MOFGA Farmers-in-Residence

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) Farmer-in-Residence position offers aspiring farmers committed to organic agriculture and public outreach the opportunity to be Farmers-in-Residence at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine. Farmers-in-Residence participate in MOFGA's Journeyperson Program, which gives new and aspiring organic farmers access to the land, resources, and support they need to establish successful farm enterprises.

In 1995, MOFGA purchased 200 acres of land in Unity, Maine with the vision of creating an organic farming showplace. In addition to hosting the Common Ground Country Fair every September, the land is home to MOFGA's staff offices, a number of livestock barns, an exhibition hall, and the ecologically-designed Modern Farmhouse. The new journeyperson will share the Farmhouse with another Journeyperson as a dwelling and headquarters for their farming activities.

The Journeypersons will have access to MOFGA's agricultural resource base with which to establish and operate their own farm business. Opportunities include: approximately 3/4 acre of prime soil for market gardening or row crop production, orchard management, nursery crop production, grass-based livestock production, woodlot management and forest products, maple syrup production, organic seed production, breeding, and variety selection, and value-added processing. Opportunities also exist to develop a winter vegetable production system in a 2150 square foot unheated, movable greenhouse.

Journeypersons have a wide choice of the particular farming methods or techniques that they wish to use, provided that they comply with organic standards. Journeypersons in residence at MOFGA will receive an annual stipend of $3,000 and are entitled to the proceeds from the sale of any farm products they raise or make. Journeypersons are expected to provide 16 hours of assistance each month with landscaping and grounds maintenance in addition to their own farming activities. The position generally lasts for 2 years, with the possibility of a mutually-agreed-upon extension.

MOFGA Farmers-in-Residence will have:

• A minimum of one full season of practical experience in an organic farming system and a demonstrable commitment to pursuing organic agriculture as a career, preferably in Maine.
• An entrepreneurial spirit.
• Strong communication skills and willingness to engage with interested visitors to MOFGA, both on a continuous, informal basis and at various special events hosted by MOFGA throughout the year. Those with a strong need for privacy are discouraged from applying.
• Intellectual curiosity and a commitment to active and semi-structured learning under the supervision of MOFGA's Educational Programs Director.
• Kindness, creativity, flexibility, a strong work ethic, and a good sense of humor.

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