Organic Farm Crew Jobs in Maine

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Full Season Organic Farm Crew Jobs in Maine at Beech Hill Farm, College of the Atlantic – 2021

Farm Overview:

College of the Atlantic’s Beech Hill Farm produces certified organic vegetables for COA and the Mount Desert Island 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 food through our student run food access program

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.

Organic Farm Crew Jobs in Maine:

Our full season crew is made up of two farm managers and three full time staff.  In the summer months, the staff expands to include five summer field crew, as well as farmstand and kitchen staff. In the spring and the fall we have a crew of twenty COA students, through COA’s work study program, each of whom work 8 – 12 hours a week. 

Members of the full season crew participate in all aspects of production including seeding, transplanting, cultivating, harvest, wash/pack, sales and distribution. Depending on experience, the full season crew members have the opportunity to take on more responsibilities in various aspects of the farm including greenhouse propagation, post harvest handling, tractor work and work study and summer crew leadership.

Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm and passion for sustainable agriculture, food justice and agriculture education.
• Willingness to work collaboratively and productively with a wide and 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.
• Commitment to working the full season, April – November.

Preferred:

• At least one season working on a commercial vegetable production farm.
• At least six months of manual labor working experience.

Job Responsibilities:

• Participate in all aspects of seedling production including preparing soil trays, seeding, watering and transplant care.
• Assist with greenhouse production including bed preparation, cultivation, planting, harvesting and maintenance.
• 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.
• In addition, full season crew may be asked to:
  • Take on crew leadership responsibilities.
  • Deliver produce throughout Mount Desert Island.
  • Pack and distribute CSA shares.
  • Participate in animal chores.
  • 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.
  • Encourage and support the education and training of fellow crew members.

Compensation:

$14 – $16/hr depending on experience. All crew receive free farm produce and 40% off in our farmstore.

Vacation and time off:

Full season crew members are permitted 10 days unpaid time off. Requests for time off must be approved by farm managers and no more than five days may be taken during a three month period.

Schedule:

April 1st – November 23rd. 

Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm, plus one Saturday per month, 7am – 4pm, June – October.

To Apply for these Organic Farm Crew Jobs in Maine:

Email resume with two reference contacts and a short letter of interest to beechhillfarm@coa.edu.

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org here.