Organic Vegetable Farm Crew

1391 S Waterboro Rd near Hamilton Road, Waterboro ME

Description

Black Kettle Farm is a 4 acre MOFGA certified organic vegetable farm in Lyman, ME. The farm grows over 30 different crops with hundreds of varieties for it's 175 Member CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and for local restaurant accounts. The CSA is the focus of the farm, with 5 weekly pick ups and a range of options for members, including a small farm store. The farm is committed to food accessibility and participates in the Maine Harvest Bucks Program and the Maine Senior Farm Share, and donates produce to the local food pantry every week. At Black Kettle, we strive to grow healthy, beautiful food, nourish our soil, honor our eco-system and foster connections and collaborations in our community. From seed, to weed, to harvest, to sale, Black Kettle Crew members have the opportunity to gain hands-on practical skills and expertise in a wide variety of essential tasks over the course of the growing season. This is a dynamic, inclusive, upbeat and rewarding work environment. This is NOT AN APPRENTICESHIP, but a full time job, perfect for someone who has already farmed for at least one season, who wants to gain more experience and take on more responsibility. Crew members participate in: Greenhouse seeding, water and plant care Spring Plant Sale High tunnel bed prep and growing Field transplanting Weeding, thinning, mulching, trellising, compost spreading Harvest of 30 different crops Drip irrigation installation and maintenance Wash and pack for CSA and restaurant accounts CSA organization and distribution Maintaining an organized, safe and efficient workplace Record Keeping Basic tractor skills Interacting with CSA members, restaurant accounts and greater farm community Annual cut flower care Perennial herb garden maintenance Ideal candidates have at least *** one full season of experience working on a commercial vegetable farm***, and: Must be able to lift 50 pounds Must be able to work on their feet for 6 hours at a time Must be ready to work in all kinds of weather (hot, cold, rainy etc.) Must be have strong communication skills including listening, following directions, participating in group discussions and asking questions to clarify. Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation. Must be able to work independently, as well as a in a group. Must have a strong work ethic, love being outside and be ready to commit to a physically demanding job. Must be a team player. Farm Crew positions are full-time, from early April through the end of October. The work week is Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM with a one hour, unpaid lunch break. Some days are longer due to CSA pick-up duties and comp time will be given the following day. In general, a positive attitude, a willingness to try new things, a dedication to task completion, attention to detail, taking pride in one's work, and flexibility are all valuable attributes on the farm crew. All crew members will be trained in all aspects of the farm, but certain tasks will be delegated to meet the skills and interests of the crew members, such as greenhouse management, produce wash and pack management, record keeping, and farm store management. If you have particular previous experience in any of these, please let me know if your cover letter. Compensation is $13-$15/hour dependent on previous experience, all the veggies you can eat, and reduced prices on local items offered in the farm store, such as meat, honey, cheese etc. The entire crew has one shared lunch together a week with rotating cooking duties. There is a magical lake and a great place for ice cream close by. The farm will follow all current Maine CDC guidelines for health and safety regarding COVID 19. All crew members must be vaccinated. To apply, please email a cover letter, a resume and two professional references to Laura at - [email protected] In your cover letter, let me know about your previous farm experience, why you want to work at Black Kettle and what skills you would be bringing to the crew. Please take a moment to check out the farm website and our Instagram (blackkettlefarm)to learn more. I look forward to hearing from you!