Ideally, apprentices are here from April through November. We can sometimes accommodate students who only have summers off, with a minimum stay of 3 months.

Peacemeal Farm is nestled in the Dixmont hills along the east branch of Martin Stream.  The farm was started in the 1970s by back-to-the-landers and was one of the first farms to be certified organic by MOFGA.  We started farming here in the early 2000s.  The farmhouse and farm buildings sit on a hillside with a view of the fields, stream and surrounding mountains. We have 120 acres of fields, forest and marshland. Dixmont is a rural community where farming, forestry and wildlife define the landscape.  We are a 30 minute drive from Belfast and Bangor and a 20 minute drive from Unity.

We raise approximately 16 acres of mixed vegetables including carrots, beets, tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, melons, cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, mixed greens, spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, radishes, parsnips, potatoes, onions, leeks, garlic, winter squash, herbs and more. The vegetable crops are rotated each season with a variety of cover crops. We have a heated greenhouse for growing our own seedlings and four hoophouses for extending the growing season. Most of the planting, weeding and harvesting is done by hand. Tractors are used for field preparation, cultivation and some planting. 

Our goal is to provide our family, friends and local communities with fresh, affordable, organic veggies.  The majority of produce is sold at local, year round farmers’ markets in Orono, Bangor, Belfast and at our farm stand. Other outlets include food co-ops, restaurants and MOFGA’s Common Ground Fair.  Our crew consists of Mark, Marcia, 2 to 3 apprentices and a handful of local commuters who round out the field crew. 

Yes!

The season begins in the spring with greenhouse work. Apprentices will learn seed starting techniques and how to grow seedlings on to be transplanted in the field. This time of year we also work in the hoop houses preparing and planting beds for early crops. 

In summer, the vast majority of our time is spent in the field. We start with transplanting seedlings, followed by lots of weeding and harvesting. Apprentices will learn how to use a variety of hand tools to effectively control weeds, along with pulling weeds by hand.

Once harvest season is in full swing, we are picking almost every morning. Everyone will learn harvesting techniques for each crop and will work in the washroom to prep produce for market. Apprentices have the opportunity to work at farmers markets and will learn all aspects of selling vegetables at a farmers’ market. 

In the fall, we continue with our weekly harvests for market in the field and hoop houses, along with bringing in all the various crops for storage and managing the hoophouses for late greens. The full farmers’ market schedule continues until Thanksgiving at which point we switch to our winter market schedule. 

• A strong work ethic
• Dependability
• Physical and mental endurance for working long hours in all types of weather
• Ability to maintain an efficient work flow for extended periods
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work with a group or alone
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude under stressful conditions
• Good communication skills with the farm crew
• The burning desire to live an all encompassing vegetable driven existence

Depending on the time of year, we work 8-10 hour days Monday through Friday with the potential for more hours during peak season.  If apprentices are interested in farmers’ markets, there is the potential to work on either Saturday or Sunday at market.  Vegetable farming can be physically and mentally challenging, as well as hard on the body.  Apprentices can expect heavy lifting, working on their knees, repetitive hand movements, working in the rain, heat, cold and alongside black flies and mosquitoes. Despite the challenges, we have fun accomplishing the many jobs we have each day. Everyone working on the crew takes great pride in the tons of vegetables we manage to grow. 

We want apprentices to learn how to become successful farmers’ and marketers. Many of our former apprentices have gone on to start their own farms.  The majority of the training comes from the hands on learning experience, which is the essence of our apprenticeship. We explain why and how each job is completed and work along with apprentices to make sure they understand. There is always time for questions, further instruction and discussions on topics of interest. Many projects are accomplished as a group which provides opportunity to talk with returning workers who are also knowledgable in many areas. Skills and techniques are mastered throughout the season by performing tasks with focus and intention. We have a Crop Walk every Monday in which we scout each field, discuss what is happening and create a work plan for the week. For most apprentices, this time contributes to the greater understanding of farm management as a whole. In addition, we have many books and publications on farming topics available.

Yes!

We work with apprentices to make sure they understand the task at hand. There will be times when apprentices will take the knowledge they have learned to perform these tasks independently, with another apprentice or with the entire crew on a group project.

We pay first year workers $14/hour, plus a one hour paid lunch break and overflow veggies from the farm. 

We will most likely not have on-farm housing this year, but may be able to work with apprentices to find housing.

We strongly encourage apprentices to visit any farm they are interested in working at in order to find the best fit.

We do not have a manual, but we do continually provide feedback to apprentices since many tasks change and evolve as the season progresses. The success of our farm depends on consistent communication among the entire crew. We encourage communication and address any issues as they arise.

Mark has a degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Maine and started farming at Peacemeal in 2000. Marcia has a degree in Engineering from the University of Maryland and moved to the farm in 2002. Prior to becoming full time farmers here, we both apprenticed on several other organic vegetable farms in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and Maryland. We have two kids and two dogs.  Our goal is to provide our family, friends and local communities with fresh organic veggies. We spend the majority of our time making this happen since Maine has a relatively short growing season.  As a result, our social time happens on the farm, at market and at weekend potlucks. 

We have had humans from across the country and across rural Maine work and live at Peacemeal Farm over the years.  As long as everyone is respectful of one another’s views, we can work together harmoniously and address any issues as they come up.

Equity and Inclusivity – We believe every person should be empowered to grow their own food and have the opportunity to become farmers.  We welcome diversity to our corner of Maine.

Safe and Fair – Our goal is to pay workers a living wage for our area plus overflow veggies from the farm.  We follow labor laws and if anyone feels physically or emotionally unsafe, they are most certainly encouraged to discuss with us so we can resolve the issue.

Environmental Sustainability – Peacemeal Farm has been certified organic for over 40 years.  We are continually looking for ways to improve the environmental sustainability of the farm.

Lucia Smitherman | former apprentice |[email protected] 

Allie Delgado| former apprentice | [email protected]

Benji Lynch| former farm manager |[email protected]