Company description

Ararat Farms, located in Lincolnville, Maine, is a highly diversified small scale farm committed to organic & regenerative farming practices. The property encompasses hundreds of acres (mainly wooded), with about a dozen acres in fields, pastures and gardens. Many of the farm activities take place on a ridge above pitcher pond which offers splendid views. While the farm has been a part of the community for generations, (with many different iterations), we currently are in an exciting period of revitalization, with a lot of expansion, burgeoning ideas and a strong work team.

Currently we cultivate around dozen garden plots comprising roughly 2 acres, which are in transition to no-till and low till practices. These garden beds consist of market veggies and fruits, annual and perennial herbs (medicinal and culinary), rice and cover crops. We plan to open up a few more acres in future years, expand our production and increase our grain growing capacity.

Among the property are dozens of mature fruit trees and hundreds of additional perennials yet to bear fruit have been planted in the past few years.

The farm also focuses on prepared foods through our skilled cooks and certified kitchen. We have rice paddies, and raise chickens. To date, most of our revenue comes from our farmstand, two farmer’s market, and wholesale restaurant accounts.

We believe food is medicine; we strive to serve our community through nutrient dense food. We value environmental and habitat stewardship, pollinators and permaculture principles. Our skilled team benefits from overlapping responsibilities while still allowing each member to thrive individually as we harmonize passions and skill sets with the greater goals of the Ararat Community.

Job description

This position will start as an assistant management position with oversight, communication, and collaboration from the current farm management team. A crop plan and market garden plan will be in place to act as a guide for the 2025 growing season. Incrementally, as it fits best for the team, this person will transition into more responsibility, agency, and management. An ideal candidate is looking for long-term involvement and management at Ararat Farms.

Prior farm management nor are multiple years of experience necessary but they preferable. The ideal applicant has multiple years experience in vegetable production and be familiar with the seasonal workloads, responsibilities and expectations of a high quality market gardener. Trainings and instructions will occur regardless of prior experiences. Applicant should be ready and excited for physically labor, leading field crew and ability to lift 50 pounds safely and consistently. Other qualifications include reliability, a positive spirit, good time management and communication, record keeping and being able to adapt to dynamic conditions. We encourage applicants who will work well in a team environment and who are able to take the lead on their projects of concentration.

In 2025 we are implementing a hybrid system of no-till in about half the beds and tillage in the other half. The multiyear plan involves transitioning more of the garden plots to no-till without increasing costs nor sacrificing production in the short term. We currently have about 2 acres in garden production. There is also additional area in perennials, some of which are in full production (raspberries & fruit trees), with hundreds of perennials yet to reach bearing age. There will be more of a focus for this position on annual vegetables and fruits, while still giving time and energy for perennials.

As the farm is only a few years back into commercial production, we still have plenty of room to grow, hone in on our practices, and refine our methodologies, so its an exciting time to join the team.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Field Crops: seeding, transplanting, mulching, trellising, pruning, weeding, harvesting & washing, & irrigation mgmt.
• Greenhouse work & plant propagation.
• Soil bed preparation and record keeping.
• Leading field crew.
• Operation of small scale farm machinery.
• Internal communication and collaboration with existing Ararat management team

Supplemental & Potential Responsibilities

• Assist outside of market garden (perennials, herbs, grains, livestock) at times.
• Operating heavy farm equipment.
• Marketing and Sales.
• Social Media.
• Assist with Packaging of produce.

Position starts in late winter. This position would be full-time with the possibility of year-round employment for the right person. Compensation based upon experience and qualifications. Ideal candidate is salaried, with housing beling included in the compensation package. Although we are open to hourly rate starting at $20/hr with an increase in pay rate as responsibilities are gained.

Enjoy access to extra farm produce, products and prepared foods as well as a s hundreds of acres of Ararat farm woods and fields. Amazing location!

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000

Application instructions

Deadline

January 05, 2025