Montana Farm Jobs – Harvest and Seasonal Work
The high-plains of Eastern Montana provide ideal environments for agriculture to thrive. Flat land and modern irrigation methods enable agriculture to rank as the top industry in the state. The two major commodities produced in Montana, wheat and cattle, serve as testaments to the history of the area nicknamed Big Sky Country as part of the American Frontier, when settlers looking for respite from the crowding eastern colonies and territories moved west and found free-range cattle and semi-arid conditions in which only grains originally grew.
Around 28,000 farms comprise the Montana agricultural industry, which encompasses roughly 66% (or 59,700,000 acres) out of approximately 94,000,000 total acres of land. Of the total farms in the state, nearly 10,000 consist of 1,000 or more acres. According to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, one out of every six persons employed in The Treasure State farms or maintains a farming-related job.
Livestock and grain farming provide the largest and widest selections of agricultural employment in Montana. The state ranks first in the country in terms of certified-organic wheat and lentil production, and among the top ten for more than a dozen other commodities, including flaxseed, barley, honey, alfalfa hay, garbanzo beans, and beef calves. Collectively, farms produce nearly 200,000,000 bushels of wheat each year, which requires large teams of employees able to operate heavy agricultural equipment and export the crop to various markets. Ranching operations boast over 2.5 million head of cattle, which more than doubles the entire state population (1,023,000 million). On such large scales, both types of agriculture offer excellent opportunities for farmhands, migrant workers, and fruit and vegetable pickers to find meaningful and lucrative jobs.
The State of Montana agricultural industry flourishes in spite of climates featuring limited precipitation. On average, most of Big Sky Country receives between 14 and 16 inches of precipitation per annum, excluding the mountainous western regions characterized by the Rocky Mountains, which often receive as much as 50 inches of precipitation a year. Many of the areas to the east of the territory remain arid and desert-like. Farming operations in the east require specialized methods to sustain successful production of crops and livestock. Dry farming and major irrigation campaigns remain integral and render the otherwise unusable lands fruitful, expansive, and of great value to the state gross domestic product.
However, Montana features harsh contrasts in weather between warm and cold seasons. In areas under 4,000 ft. above sea level, temperatures remain much cooler than the arid plains regions. During the winter, average temperatures remain in the low 20s throughout the state, while summer temperatures for eastern counties average between 60 and 80 degrees. The mountainous regions experience temperatures 10 to 20 degrees cooler during the summer. Ironically, the mountains retain vegetation much better than the plains regions due to the nearly five-fold difference in annual precipitation and widespread presence of evergreens, which remain live year-round.
Some of the largest commercial agricultural outfits operating in The Treasure State include massive cattle ranches like Broken O Ranch in Augusta, MT, and Mission Ranch in Livingston, MT. Ranches employ dozens of farmhands to drive, roundup, and brand cattle as well as manage small farms within the giant properties, which sometimes reach in excess of 100,000 acres. Commercial farms also need dedicated workers to pick fruits and vegetables. Picking jobs and employment as cattle herders offer pay scales around the national industry median, which sits at $69,000 a year. Entry-level farmhands may earn piece-rate salary options, which vary based on duration of service. Consult the list below to find more information about farming jobs available in the Montana agricultural industry:
Montana Job Listings: Jobs 1 thru 25 of 375 results.
Construction Laborer
Bauer Blanton, LLC - Three Forks, MT
Job Description: General Laborer- We are always looking for individuals who have a background in farming, mechanics, logging, under ground construction, above ground…read more.
Bauer Blanton, LLC 30+ days ago
Seasonal Fence Laborer
ADAMS FAIRACRE FARMS - Power, MT
Job Description: Job responsibilities as a Fence Laborer include digging, carrying and moving materials and other various manual labor tasks.read more.
ADAMS FAIRACRE FARMS 30+ days ago
Research Agronomist
Cargill - Great Falls, MT
Job Description: Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or related field. +3 years in the Agriculture industry with small plot trial management and nursery research experience.read more.
Cargill 30+ days ago
Farm Equipment Operator
Kleeman Ranch - Montana
Job Description: Passionate about the agriculture industry, or have relatable skills and looking to get into farming. Operate farm and heavy equipment for seeding, haying,…read more.
Kleeman Ranch 30+ days ago
Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology Non-Tenure Track Faculty (Applicant Pool)
Montana State University - Bozeman, MT
Job Description: The Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology is administered by the College of Agriculture and has about 30 faculty members. Degree in a relevant field.read more.
Montana State University 9 months ago
Barista and Cook I (Applicant Pool) **Updated**
Montana State University - Bozeman, MT
Job Description: The division is comprised of 2 residential dining halls, 9 retail operations, Brick Breeden Fieldhouse and Bobcat Stadium Concessions, Fork in the Road food…read more.
Montana State University 30+ days ago
Office Automation Clerk
US Department of Agriculture - Harlowton, MT
Job Description: This position is located within a National Forest. The primary purpose of this position is to perform clerical and office automation duties in support of the…read more.
US Department of Agriculture 6 days ago
Farm Worker
Isotex Health, LLC - Choteau, MT - new
Job Description: Workers needed in our fields in Montana - several locations. The work will last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months with the possibility of a full-time…read more.
Isotex Health, LLC 3 days ago
Assistant Cheesemaker
Lifeline Farm - Victor, MT
Job Description: Assist with milk bottling, cheesemaking, cleaning and retail sales for busy creamery. This Company Describes Its Culture as:read more.
