Farm Hand

✦  ✦ Organization & History ✦  ✦ 

✧ Mission: Presente! Maine is a grassroots organization that fights to empower displaced Indigenous and Afro-Latinx peoples of Maine through survival programs, community power building, cultural celebration, and transformative healing practice. Presente envisions a world where all peoples enjoy their rights to joy, beauty, wellness, food, land, and home.

✧ Presente! targets three key program areas: Community Health and Wellness (Bienestar), Food Sovereignty and Land Stewardship, and Leadership & Community Power Building. 

✧ Since 2020, we have led critical initiatives to get people fed, prevent eviction, advocate for public health emergency funds for community-based organizations across Maine, deploy public health response, restore indigenous foodways, and win Mainecare for people regardless of immigration status, all while working with a small staff and a few dedicated volunteers. 

We are seeking a Farm Hand to support the day-to-day maintenance and general upkeep on our land (located in Greene, ME) with the vegetable and herb gardens.

✦  ✦ Responsibilities ✦  ✦ 

  • Maintain food growing spaces by supporting with weed and pest management, building beds, laying footpaths, watering, and overall caring for plants and medicines

  • Work independently and in groups as needed

  • Follow tasks given by Land Stewards and check in with the Food Sovereignty (FS) Director regarding scheduling, needs, and support

  • Help maintain an organized tool shed

  • Demonstrate a willingness to learn organic farming skills

  • Be detailed-oriented and observant, such as noticing changes in plants and bringing them to the attention of the team to resolve problems

  • Support with irrigation system installation and maintenance

  • Assist with greenhouse maintenance

  • Participate in harvesting, washing, and packing vegetables

  • Organize and store produce in cold storage

  • Support end-of-season field care; including irrigation, row covering, mulching, cover crop, etc

  • Help with compost maintenance

  • Understand Presente’s mission and prioritize growing in harmony with the land and community

  • Support Community Days on the farm and feel comfortable and confident teaching others about plant care tasks

✦  ✦ Qualifications & Hiring Information ✦  ✦

✧ Values: Must demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Presente! Maine’s mission, vision, and values. Ideal candidates for this position should have a deep commitment to justice and building community resilience, as well as strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

✧ Requirements: 

  • Commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice.

  • Excitement and passion for plants, food, medicine, and community!

  • A combination of at least two years of education, experience, and training in gardening, medicine-making, community building, and/or cooperative projects

  • Excellent  time management skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask

  • Excellent oral communication skills (excellent written communication skills also preferred)

  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team

  • Valid driver’s license, clean driving record (and access to a personal vehicle preferred)

  • Ability to stand and walk the grounds frequently and tolerate varying climate conditions

  • Ability to lift and carry 50+ lbs, kneel, crawl, squat, crouch, and stoop frequently

  • Ability to push and pull 50+ occasionally

  • Task management skills; including task prioritization, results oriented, time management, and following through with commitments

  • Ability to travel in own vehicle or carpool in Presente’s truck to and from the farm, office, and warehouse

  • Ability and willingness to work through conflict, ask for support, and communicate needs

  • Respect for the confidentiality of community members and team members

✧ Strongly preferred: Fluency in Spanish and English.

✧  Expected Hours: Full-time (40 hr/week)

  • Monday-Friday, with varied hours between 8 am and 6 pm. One hour lunch breaks and frequent water breaks

  • Weekends and evenings may be required, with at least one Saturday per month

✧ Rate of pay: $56,000 - $58,000

✧ Benefits: 100% employer-covered healthcare, vision, and dental insurance premiums. Employer covered AAA Membership for employee. Education reimbursement.

✧  Paid Time Off: 

  • 10 days of vacation time

  • 10 days of personal time

  • Seven paid holidays

  • Extended Breaks

    • Summer closure (2 weeks)

    • Thanksgiving (3 days)

    • Winter Break (1 week)

✧  Anticipated start date: August 1, 2023 or sooner

✧  To apply, please send a cover letter, resumé, and references to Adriana (aortiz@presentemaine.org) and CC Desiree (dvargas@presentemaine.org).

For more information or if you have any questions, please email info@presentemaine.org or contact 207-800-7453.