We're Hiring!
About working here
Marr Pond Farm is a 7 acre MOFGA certified organic farm in rural Sangerville, Maine, started by farmers Courtney and Ryan in 2016. We grow a rainbow of vegetables, cut flowers, and shiitake mushrooms with a focus on soil health and resource conservation. Our products are marketed through CSA shares, farmers markets, restaurants, and natural food stores across central Maine.
We love where we live and farm, and take great joy in sharing it withour farm crew. Our area has abundant natural beauty, and the farm is a quick drive from Peaks-Kenney state park, Sebec Lake, Moosehead Lake, the Appalachian Trail, and more. We’re also part of a close-knit community of new and established area farmers, and believe a vibrant multi-generational community is the foundation of any sustainable farm.
While we compensate all of our employees above the living wage for a single adult in our area, some aspects of working at Marr Pond Farm are similar to an apprenticeship. We have learned so much from other farmers, both employers and friends, and are dedicated to passing on that knowledge. We encourage curiosity in our employees, and take field walks most weeks to make space for discussing more big-picture farming concepts.
The Perks
- All farm crew members have access to free vegetables for their own home use. Bulk vegetables may be available for food preservation at the discretion of the farmers.
- Crew members receive up to 3 paid sick days, after the first month of employment.
- The farm pays for interested employees to attend MOFGA’s annual Farmer to Farmer Conference.
- We do not offer housing but can assist applicants in finding housing locally if needed.
- We do not provide health insurance but can provide resources to help sign up for the health insurance marketplace. We strongly encourage all employees to carry health insurance while farming.
- We provide educational opportunities as they arise to interested employees, and maintain a wide collection of farming, gardening, permaculture, climate activism, and social justice books we’re happy to lend.
We are especially interested in applicants that are excited to become a long-term employee, as our farm continues to grow. Long-term employees are eligible for competitive raises based on performance, responsibilities, and commitment. We are dedicated to sharing our knowledge and contributing to the education and growth of long-term employees, and will develop learning objectives over the winter months on a 1-on-1 basis with interested crew members.
The Farmin' Season & Covid-19 Info
We will begin bringing Farm Crew members and our management team on in April, and end the season around Thanksgiving. Start and end dates will be agreed upon when hired, and we occasionally have some work available before and after the formal farm season.
Preference is given to applicants who can work the whole season, but we will consider applicants for the Crew Member position that can work a minimum of 2 months.
We generally work 7 am-4 pm (including a half hour lunch) most of the season, with a later start time in the spring and fall. During peak season we usually need to work some longer days. Most full time crew members work 40-50 hours a week once the season gets rolling.
Interested candidates may also work harvesting and processing flowers. All Crew Members attend at least one farmers market a season, with most doing a market every week or two. Our Assistant Manager or Crew Lead will attend at least one farmers market a week for the farm, an Assistant Manager is responsible for managing one or more markets per week. Our farmers markets have continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we often receive positive customer feedback for how safely we managed our stand throughout the season.
It is our expectation that all employees take COVID-19 seriously, in their personal and professional lives.
Check out our job descriptions to learn more about working with us:
Farm Crew Job Description
Marr Pond Farm is hiring farm part-time and full-time crew members who have an enthusiasm and genuine interest in learning about organic farming, a strong work ethic and desire to take pride in their work, and the adaptability to take on a wide array of responsibilities over the course of the season. Crew members will work both in groups and independently (after training) on all day-to-day operations of the farm.
The position includes, but is not limited to:
• Seed starting and plant propagation
• Harvesting, washing, and packing vegetables and mushrooms
• Utilizing farm trucks to accomplish assigned tasks
• Maintaining safe food handling practices as outlined by the farm
• Mushroom log inoculation and mushroom yard maintenance
• Transplanting and fertilizing
• Cultivation and hand weeding
• Field maintenance (trellising, laying and removing row cover, etc.)
• Attending farmers markets
Qualifications
The right person for this job will be:
• Able to maintain a positive attitude in a fast paced work environment
• View physical labor in a positive light, and enjoy pushing themselves through challenging physical tasks
• Able to see the humor in work and life, and laugh accordingly
• An efficient, detail oriented worker with a natural sense of urgency about their tasks
• Passionate about good food and have an interest in organic farming
• Self-motivated and self-aware
• Dependable and have access to reliable transportation
• Willing and able to accept feedback gracefully, and adapt accordingly
• A problem solver
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Able to lift and carry 50 lbs, stand for extended periods of time, and crouch or bend over for extended periods of time. We do many things by hand and this job can be very physical.
• Comfortable around dogs (enthusiastically appreciative of dogs preferred :-D)
Experience:
• Farming experience is preferred, but not necessary. Applicants without farming experience should be prepared to explain how their work or life history has prepared them for the rigors of farm work.
• Any experience with physical or outdoor work, or work in fast paced environments is strongly preferred.
• A basic familiarity with plants or gardening experience is helpful.
• A valid driver’s license is strongly preferred, and the ability to drive a standard vehicle is preferred but not required.
• Experience with basic tools, basic carpentry, and a handy problem solving aptitude would be a bonus!
Compensation
Starting pay for Farm Crew is $14-$16, depending on experience.
Crew Lead & Assistant Manager Job Descriptions
Marr Pond Farm is hiring a Farm Crew Lead, or Assistant Farm Manager who has an enthusiasm and genuine interest in refining their knowledge of organic farming, a strong work ethic, desire to take pride in their work, and the adaptability to take on a wide array of responsibilities over the course of the season. We will hire for one of these two positions this season depending on the interest and qualifications of applicants.
Our Crew Lead or Assistant Farm Manager, in coordination and alongside farm owners, will be responsible for the daily management of our organic vegetable production. They will work both in groups and independently (after training) on all day-to-day operations of the farm, and will be comfortable delegating and supervising. If hired, the Assistant Manager will have more direct responsibility and ownership over the daily farm operations.
The position includes, but is not limited to:
• Assisting in the management of day to day operations as well as the ‘big picture’ of the farm
• Seed starting, plant propagation, and assisting in greenhouse management
• Mushroom log inoculation and mushroom yard maintenance
• Assisting in management of hand cultivation tasks list including hoeing, thinning and hand weeding
• Directing/monitoring Field Crew, optimizing work
• Harvesting vegetables and mushrooms
• Working with a field map / bed system
• Building skills in evaluating crop readiness, communicating with farm owners about crop status
• Leading Field Crew in harvest systems and techniques including tool and hand harvest methods, providing support and feedback
• Assisting in the coordination of washing and packing to fill market, wholesale, and order needs
• Directing/monitoring Farm Crew, packing and labeling orders correctly
• Maintaining safe food handling practices as outlined by the farm
• Safely operating and assisting in maintenance of tractors and farm trucks
• Participating in all facets of the farm (from maintenance, to pest and disease scouting, to bucket washing), and delegating tasks to farm crew as needed
• Record keeping (planting, cultivation, harvest, etc.) and holding crew accountable for relevant record keeping tasks
• Managing time and transitions efficiently; directing work flow, completing tasks lists
• Communicating effectively to farm owner/managers in real time on progress of work, including updates and changes
Qualifications
The right person for this job will be:
• Able to maintain a positive attitude in a fast-paced work environment
• Able to see the humor in work and life, and laugh accordingly. Laughter is contagious!
• Passionate about good food and organic farming
• Self-motivated & self-aware
• Willing and able to accept feedback gracefully, and adapt accordingly
• Eager to learn
• An efficient worker with good time management skills
• A problem solver
• Detail oriented and observant
• Comfortable delegating tasks and managing interpersonal relationships proactively
• Able to work outdoors in all weather conditions with good spirits
• Willing to learn new systems, and provide constructive feedback on farm systems when needed
• Able to lift and carry 50 lbs, stand for extended periods of time, and crouch or bend over for extended periods of time. We do many things by hand and this job can be very physical.
Required Experience:
• Minimum of 2 years experience on a mixed vegetable farm required, 3+ years of experience preferred. Applicants for the assistant manager position should have multiple full seasons of farming experience.
• The demonstrated ability to work as part of a team is crucial to this position. Applicants for leadership positions MUST be comfortable managing the Farm Crew, including providing both positive and critical feedback.
• A valid driver’s license and clean driving record are required.
Preferred Experience:
• Tractor experience and comfort driving a standard vehicle is preferred.
• Experience on farms of a similar scale or with similar marketing outlets is helpful.
• Management or leadership experience in any setting is preferred.
Compensation
Starting pay is $16-$20 depending on pervious experience.
How to Apply
Got questions? Email employment@marrpondfarm.com and we’ll do our best to answer them!
To apply please send the following to employment@marrpondfarm.com
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received.
• A cover letter that explains why you want to work at Marr Pond Farm, the position you’re applying for, and (for Crew Member positions) how many hours a week you would ideally work
• A resume or work history
• Note that applicants scheduled for interviews will be asked to provide 3 references, including at least 2 professional references, at the time of the interview. (Please note your relationship to each reference and provide a phone number and/or email address)
Marr Pond Farm is committed to centering equity and justice on our farm and in our community. We encourage LGBTQ+ people, BIPOC candidates and members of other historically marginalized groups to apply.