Lodge, MT and 60 miles from Billings, MT. These will both provide services for groceries and any necessary items for living. You will be living in a portion of the ranch that is distant from headquarters. The closest town for amenities to your living quarters is Absarokee, MT. Day-to-day work will require travel from your house to various parts of the ranch either in a pick up or a ATV.
Quivira Coalition Activities: This apprenticeship is offered through Quivira Coalition’s New Agrarian Program. The full cohort of apprentices on regenerative ranches and farms across the west will attend an April orientation, participate in supplemental education Zoom calls, complete skills checklists with their mentors, and attend the annual REGENERATE Conference in November. Apprentices are also required to write several reports during their apprenticeship that will be posted in the New Agrarian Voices blog on the Quivira website.