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This job expired on July 21, 2018

Full-Time Apprentice Girard Farm

  • Date Posted May 22, 2018
  • Location Lyman, ME
  • Category Agriculture
  • Job type Internship/Apprentice
Company description Girard Farm grows 1 acre of mixed vegetables and raises laying hens on 3 acres of leased land. We are currently in our third season in 2018. We use a permanent raised-bed system and certified organic practices. We do all planting, cultivation, and harvesting using hand tools. We make our own potting mix, and use soil blocks to start seedlings. The laying hens are housed in an Eggmobile that moves over a 6-acre pasture.

We sell at the Saco Farmers’ Market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 7 am – noon. It is only a 15 minute drive away. We also sell from the farm stand on Tuesday and Friday, which also serves as our only CSA pick-up location. We have a wholesale account with a local country store.

The farm is split between two locations in Lyman, Maine. The crops and laying hens are located about 2 miles from the farm stand and seedling greenhouse. The fields are leased and the farm stand/ seedling greenhouse/ apprentice housing is located on family land. We travel between the locations every day. Lyman has plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, especially the four ponds in town.

The family land is on a quiet road in a rural area. We are about 10 minutes from Biddeford which is a developing historic mill town, 15 minutes from the beach, 30 minutes south of Portland, and 1.5 hours north of  Boston. Internship description We are a growing small farm with only one-part time employee. The apprentice will likely be working alongside the farmer at most times. This will allow for plenty of one-on-one training and explanation of our farming methods. However, you should also feel comfortable working independently.
 
You will have the opportunity to work on a full spectrum of farm activities:
  • Mixing potting soil and seeding transplants, caring for seedlings
  • Setting up irrigation
  • Preparing beds and transplanting seedlings
  • Cultivating with hand tools
  • Setting up trellises for tomatoes, pruning tomatoes
  • Opening and closing greenhouses
  • Harvesting, washing, and packing vegetables
  • Attending farmers market with the farmer
  • Laying hens: feeding, moving fences, collecting and packing eggs

We are committed to the principles of organic growing and are certified organic by MOFGA.

Skills Desired:
A three-month commitment from the beginning of June through the end of August is required. A longer commitment beginning in May through September is also an option.

We do not require previous farming experience. However, you should be able to demonstrate an ability and enjoyment of physical labor. Vegetables are heavy, the sun is hot, and the wash water can be very cold.

We require that applicants have their own vehicle so that you can reach the field on your own and be able to enjoy the social and recreational activities in the area. It will also make it easier to visit other farms, and carpool to Farm Training Project workshops.

***We cannot accommodate couples, pets, or children at this time. Thank you***

Educational Opportunities:
There will be many opportunities for one-on-one training and conversations with the farmer because the farm is so small. You will have the opportunity to meet other local apprentices and attend MOFGAs apprentice workshops.

Stipend:
We offer $600 per month stipend, along with rustic accommodations, and dry good staples (rice, beans, salt, etc.)

Seasonal bonus dependent on length of commitment.

Housing:
The farm will provide an outside living situation. A living space inside a wall tent on a platform. And a detached kitchen/toilet/shower area with running water (hot and cold). There is internet access over wi-fi.

The living area will have private parking separate from the family housing. It is on the same property as the family’s house/ farm stand. While out of sight, we expect quiet after dark and permission before hosting visitors for an extended period. Compensation this position is : stipend / non-monetary compensation
Application instructions
This job expired on July 21, 2018
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