Company description
College of the Atlantic’s Beech Hill Farm produces certified organic vegetables for COA and the local community, while using methods that maintain the integrity and health of the land, and work toward environmental and economic sustainability. We have six acres in production and six greenhouses. In addition to providing locally and sustainably raised produce and meat to COA, Beech Hill Farm operates a busy seasonal farm store, offers a CSA program, sells to local markets and restaurants and distributes produce through our student run food access program. We are located on Mount Desert Island, home to beautiful Acadia National Park.
Beech Hill Farm provides educational opportunities to COA students and community members through our work-study program, summer work program, independent projects, class visits, events, and workshops.
Our field crew participate in all aspects of production including seeding, transplanting, cultivating, harvest, wash/pack, sales and distribution. Depending on experience, full season crew members have the opportunity to take on more responsibilities in various aspects of the farm including crew leadership, work-study supervision, greenhouse propagation, post harvest handling, irrigation and tractor work.
Job description
Qualifications and requirement:
Enthusiasm and passion for sustainable agriculture, food justice and agriculture education.
Willingness to work collaboratively and productively with a diverse group of people.
Ability to lift 50 lbs.
Ability to work in all kinds of weather.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks for long periods of time.
Ability to work efficiently in a fast paced environment.
2 + years experience working on a vegetable farm.
This position requires the use of a personal smartphone to perform essential duties, including texting, phone calls and accessing G-Chat, our farm communication platform.
Job Responsibilities:
Assist with field production including bed preparation, transplanting, cultivation, row cover application, mulching, trellising, pruning, tarping and harvest.
Assist with washing and packing produce for distribution. Maintain a high standard of cleanliness, aesthetic appearance and food safety protocols.
Assist with general farm cleaning and maintenance. Tasks may range from cleaning the crew kitchen and bathroom to rebuilding greenhouses.
Use all tools, equipment and vehicles safely and conscientiously.
Keep all work areas clean and organized.
Arrive on time and give ample notice of requests for time off.
Maintain constructive communication with all members of the crew.
In addition, full season crew leads may be asked to:
Deliver produce throughout Mount Desert Island.
Pack and distribute CSA shares.
Operate tractors and other farm equipment.
Take on leadership and oversight in our wash station and propagation house.
Lead summer crew and workstudy crew.
Compensation:
$18/hr, plus free farm produce and 40% off in our farm store.
Housing:
Housing is available for rent in a shared COA apartment in Northeast Harbor.
Vacation and time off:
1 hour paid time off (PTO) for every 40 hours worked plus 8 unpaid days off. PTO can be used after 120 days of employment.
Schedule:
May 1 - October 30. Monday - Friday, 7am - 4pm.
We work Monday - Friday or Tuesday - Saturday, 7am - 4pm during the height of the season, but start at 8am in the shoulder seasons. In addition, all full season crew members are asked to work one Saturday a month.
Compensation
this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr
Application instructions
If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free!
Deadline
no deadline