Company description
We are a 60 acre, MOFGA Certified Organic vegetable farm that grows about 25 acres of vegetables for our CSA and wholesale customers. We are in our tenth year of production and are growing each year to meet the demand for local, organic produce.
As a mixed vegetable operation, all staff on the farm get to be part of seasonal produce production in the short-season climate that is Mid-Coast Maine. The work is variable, challenging, and rewarding. We work in all weather; we work as a team to meet the tight deadlines of harvest and delivery. We pride ourselves on creating a great work environment and providing upward growth for committed staff.
Job description
Greenhouse Assistant/Flower Upick Assistant
Tentative Start Date: Early March 2025
Primary Supervisor: Greenhouse Manager (Marnie), Occasionally Field Supervisor
Full time (40-45 hours April-Dec, 35 hours in Winter)
Description:
This position is for a candidate with (or who would like to gain) specific greenhouse experience who will balance time between greenhouse work and field work, primarily in our flower U Pick. They will work as direct support to the greenhouse/U pick manager most of the time (seasonally dependent), while assisting in essential field production and harvest for the remainder of their time, and supporting washpack work in the winter. Seasonal structure is varied and depends on the needs of the farm during critical periods, and the flexibility to float between different positions as need arises is essential. A general breakdown of how the year will be spent is outlined below:
January-February will consist of mostly harvest and washpack related tasks, with seeding work beginning in early February.
March-August Many days will be spent in the greenhouse assisting in seeding, watering, potting up etc. ~40-50% in the greenhouse assisting in seeding, watering, potting up etc.
~30-40% -Upick work, including weeding, planting, pruning etc. This job may include some Saturdays.
~10-30% high tunnel focused work (trellising/pruning)/field and harvest support as needed
September-December As greenhouse production winds down in the Fall, most of the work day will be spent with the field crew or being involved in washpack or harvest activities as needed.
Our ideal candidate is someone who is able to be self-motivated, responsible, with a high attention to detail and strong organizational skills who is eager to learn. Seeding and greenhouse care can be monotonous (but rewarding!) work with long hours on your feet doing repetitive tasks, so the ability to work quickly, efficiently, while also being detail-oriented is key.
The responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:
Daily check-ins with greenhouse manager to asses weekly needs and priorities
Seed seedlings on schedule, diligently follow protocol for seeding practices, understand schedule and priorities set out by manager
Assist in maintaining tunnel climate and sanitation, make daily/seasonal adjustments to assure air flow, temperature, pest control
Assist in record keeping for propagation greenhouse
Maintain and adhere to schedules regarding planting and making appropriate preparations (ie hardening off seedlings, confirming planting schedule with field managers, spray schedules)
Assist in leading other employees through tasks that require extra hands (eg large GH seedings)
Maintain a clean/organized workspace in greenhouse
Help with other farm tasks as the work demands.
Job Requirements:
1-2 years required experience on farms (preferred) and in greenhouses specifically.
Employees must be on time, responsible and reliable.
Consistent attention to detail and a high standard of work.
Must be capable of heavy physical work in all weather conditions, cold/heat/rain etc. Greenhouse work requires the ability to stand for hours on end, move trays repeatedly, lift and move up to 50 pounds, and work in warm or hot conditions.
Knowledge of germination, watering, and basic plant growth, vegetable types
Ability to work quickly and efficiently while working alone.
Ability to stand for 4 hours at time
Sense of humor, ability to roll-with-it, and a good attitude!
Employees are expected to be team players, comfortable taking direction from each other, and comfortable taking constructive criticism that improves the job being done. Employees are expected to be respectful and kind to one another.
Hours:
Spring, Summer and Fall: 40-45 hours per week, 7:00 AM until 3:30 or 4:00 PM. The majority of the work will be done Monday-Friday, however this position requires commitment on 1-2 Saturdays per month to assist with greenhouse and UPICK management. Days off will be managed accordingly so employee only works 5 days per week.
Winter: 35 hours per week, 8AM until 3:30PM
Lunch is an unpaid ½ hour, and employees are given a paid 15 minute break mid-morning.
Pay: Starting pay $18/hr.
Benefits:
Earned time off - Accrual of 1 hour per 40 hrs worked, hours do not run out at the end of the year
A CSA share free of charge all seasons employed (value ~$30/week). Plus additional seconds and bulk veggies if desired.
35% discount on purchased-in items such as eggs, cheese, flowers, etc.
Matching Retirement contributions (via our SIMPLE IRA) of 3% of income after 3 months of employment
Gear Stipend seasonally ($100 June/$100 January)
8 Paid holidays/days off on farm schedule (in addition to ETO)
Compensation
this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr
Application instructions
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Deadline
March 16, 2025
