Schodic Hollow Farm
We are at the dead end of a beautiful road that backs up to miles of wilderness–there is a vast trail system. It is also possible to ride the rail trail by bike into Ellsworth in a couple hours, or by car on roads in 20 minutes. Bar Harbor is about 50 minutes away with all that the island offers. We are situated on 17 acres of mixed land, about 1 ½ acres of open and cultivated land, diversely populated with numerous fruit, nut and medicinal trees, annual and perennial plants, and a pet pig, chickens, dogs and a cats. We mostly grow annual vegetables and flowers for market, but planted within areas of much perennial fruit and nut trees and shrubs. My co-farmer Garen grows a tremendous amount of greens (Garen’s Greens) and we market together.
Location
49 Hooper Rd
Franklin, Me 04634
Hours and Work Season
It’s really a part time farm position, with ability to work more, but also I pay base $15 but eventually up to $30 for cleaning airbnbs–there are three on the property. Ideal is to come in April and stay until November, it gets pretty quiet and cold after that!
Payment Type
Hourly
Pay
$15/hr
Job Description
There are no particular requirements but a willing heart, eager mind and energetic body. I generally ask for 20 hours (25 early season) for room and board and pay $15/hr for anything over that. The hours can be very flexible, depending on whether jobs can be done solo or need two people.
Responsibilities would include cooking for yourself (I will provide most food, we may share some dinners and you can always come get food in the house, but you are mostly cooking in the apprentice cabin. Maintain the compost toilet that is next to apprentice cabin, and leave the cabin as good as you found it at the end of season.
Early in the spring there is a lot of planting of seeds, pricking out, transplanting and moving around baby plants,
a lot of bed prep and greenhouse prep, hauling compost, broadforking and raking.
Spring moves into a lot of planting, transplanting and more bed prep.
Summer settles in to mulching (as little weeding as possible by mulching) but yes, some weeding, and then harvesting! Garlic comes out in late July and early August, so we are busy with cleaning, curing and eventually braiding. Flower bouquets too!
Fall brings much harvesting, making bouquets, and bed prep for winter. Garlic is the last thing to go in , late October to early November,
fall clean up, mulching and cleaning beds for the next year. Some planting of greenhouse greens also for overwintering.
It’s possible you would be present for maple sap gathering, syruping, blueberry picking and winnowing, black currant season, possible
wine, kim chee, sauerkraut, hot sauce, salsa type projects!
There is also a wood-fired pizza oven, a wood-fired wok and lovely outdoor kitchen that you can use!
Benefits
- Private Cabin with stove/oven, fridge, running cold water.
- Fresh eggs,veggies and then all other food provided(but highly specialized dietary food, coffee, alcohol)
- Access to bikes, canoes and a vast trail system.
What to Expect from Us
- Attentive answers to your questions, a willing ear, access to written information (many farming and permaculture books and magazines).
- Guidance verbally and also physically by working side by side on many projects, but you will also have independence and autonomy. Always happy to hear your ideas about projects, love give and take!
- Personal space as much as needed. I tend to deal with paperwork and personal matters early in the day, and get out to the field later in the morning. If you are a real early bird, we always have a running list of tasks, so you can get hours done early in the day too.
Application Details and Deadline
I like to find an apprentice by the end of February, but not needed onsite until usually April, but could get here earlier.
I really do prefer someone who can be here for the entire season, you get the most out of it, and get to slow roll into
the busy season. No hard deadline , but will shy away from May to August apprentices, because that is just hitting the
busy season.
Schodic Hollow Farm
- Physical Address
-
49 Hooper Rd
Franklin, ME 04634
- Phone
- 207-408-3261
