Farm Jobs
In order to keep up with our animals during the growing season, we bring on a few more helping hands. We’re hiring for several positions for the 2023 season.
Apple Creek Farm is an organic livestock farm in Bowdoinham Maine operated by Abby Sadauckas & Jake Galle.
Our farm is run primarily by Abby and Jake. Their roles support each other to ensure the smooth running of farm operations. Our employees assist with the day-to-day farm management and help complete projects that will support the farm over time. The farm markets diverse livestock products year-round at farmers’ markets, through CSAs and local foods markets. 2023 is the farm’s ninth season. The farm is located on two primary properties and leases additional acreage throughout Bowdoinham. Please review the descriptions provided and let us know you’re interested by applying in the manner described. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the positions are filled.
2023 Positions:
- Market Crew
- Assistant Farm Manager FILLED FOR 2023 SEASON
- Part-Time Farm Crew FILLED FOR 2023 SEASON
Market Crew
Work Description
We are hiring for a market crew member for the 2023 season, from June 1– December 1. This position will participate in weekly farmers’ markets, staff our farm store, assist with our egg enterprise, and sell the farm’s products at off-farm events. This position works closely with the farm owners to serve retail customers as well as the following:
- Assist with market set-up
- Greet customers and provide friendly and informed customer service
- Learn product offerings, usage, and pricing
- Make recommendations based on customer needs
- Perform retail sales using a point-of-sale system
- Monitor and record inventory
- Safely handle products to maintain quality of packaging and food safety
- Collect, wash, and package eggs
Compensation & Hours
This position is 2-3 days / week (depending on availability and interest) and includes some weekends. We guarantee 12 hours / week from June – December. Schedule will be set monthly with consideration for time off as well as our market needs and scheduled events.
Starting hourly pay between $17-20 based on relevant experience. Compensation includes $35 worth of farm products each week. There is opportunity for hours, rate of pay and length of employment to increase as the farm plans to attend seasonal, weekend markets and events throughout the year. Housing is not offered as part of this position, though we will assist you in finding local housing and/or additional employment if desired.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Friendliness and enthusiasm for working with people
- Ability to think on your feet and to solve problems in the moment
- Desire to learn about our products and farm
- Valid driver’s license
- Willingness to work outdoors – rain or shine
Preferred Qualifications
- Retail experience
- Interest in cooking and food
- Attention to detail and ability to remember names
- Flexibility and ability to manage several tasks at once
A Successful Candidate Will…
- Have a positive outlook and sense of humor
- Exercise good judgment, demonstrate initiative and active engagement in the work
- Work well independently and as a member of the farm crew
- Demonstrate reliability, flexibility and punctuality
- Practice strong communication skills
- Have a desire to learn and to improve
Physical Demands
This position involves moving and set-up of market displays on a regular basis. This includes lifting crates of eggs, moving coolers, and setting up, then taking down a tent and tables. These items range in weight from 10 – 60 lbs. Markets operate rain or shine as is the case with on and off-farm events.
How To Apply
Please provide a resume or list of recent education and work experience and write a brief letter of interest answering all the following:
- Tell us about your previous experience(s) working in retail settings.
- What interests you about this job?
- What skills or qualities will you bring to our farm crew?
Assistant Farm Manager (FILLED)
Work Description
We are hiring for an assistant farm manager for the 2023 season, starting March 15 and ending November 1. This position will work closely with the farmers to complete all aspects of certified organic livestock, egg and hay production including:
- Perform daily livestock chores including feeding, watering and health monitoring
- Collect, wash, sort, and pack eggs for markets and wholesale accounts
- Assist with daily pasture rotations including setting up, taking down, moving, and electrifying temporary fences
- Assist with livestock healthcare throughout season (deworming, hoof trimming)
- Assist with hay production including tractor work, moving, and stacking bales
- Assist with construction projects including fencing, general carpentry, and painting
- Assist with brush and tree clearing
Compensation & Hours
This position is part-time (20 hours) March – May. The position increases to full-time (40 hours) May – November. Our ideal schedule would be five 8-hour days Tuesday – Saturday. A two-week paid trial period will begin from the date of hire. Starting hourly pay between $15-17 based on relevant experience. Compensation includes $35 worth of meat and eggs each week. There is opportunity for hours, rate of pay and length of employment to increase as the season progresses and as experience and knowledge are gained.
