Company description
Spear Spring Farm is an historic 170-acre “organic practice” diversified farm, located in the beautiful MidCoast of Maine. The farm was fallow for many years and over the last four seasons we have worked very hard to bring it back into production, improve soil health and build farm infrastructure. We plant a wide diversity of vegetables, flowers, perennials, and herbs, which we sell primarily through our on site farm store, our CSA, and through wholesale accounts. We also manage a small backyard flock of heritage chickens for eggs, have a small orchard and keep a few hives of bees.
We place a special emphasis on growing practices that are efficient and in harmony with the land and would love for people with a passion for sustainable agriculture and out of the box thinking to join our team. Since we are restoring this beautiful historic farm, this is a great opportunity to see and participate in the shaping of a sustainable and profitable farm.
We farm on about 3.5 – 4 acres, with two high tunnels for season extension and a large propagation house that we use year-round. We have another ~5 acres in cover crop for rotation and are slowly putting new fields into use as we reclaim them from a long period of neglect.
Location: Warren is only 15 minutes from the ocean and the neighboring towns of Rockland and Damariscotta (great food, theaters, museums, and a vibrant local community), and only 25 minutes to Camden/Rockport. The farm boasts sweeping views of fields and the Camden Hills in the distance, 3 ponds, frontage on the St. George River and ample woods. We have a nesting pair of Barred Owls in the back fields, Bald Eagles by the river and a nearby lake with a wooded area for swimming that’s accessible by a short walk. There is a vibrant local food community, along with many area activities and festivals that make the MidCoast of Maine a great place to live and work!
Job description
While there’s always work to do on the farm, our primary season runs from April – November. We are currently looking to hire on 2 full time or 4 part-time people for the summer – from June through September.
Job Description: Field crew members will work closely with our extended farm family, including the owners, farmers, their kids, interns, other employees, customers and visitors to the farm. A positive attitude, flexibility, a great work ethic, self-motivation and sense of humor are a must! The ability and desire to work hard, the willingness to work in all weather conditions with a positive attitude, the ability to “go with the flow” and transition quickly to new things as needed, along with a strong attention to detail and keen observation skills are all important attributes to have as a member of our team!
A crew member’s workday might include, but is not limited to:
- Working in the propagation house (planting, watering, organizing, fertilizing, potting, cleaning, sanitizing, adjusting climate controls)
- Soil and Bed Prep – Broad forking, Laying Compost, Adding Soil Amendments, Creating a Clean Seed Bed
- Planting/transplanting: seeds or seedlings and shrubs and trees
- Maintaining fields and growing areas (mowing, weeding, clearing brush)
- Harvesting vegetables, flowers, herbs, perennials and fruit by hand
- Washing and packing vegetables for sale
- Possible maintenance work such as painting, building stone walls, landscaping, cleaning grounds (buildings, fields)
- Possible care of livestock
Previous farming, gardening or greenhouse experience is preferred, but always willing to train someone with a great attitude and work ethic.
Hours: Our work hours fall between 6am and 7pm (somewhat flexible depending on what needs to get done and the time of the season – for example, in April we might work 8-4 because of the light, while in August, we typically work 6:30-3:30) with a half-hour lunch (bring your own) taken around midday. There is a staff area with a microwave, coffee maker and small fridge.
At the height of the season (July-Sept) full time crew members will average between 40-45 hours/week, with less hours in the shoulder season. All employees are seasonal. We cannot offer health benefits at this time for seasonal employees. We do provide various personal equipment, all the surplus and seconds veggies you can eat, a 15% discount off of anything in our farm stand (meat, artisan cheese, craft beer and wine, heritage grains, locally roasted coffees, eggs, tofu, ferments, spices, etc.) and a bonus at the end of the season for those that work hard with a great attitude.
Housing: We have a beautiful 12' x 24' tiny house/bunkhouse space available for those who are the right fit and who commit to the entire season. The bunkhouse may be a shared area, with two twin beds or a double bed for a couple. The bunkhouse has a private bathroom, a small kitchenette with hot plates and fridge, and a wood stove, as well as a propane heater. Outside there is a gas grill, picnic table, fire pit, and firewood for your use. If you require housing, your wages may be adjusted accordingly. Please also know that if you are a single person requesting housing, you may be sharing the bunkhouse with another crew member.
Other Important Things:
All employees MUST be respectful of all people and property on the farm. This is our home and we care about our extended farm family a great deal. Anyone that is being disrespectful, rude, violent or causes damage will be asked to leave without notice.
This is a farm restoration project and we are working very hard to bring our farm back to health and beauty. We aim to teach people what we know, but much of our work is learning together - from each other and from the land - so please be patient with us as we will be with you, as we all encounter new experiences and perspectives.
Farming is hard work! Please come prepared to stretch, bend, lift, pull, carry, etc. - Understand that this is physically demanding work and we will expect you to work a full day.
Reliable transportation - this is a requirement! MidCoast Maine is a rural area and public transportation is in short supply.
A positive outlook and good sense of humor is a must on a farm, where everything takes longer than you think it will and Mother Nature delights in surprising us with both the good and the bad... This cannot be overstated. Farming is not a job…. It’s a passion. If you’d like to find your passion and get your hands dirty, join us this season at Spear Spring Farm!
Compensation
this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $15.00 - $18.00
Application instructions
This job expired on May 22, 2023
Deadline
May 15, 2023