Erickson Fields, a Preserve of Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Erickson Fields Preserve is owned and operated by Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a coast-wide land trust. Erickson is run as an educational community farm preserve, featuring a Teen Ag Crew program that hires and trains teens to grow over 20 varieties of vegetables using organic methods for local food assistance agencies; Community Gardens; and a Kids Can Grow program that teaches families how to grow their own vegetables. Erickson Fields is a community hub hosting year-round activities and a popular trail that connects to a neighboring preserve, Coastal Mountain Land Trust’s Beech Hill Preserve. Erickson Fields’ sister farm preserve, Aldermere Farm, is located nearby in Rockport where MCHT staff raise Aldermere’s iconic Belted Galloway herd.

Location
Erickson Fields Preserve, 164 West St, Rockport, ME 04856
Hours and Work Season
Full-time 40 hours/week, April to November. During the summer we typically work Monday to Friday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM with an hour lunch break. Spring and fall start and end times may be adjusted. Weekend duties include greenhouse watering, opening and closing the greenhouse and high tunnel, and irrigation which will be shared on a rotation among staff. Time off as approved by the Farm Manager.
We offer a 6-month apprenticeship and an 8-month apprenticeship between the months of April and November.
Payment Type
Hourly
Pay
$16/hour
Job Description
During the spring our priorities will be seed starting in the greenhouse and bed preparation. Our farm currently has fields that are managed using no-till methods and others that use tractor-based implements (a 50/50 split at present). As our fields and beds are prepared, we will be setting up irrigation and planting. We will also be hiring our summer Teen Ag crew, hosting school groups at the farm, and preparing the plots for the community gardeners.
The summer season will focus on field and greenhouse work (seeding, planting, weeding, irrigation, pest control) and leading the Teen Ag Crew five days a week. Our weekly distributions to food pantries start in June so we will be harvesting, washing and packing produce several days a week. Other duties include leading volunteer groups in the garden, providing community gardener support, and field trips for Teen Ag members and staff to other farms and organizations for learning opportunities.
Fall duties include harvesting and preparing produce for distribution, leading volunteer and school groups, cover cropping, garlic planting, and preparing the gardens for winter.
Benefits
- Apprentices will be paid an hourly wage on a biweekly basis and will be offered shared housing 1.7 miles (a 5-minute drive) from the farm. Benefits will be commensurate with their length of employment.
- MCHT’s HR Generalist ensures our operations are in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws. Housing is provided at MCHT’s Aldermere Farm, 70 Russell Avenue in Rockport.
What to Expect from Us
The Farm Manager will be the direct supervisor and will work alongside the apprentice on a daily basis. The apprenticeship starts with setting personal learning goals and objectives and a timeline for achieving these goals. We customize the program to the specific interests of the apprentice. Throughout the term, the apprentice and their supervisor will check in on a daily and weekly basis. The supervisor will meet with the apprentice at the mid-point and end of the term to conduct a work plan review and progress evaluation. The apprentice is encouraged to attend workshops through MOFGA and other opportunities that we will identify based upon the apprentice’s learning goals.
Maine Coast Heritage Trust is a state-wide conservation organization that serves to improve ecological health of coastal communities. At Erickson Fields Preserve we steward the land more intensively than a typical land trust preserve because of our agricultural operation. Given the intensive management, we focus on regenerative agricultural practices that improve soil ecological health. The gardens at Erickson Fields are managed using only organic methods and we implement no and reduced tillage techniques. Erickson Fields hosts Korean Natural Farming and other workshops and uses these methods to enhance soil microbial and plant health. All these practices and philosophies are shared with the apprentice and the Teen Ag crew.
Application Details and Deadline
Position will remain open until filled. To apply, please email a cover letter and resume with three references to [email protected]
Erickson Fields, a Preserve of Maine Coast Heritage Trust
- Physical Address
-
164 West St,
Rockport, ME 04856
- Phone
- (207) 236-2739