Housing is not offered as part of this position, though we will assist in finding local housing if desired.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Interest in organic livestock farming
- Enjoys animals, dogs in particular
- Willingness to work within our farm system
- Flexibility in working with diverse personalities
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior farm experience or comparable outdoor work
- Experience working with livestock including cows, goats, sheep and/or poultry
- Experience with pasture management and/or rotational grazing
- Light carpentry and/or chainsaw experience
A Successful Candidate Will…
- Have a positive outlook and sense of humor;
- Exercise good judgment, demonstrate initiative and active engagement in the work;
- Work well independently and as a member of the farm crew;
- Demonstrate reliability, flexibility and punctuality;
- Demonstrate strong communication skills within our farm setting;
- Have a desire to learn, improve work methods and learn about our farm system
Physical Demands
Farming is both rewarding and demanding work. The successful candidate will be able to monitor and prepare for the predicted weather and remain calm and focused on the task at hand. Safety is important to us and as such a successful candidate will learn to operate equipment safely. The farm will provide a one-day hands-on training in functional movement. It is necessary for the candidate to be able to:
- Maintain a brisk and focused working pace all day;
- Move objects weighing between 35- 50 pounds repeatedly;
- Spend long hours walking;
- Perform repetitive and monotonous tasks;
- Work outside for most of the day, despite inclement weather
How to Apply
Please provide a resume or list of recent education and work experience and write a brief letter of interest answering all the following:
- Tell us about your previous experience(s) working outdoors.
- What interests you about this job?
- What skills or qualities will you bring to our farm crew?
- How many miles are you from our farm?
Part-Time Farm Crew (FILLED)
Work Description
We are hiring for a part-time farm crew member for the 2023 season, starting May 15 and ending October 15. This position will work alongside the farm’s assistant manager and the farmers to complete all aspects of certified organic livestock, egg and hay production including:
- Daily livestock chores including feeding, watering and health monitoring
- Collect, wash, sort, and pack eggs for markets and wholesale accounts
- Assist with daily pasture rotations including setting up, taking down, moving, and electrifying temporary fences
- Assist with livestock healthcare throughout season (deworming, hoof trimming)
- Assist with hay production including tractor work, moving, and stacking bales
- Assist with construction projects including fencing, general carpentry, and painting
- Assist with brush and tree clearing
Compensation & Hours
This position is part-time (16 hours) May – October. Our ideal schedule would be two 8-hour weekdays. A two-week paid trial period will begin from the date of hire. Starting hourly pay between $15-17 based on relevant experience. Compensation includes $35 worth of meat and eggs each week. There is opportunity for hours, rate of pay and length of employment to increase as the season progresses and as experience and knowledge are demonstrated. Housing is not offered as part of this position, though we will assist in finding local housing if desired.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Interest in organic livestock farming
- Enjoys animals, dogs in particular
- Willingness to work within our farm system
- Flexibility in working with diverse personalities
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior farm experience or comparable outdoor work
- Experience working with animals
- Light carpentry
A Successful Candidate Will…
- Have a positive outlook and sense of humor
- Exercise good judgment, demonstrate initiative and active engagement in the work
- Work well independently and as a member of the farm crew
- Demonstrate reliability, flexibility and punctuality
- Demonstrate strong communication skills within our farm setting
- Have a desire to learn, improve work methods and learn about our farm system
Physical Demands
Farming is both rewarding and demanding work. The successful candidate will be able to monitor and prepare for the predicted weather and remain calm and focused on the task at hand. Safety is important to us and as such a successful candidate will learn to operate equipment safely. The farm will provide a one-day hands-on training in functional movement. It is necessary for the candidate to be able to:
- Maintain a brisk and focused working pace all day
- Move objects weighing between 35- 50 pounds repeatedly
- Spend long hours walking
- Perform repetitive and monotonous tasks
- Work outside for most of the day, despite inclement weather
How to Apply
Please provide a resume or list of recent education and work experience and write a brief letter of interest answering all the following:
- Tell us about your previous experience(s) working outdoors.
- What interests you about this job?
- What skills or qualities will you bring to our farm crew?
- How many miles are you from our farm?
Please submit the above to info@applecreekfarm.me using the subject line: Part-time Farm Crew
