Company description Girard Farm grows 1.5 acres of mixed vegetables and raises laying hens on 3 acres of leased land. We are entering our fourth season in 2019. 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 sell produce wholesale to a couple local stores.

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. The apprentice will likely be working alongside the farmer at most times, in addition to harvest hands and the farmers' parents. This will allow for plenty of one-on-one training and explanation of our farming methods. However, you should also feel comfortable working independently. The apprentice is encourage to ask questions and express their specific areas of interest throughout the season.
 

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:
We are seeking applicants who will commit to being on the farm from the beginning of May through September.

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 vegetable wash tanks 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 $800 per month stipend, along with rustic accommodations.

Housing:
The farm will provide an outside living situation. A living space/bedroom inside a wall tent on a wooden 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 Deadlineno deadline Attachment click here to download the attached document.