Black Kettle Farm

Last Updated On: febrero 22nd, 2022 at 07:49AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
1391 South Waterboro Road
Lyman, Maine, 04002

Primary Contact: Laura Neale
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 4153096162
    Email: blackkettlefarm@gmail.com

Website: https://www.blackkettlefarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Black Kettle Farm is a 4 acre, MOFGA certified organic mixed vegetable and herb farm in Southern Maine. The farm grows 30 different, ever changing crops to feed it's 175 member CSA and to supply wholesale accounts. With an emphasis on food security, Black Kettle participates in the Maine Harvest Bucks program and the Maine Senior Farm Share program, and also donates fresh produce to the local food pantry every week. In addition to the 4 acres in row crops, there are 3 greenhouses, a perennial herb garden, old fruit trees, annual flower beds, and excellent views of the sunset. Black Kettle is located in York county, close to the coast, Portland and the white mountains. The farm is a mile from a gorgeous lake, perfect for post work swims.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: May, flexible
Internship Ends: October, flexible
Number of Internship Available: 1-2
Application Deadline: Rolling
Minimum Length of Stay: 3 Months

Internship Details:

A season at Black Kettle Farm is an opportunity to gain hands on experience and confidence in all aspects of organic vegetable production, with an emphasis on CSA. Members of the farm crew develop professional level skills in greenhouse seeding and plant care, field transplanting, high tunnel growing and plant maintenance, irrigation, fencing, field cultivation and harvest of a diverse range of crop. Although the farm is mechanized and use a tractor for bed prep, we perform all other tasks by hand. Tasks shift over the course of the season and also include, mulching, trellissing, thinning, spreading compost and setting up sillage tarps. Crew members connect with the greater farm community and participate in CSA distributions and wholesale deliveries too. Black Kettle is a dynamic, positive and productive workplace, where questions are always welcomed and encouraged. We start each day with a full team check in and strive to maintain an open, communicative and cooperative work environment.

Educational Opportunities: Every day at the farm is an educational opportunity! Ideal candidates for the Black Kettle Farm crew are folks who are genuinely interested in learning about growing food, and managing a farm, and this is very a much a learn by doing environment. Aside from field work, crew members will be involved with record keeping, planning and decision making to gain a behind the scenes perspective. Each member of the farm crew has an informal check in with Laura, the farm manager early in the season to talk about specific goals and interests. Crew members are welcomed to participate in the MOFGA Farmer Training Project farm tours and discussions when the weekly schedule permits. There is a small library at the farm with a range of books and resources.

Skills Desired: Strong candidates for the Black Kettle Farm crew are folks who have experience working long days, in a physically demanding setting. Previous work on a farm, in landscaping, on a trail crew, in the restaurant or food service industry, or any fast paced environment are all great starting points for a season of growing vegetables. Crew members must be able to work in all types of weather, from hot to cold to rainy, be able to lift 50 pounds, and spend much of the day on their feet. Folks must be able to work both independently and in a group, ask questions for clarification and be comfortable with interacting with the public and representing the farm. A sense of humor, a dedicated work ethic, attention to detail, flexibility and reliability are essential attributes on the farm crew. Farming can be challenging, frustrating and exhausting and it can also be beautiful, fun and extremely rewarding. Ideal candidates are folks who are committed to rolling with the ups and downs of the season, doing their best, focusing on the tasks at hand and truly immersing themselves into the experience of learning, working with a team and growing tons of vegetables. All crew members must have a valid drivers license and reliable transportation.

Meals: The entire farm crew shares one lunch a week together in the farm house. Lunch chores are shared on a rotational basis and everyone has an opportunity to cook for the crew. This season, we hope to bring back fires and pot lucks at the farm too. All employees are welcome to tons of vegetables for their own use throughout the season.

Stipend: $1,500 a month, plus vegetables and reduced priced farm store items such as cheese, meat and eggs, plus housing.If you would prefer to provide your our housing, an hourly wage will be provided.

Housing: Housing is provided in an off the grid yurt in the back meadow of the farm. The yurt is rustic, but charming and private, and is equipped with a double bed, table and chairs, dresser and kitchen set up. There is no running water or electricity in the yurt. There is a outhouse close by, a staff fridge in the barn and folks use the farm house to shower. Crew members that live on the farm must have a vehicle. If you would prefer to secure your own local housing, pay would be shifted to an hourly wage dependent on experience.

Preferred method of Contact: Email