Company description

We are a unique, small farm growing certified organic vegetables and flowers on 4 acres in Arundel, Maine.  We're passionate about providing our community with nourishing food, resources & education related to living more sustainably, and with opportunities to connect with each other and the land.  Deeply concerned about the loss of agricultural land and biodiversity in this part of southern Maine, we use regenerative farming methods, focus deeply on soil health and draw inspiration from permaculture principles.
 

As partners in both life and work, we (Noah and Flora) manage different aspects of our ever-evolving farm business.   Noah is the lead veggie farmer, running our seedling greenhouse, 4 high tunnels, field production of annual and perennial crops, and post-harvest operations.   Flora runs the retail, business, and marketing sides of the farm. She also grows flowers, manages our commercial kitchen, leads vegan cooking classes and organizes our events calendar.  ALL of our sales are direct-to-customer in our year-round farm store.  Our customers consist of CSA members (who've essentially signed up for a gift card with perks), locals, and seasonal visitors/tourists.   From the beginning, our focus has been on creating a welcoming, informative, and authentic farm experience for the public, inviting them to see a small-scale vegetable farm operation in practice.  

Internship description

We are hiring two Farm Apprentices this season  You will work closely with Noah on all things related to growing organic vegetables on a production scale - greenhouse seeding, seedling care, transplanting, irrigation, weeding, pest management, harvesting, washing, processing, and more.  There is also the opportunity to help with some flower farming  if you have interest.   Apprentices also work an occasional shift in the farm store, interacting with customers and answering questions.  

Our apprentices receive an immersive experience in the running of a small, community-focused, certified organic farm business.  Educational components of the apprenticeship program include

• individualized instruction
• an emphasis on learning by doing
• rotating responsibilities around the farm and your own 
• weekly lunch & learn sessions with the crew
• regular individualized goal setting and check-ins
• participation in MOFGA’s farmer training sessions across the state.
• Conversations around farm financing and bookkeeping, crop planning and record keeping, marketing and community relations, and broader issues such as food equity and industrial agriculture are all part of the experience.
• participating in events on the farm, including classes, dinners, and tours

While we personally believe that the future of food is plant-based, if you’d like to learn more about livestock-based agriculture, we are happy to happy to introduce you to other local farmers who focus on that.

We are seeking apprentices who are self-directed, curious, and passionate about learning how to farm.  Preference is given to people who have prior experience in farming, gardening, or landscaping. Farming is physically demanding, happens in all kinds of weather, and can be tedious and repetitive.  Strength (can lift 50 pounds), stamina (both physical and mental), speed, and efficiency are all traits that make a successful farmer. But we also value flexibility, a sense of humor, and good communication skills.   We expect you to be comfortable working both alone and with others, to be able to accept constructive criticism, and to be able to advocate for your needs.

Schedule:
Apprentices work five days/week, Tuesday-Saturday.  Hours vary a bit throughout the season but in general you can count on 7am-5pm with 1.5 hours off in the middle of the day.  The season runs from early April through the end of October/early November.

Compensation this position is : stipend / non-monetary compensation
Details: -$800/month stipend. -Housing is provided on our multi-generational homestead, which is separate from but adjacent to our farm operation. Our two apprentices each have their own bedroom or camper and share a kitchen/ living space with each other. Accommodations include wifi, laundry, and a private pond for swimming. No smoking. -Food - unlimited farm-grown produce, plus access to other groceries at wholesale prices. Training, weekly "lunch & learn" discussions on a variety of topics, and access to the educational programs offered by MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Assocation) Application instructions Deadlineno deadline