Organic Poultry & Livestock Farm Crew

Apple Creek Farm is hiring for the remainder of its 2026 season in Bowdoinham, Maine. Owners Abby Sadauckas and Jake Galle operate the organic livestock farm themselves and sell meat and eggs through local farmers markets, CSAs, food markets, and farm pickup. The crew opening runs from August through December and focuses on daily livestock management, pasture-raised chicken and laying hens, egg handling, rotational grazing, hay, infrastructure, and periodic retail sales. What you will do • Feed and water livestock, complete routine health observations, and report behavior, injury, appetite, or fence concerns • Collect, wash, sort, and pack eggs for markets and wholesale customers • Set up, take down, move, and electrify temporary fencing for rotational grazing • Help with hay production, including tractor work and moving and stacking bales • Complete fencing, basic carpentry, painting, brush clearing, and other farm projects • Set up the farm's market stand, handle products safely, explain offerings, use the point-of-sale system, and assist customers How the work fits together The role works closely with the owners and stays primarily on the farm, with retail duties added periodically. Poultry work requires both individual bird awareness and flock-level observation: clean water, reliable feed, working fence, secure housing, clean eggs, and prompt communication when behavior or production changes. The crew also supports the pasture system and winter preparation through fence moves, hay, clearing, and construction. On a market day, the same employee may transition from chores to inventory, display, customer service, and careful product handling. What the farm is looking for Applicants must be interested in organic livestock farming, enthusiastic about helping people, willing to learn the farm's products, and flexible when working with different personalities. Prior farm, livestock, outdoor-labor, or retail experience is preferred, as are attention to detail and interest in food and cooking. A successful employee uses good judgment, takes initiative, communicates clearly, accepts direction, and works both independently and collaboratively. Physical demands include a brisk pace, long periods walking, repetitive tasks, outdoor work in poor weather, and repeated movement of 10–60 pound objects. Schedule, conditions, and compensation A two-week paid trial begins at hire. Starting pay is $17–$20 per hour based on abilities and experience. The farm offers $35 in farm products each week, accrued paid time off, and workers' compensation coverage. Between 16 and 40 hours are available through November, with a preferred schedule of five eight-hour days Tuesday through Saturday; hours or employment length may increase. Housing is not provided, although the owners may help connect the employee with local housing or additional work. This is an in-person agricultural position. Priorities can change with animal health, weather, crop condition, water quality, equipment availability, and harvest timing. The successful person must communicate clearly, protect animal welfare and food safety, and leave useful notes when a task or concern carries into the next shift. Gates, tools, vehicles, feed areas, water systems, and production spaces should be left clean, secure, and ready for the next person. Applicants should expect physical work that may include long periods of standing or walking, bending, lifting, repetitive hand tasks, wet or dusty conditions, and work outdoors or in agricultural buildings. Dependable arrival matters because livestock and living production systems cannot simply wait for a late shift. Candidates should confirm the exact weekly schedule, overtime treatment, training period, and benefit eligibility with the employer before accepting an offer. How to apply Email a resume or recent education and work history plus a brief letter to info@applecreekfarm.me with the subject line “Farm Crew.” Answer why your experience fits the farm, what interests you about the job, which skills or qualities you bring, and how many miles you live from the farm. Applications are reviewed in order until the position is filled.