Lifeline Farm 21 days ago
Team Member
Tractor Supply Company - Lewistown, MT
Job Description: Farming, ranching, pet/equine, or welding knowledge is strongly preferred. Retail experience and/or farming, ranching, pet/equine, or welding knowledge is…read more.
Tractor Supply Company 9 months ago
Shipping and Receiving
Go Fast Campers - Belgrade, MT
Job Description: You will be responsible for performing an array of duties such as receiving and processing incoming stock and materials, picking and filling orders from stock,…read more.
Go Fast Campers 5 days ago
Licensed Office Assistant
Farm Bureau Financial Services - Hamilton, MT
Job Description: Are you looking for a career in an established, local business? Can you provide exceptional customer service, making clients a top priority?read more.
Farm Bureau Financial Services 13 days ago
Program Coordinator - Individual Placement Programs
Montana Conservation Corps - Bozeman, MT - new
Job Description: College degree (B.A./B.S.), preferably in administration/business, watershed, agriculture, environment, or education related field.read more.
Montana Conservation Corps 2 days ago
Energy Program Assistant
National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) - Butte, MT
Job Description: NCAT’s work includes nationally recognized projects in energy, agriculture, and food. The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a private non…read more.
National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) 30+ days ago
Community Reporter
Glendive Ranger-Review - Glendive, MT
Job Description: Joining our news team means the opportunity to gain a wide range of experiences covering local news in a small but dynamic transportation, agriculture and…read more.
Glendive Ranger-Review 30+ days ago
Wind Technician-South Peak
GE Renewable Energy - Montana
Job Description: As the Wind Technician at the South Peak Wind Farm, you will: Ability to work with a wide variety of personnel at all levels inside and outside of the Wind Farm…read more.
GE Renewable Energy 30+ days ago
General Laborer
Century Companies - Lewistown, MT
Job Description: General labor duties as assigned. Full Time Seasonal/Part Time Seasonal. Position involves providing backup duties to Parts and Inventory Manager including:read more.
Century Companies 10 months ago
Energy Corps - Sustainability Educator
National Center for Appropriate Technologies - Whitefish, MT
Job Description: Knowledgeable on farm and greenhouse management. Sustainable agriculture, forestry, energy systems, and facilities. Name and location of host site:read more.
National Center for Appropriate Technologies 30+ days ago
Administrative Assistant
JCCS, P.C. - Whitefish, MT - new
Job Description: Maintains petty cash and expense logs, handles faxing, scanning & assistance to clients when picking up their returns. We look for people who want to grow;read more.
JCCS, P.C. 3 days ago
Experienced Server
Montana Ale Works - Bozeman, MT
Job Description: Educational opportunities at local farms, ranches, breweries and distilleries. We are currently looking for energetic, passionate, engaged, motivated, hard…read more.
Montana Ale Works 30+ days ago
Feedlot Coordinator
NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH - Havre, MT
Job Description: The Farm and Ranch Foreman*will work with Livestock Operations Manager and Farm Operations Manager to will help maintain, operate and repair research equipment …read more.
NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 24 days ago
Equipment Sales Representative
Frontline Ag Solutions - Lewistown, MT
Job Description: Knowledge of agricultural or turf equipment and farming or operational practices preferred. Store Manager or Sales Manager. 1+ years equipment sales experience.read more.
Frontline Ag Solutions 12 days ago
Barn Manager
The Ranch at Rock Creek - Philipsburg, MT
Job Description: Manage Full-Time and Seasonal employees. Hiring of seasonal staff for the barn department. With great knowledge of horses and being extremely guest oriented,…read more.
The Ranch at Rock Creek 27 days ago
UM Dining Temporary Employee
University of Montana - Missoula, MT
Job Description: We commit to local, regional, and global environmental stewardship through sustainable business practices and agricultural economic development in Montana…read more.
University of Montana 30+ days ago
Mosquito Abatement Applicator
Gallatin County - Bozeman, MT
Job Description: Of Agriculture State application, health and safety rules. Seasonal, variable hours to be discussed at interview. Insure the compliance with all EPA and Dept.read more.
Gallatin County 30+ days ago
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Directory of Farms, Orchards, etc
Anderson Orchards of Rudyard Montana
225 First St NE, Rudyard, MT 59540
406-355-4596
Harvest Time: June – September
Main Crops: Apples, Raspberries, Strawberries, and Cider |
Common Ground Farm
31940 Jocko Rd, Arlee, MT 59821
406-726-2030
Harvest Time: June – August
Main Crops: Raspberries and Strawberries |
Fat Robin Orchard & Farm
34126 Finley Rd, Polson, MT 59860
406-887-2869
[email protected]
Harvest Time: July – October
Main Crops: Apples, Cherries
| Getman’s Cherry Red Orchard
East Shore, Flathead Lake, Bigfork, MT 59911
406-871-5499
[email protected]
Harvest Time: August – October
Main Crops: Apples, Beans, Beets, Cherries, Pears, Peaches, and Plums |
Pine Glen Cherry Orchard
7751 East Shore Rt, Polson, MT 59860
406-887-2727
Harvest Time: July – August
Main Crops: Flathead Cherries |
Rocky Creek Farms
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-585-0225
Harvest Time: July – October
Main Crops: Apples, Corn, Cucumbers, Pumpkins, and Raspberries |
Sky View Farm
34107 Sod Farm Rd, Arlee, MT 59821
406-726-2211
Harvest Time: July – September
Main Crops: Blueberries, Flowers, Raspberries, and Winter Squash |
Wooly Locust Farm
673 Ridge Rd, Stevensville, MT 59870
406-546-8554
Harvest Time: May – September
Main Crops: Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables |