Company description

Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment is on a mission to transform our relationship with farming and food for a healthier planet. We are a nonprofit education and research center situated on 626 acres of farmland, forest, and coast in Freeport, Maine. Our campus consists of an organic dairy program, livestock barns, diversified fruit and vegetable production, an oceanfront campground, and miles of wooded hiking trails. As a working farm located within a unique mix of ecosystems, we offer a remarkable and inspiring place for visitors of all ages to learn and play. Our year-round programs include farmer training, field trips, workshops, weekend events, and more.

Internship description

We are seeking 2 individuals for our Fruit & Vegetable Farming Internship program: May 1 – November 1 (dates are somewhat negotiable on case-by-case basis)

Fruit & Vegetable Farming Interns help care for 5.5 acres of MOFGA certified diversified fruit and vegetable production, and collaborate with our educational programming. Our production includes year-round high tunnel greenhouses, small orchards, perennials, educational raised beds, and a community garden. We are a working educational farm that enjoys over 30,000 visitors every year, so interns must be willing and able to engage with the public. This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring farmers with little to no experience who are interested in farming, diversifying farm revenues through programming and value-added production, and agricultural education. Interns will leave with a better understanding of varying fruit and vegetable markets and production styles, as well as hands-on equipment experience.

Spring/Summer Tasks May Include:

• Tractor training
• Help prepare soils and raised beds for crop production, seeding, weeding, etc.
• Seedling production in propagation house
• Manage crops in high tunnels (seed, prune, etc.)
• Help manage volunteer groups & create educational experiences
• Help facilitate custom visitor programs and educational school tours
• Aiding in value-added production (canning, preserving, etc.)
• Assist in creating weekly CSA newsletter
• Introduction to equipment maintenance
• Crop planning and successions, record keeping (classroom time)

Summer/Fall Tasks May Include:

• Weeding, seeding, harvesting to meet CSA and market demands
• Help organize and pack wholesale orders
• Working closely with educational programs when groups come to vegetable plot
• Continued use of tractor to prepare ground for cultivation
• Aiding in value-added production (canning, preserving, etc.)
• Assist in creating weekly CSA newsletter
• Assist in design and facilitation of educational workshops for the public
• Plant and manage cover crops
• Help in farm-based cooking education for teenagers
• Continued lessons on equipment maintenance

Qualifications & Requirements

• Ability and desire to work with youth and the public
• Commitment to full term of internship
• Work 40-50 hours/week, including weekend watering and fruit harvesting. At least 1 full day off each week.
• Valid driver’s license required. Must complete background check, required to work with children. Must be 21 years or older in order to operate tractor.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and comfortable with physical labor in all types of weather.
• Positive outlook on life and flexibility to adapt to ever-changing farm environment.

Expectations

• Expected to be punctual, hard-working, courteous and professional. Must serve as a role model and representative of Wolfe’s Neck Center with all program participants.
• Passion for sustainable farming and interest/experience in sharing this passion through education.
• Must be able to perform physically demanding labor.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours, at least 40 hours and a 6-day work week. Hours will be flexible in both directions (e.g. There will be times when we’ve powered through transplanting and will get off early to go swimming. There will be other times when we put in long hours to make sure all the strawberries are harvested).
• Following training, Interns will be expected to perform some tasks independently. They are expected to perform on-farm tasks when manager is absent.

Compensation includes:

• Bi-weekly stipend
• Potential for on-site housing
• Free fruits and vegetables
• 25% discount for on-farm products (beef, lamb, chicken, eggs)
• Usage of bikes, kayaks, and canoes
• Discounted oceanfront camping for friends and family (based on availability)

Compensation

this position is: stipend / non-monetary compensation

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline