Smithereen Farm

Careers

Join us on the farm!

Are you a hard-working, wild-inspired culinary type? Looking for a job? We have good work available for a fair wage on our super diverse and dynamic operation in Washington County. Housing is also available in our beautiful historic town on Cobscook Bay, with a farmstore halfway between Eastport and Lubec.

Besides our veggies, value-added products, berries and herbs—we also host the Annual Pennamaquan Alewife Festival, Low Low Tides wild algae harvest workshops, and many other educational workshops and events through the season. We host Hipcamping in tented platforms, and each fall/winter we Cranberry Bounce to seasonal regional markets. And a huge agricultural library in a restored Odd Fellows Hall, hosted by our sister organization, Greenhorns.

Much to do! Come for a visit and apply today.

Location: In person, on-site at Smithereen Farm’s premises in Pembroke, Maine
Reports to: Severine Welcome, Owner
Job Category: Regular Full-Time Employee (up to 40 hours/week)
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Employment Dates: April 15 – October 15, 2025, with possibility for extension
Pay: $25 /hour

Overview:
Smithereen Farm is seeking a skilled, organized, and adaptable individual to serve as our Farmstore Manager. This position, supported by a USDA Local Food Promotion Program grant, blends brick-and-mortar and web-based retail management and sales planning, playing a crucial role in the day-to-day operations of Smithereen Farm’s initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Farmstore Management

  • Create a sales plan for the Farmstore, including all products.
  • Manage and track inventory and sales for the Farmstore.
  • Manage Farmstore state license renewals and relationships.
  • Manage relationship with WIC, Maine Senior FarmShare, and SNAP program partners.
  • Manage existing vendor data and onboard new vendors.
  • Place orders from vendors, ensure all invoices are paid timely.
  • Oversee Farmstore staff, including reporting of cash sales and pick-up of off-site orders.
  • Deposit cash and checks in bank account.
  • Manage inventory of promotional brochures / maps / visitor information.
  • Coordinate with graphic designer on print and web promotional materials.
  • Prepare monthly sales reports, add Square-reported sales to the monthly sales report for all Smithereen Farm products, make recommendations to the core team for business improvement.
  • Coordinate with commercial kitchen food makers as needed.
  • Check and respond to mail/telephone messages concerning the Farmstore.

Farmstore Operations

  • Oversee all purchase inventory management of Farmstore products.
  • Manage all shipping of VAP products for Smithereen Farm.
  • Manage relevant databases, including updating data for new product leads for products and sales locations. 
  • Update SOPs, policies, and operations manuals.
  • Manage and track all invoices.

Webshop Sales
(Retail and Wholesale)

  • Manage all web-based sales inventory.
  • Optimize inventory tracking system.
  • Design and master plan the Farmstore food program.
  • Update operational plan for online ordering and takeaway food at the Farmstore.
  • Manage online customer outreach, sales, shipping, and wholesale accounting.
  • Manage the online shop with high level of precision: Ensure products are promoted with correct data (weights, prices, product photos, inventory, shipping weights, etc.)
  • Managing the webshop store room, packaging materials, and general cleanliness.
  • Communicate with the production manager for needed inventory and flow of goods.
  • Pack and ship web sales and wholesale orders.

Experience and Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Retail Management and Sales Experience: Previous experience in one or more of these areas, with similar scope, is preferred.
  • Organizational and Communication Skills: Highly organized with excellent written and verbal communication skills, and attention to detail.
  • Proficiency with Digital Interface: Strong ability to use digital tools for managing tasks, customer and employee communications, and Webshop.
  • Adaptability and Quick Learner: Ability to manage a variety of tasks, quickly learn new software, and adapt to changing needs.
  • Fluency in English: Strong command of both written and spoken English to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well with a wide range of stakeholders, including customers, regulators, vendors, and team members, fostering positive relationships.
  • Problem Solving and Initiative: Proactive in identifying and resolving issues, with the ability to troubleshoot and make informed decisions independently.
  • Customer Service Orientation: Demonstrated commitment to customer satisfaction and ability to create a welcoming and positive environment for brick-and-mortar and online customers.
  • Sales Process Knowledge: Familiarity with customer outreach, inventory tracking, and sales coordination.
  • Must be comfortable working in a farm environment and collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders.

How to Apply

Interested? Please send a letter of interest explaining your fit for the position, your resume, three possible dates where you are available to come come visit us on the farm, and two professional references to [email protected]

Location: In person, on-site at Smithereen Farm’s premises in Pembroke, Maine
Reports to: Farmstore Manager
Job Category: Regular Part-Time Employee (up to 30 hours/week)
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Employment Dates: April 15 – October 15, 2025, with possibility for extension
Pay: $20 /hour

Overview:
Smithereen Farm is seeking skilled and enthusiastic individuals to serve as our Farmstore Cashiers. These positions, supported by a USDA Local Food Promotion Program grant, blends brick-and-mortar and web-based retail sales, playing a crucial role in the day-to-day operations of Smithereen Farm’s initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Open and close the Farmstore, following procedures.
  • Run the cash register: 
    • Record prices, total purchases into cash register.
    • Have knowledge of and recognize product prices for accurate tendering.
    • Process cash, check, credit/debit card, store charges, and charge payments from customers. 
    • Make change as the transaction requires.
  • Greet and interact professionally with customers:
    • Count all customers who come into the Farmstore.
    • Help orient customers to local food / economy opportunities.
    • Provide visitor information to HipCampers and tourists.
    • Answer questions about Smithereen Farm, Greenhorns, and the Reversing Hall.
  • Assist with bagging produce as a service to customers, including the offering of and completion of loading sacks into customers’ vehicles as needed or requested.
  • Process shipments of Webshop merchandise, as directed by the Farmstore Manager.
  • Monitor quality of produce and process out of the Farmstore and Webshop, as needed.
  • Keep the Farmstore and outdoor public spaces tidy and clean:
    • Clean and maintain the area around the cash register as needed or requested.
    • Keep clean shelves and refrigerators.
    • Take out trash and recycling in kitchen and bathroom.
    • Tidy staff kitchen.
    • Sweep porch and tidy public spaces on the ground floor.
    • Clean upstairs bathroom, as needed.
  • Help prepare the Farmstore for season opening (May 1) and closing (October 1), as needed.

Experience and Qualifications

  • Retail Sales Experience: Previous experience in retail sales is preferred.
  • Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Exceptional work ethic and strict adherence to company policies and procedures.
  • Hardworking, trustworthy, and willing to learn.
  • Responsible and follow directions while working in small teams or independently.
  • Flexible, wiling to work on different teams and projects as circumstances require.
  • Able to pass a background check.

How to Apply

Interested? Please send a letter of interest explaining your fit for the position, your resume, three possible dates where you are available to come come visit us on the farm, and two professional references to [email protected]

Location: In person, on-site at Smithereen Farm’s premises in Pembroke, Maine
Reports to: Owner
Job Category: Regular Full-Time Employee (up to 40 hours/week)
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Employment Dates: Starts immediately, ongoing
Pay: $30 per hour (annual salary equivalent $62,400)

About the Role:

We are looking for someone passionate about small business administration, co-design and management who wants to work in regenerative agriculture in rural Maine. This position enacts shared office management with Severine Welcome (Owner, CEO) and Terran Welcome (Farm and Facilities Manager) in the Smithereen Farm office. This is a position for someone very skilled at administration and creative management.

For an interested, committed, and competent candidate, this role has the potential to grow into a Director of Operations role in the future, with increased compensation, leadership capacity, and agency.

This role is a centralized, “go-to” administrative role, making sure that operations are smooth. The Office/Operations Manager watches over the production and producers of all the parts of the farm business this includes: farmstore, Hipcamping and other venue rentals, the production and sale of value-added products (VAP), creation and dissemination of marketing (including Mailchimp newsletters), management and payment of invoices in and out, coordination of staff/HR, and this role maintains a view into the entirety of our diverse operation. 

We seek for this role an individual who has discipline and good work etiquette, who is responsible and accountable, who is precise and emotionally mature, and who is committed to our mission and the follow-through required to achieve our mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Bookkeeping and budget making/ vetting
  • Sales/ accounts and wholesale accounts management management in collaboration with kitchen manager
  • Payroll oversight
  • Property management, restoration project management
  • Insurance oversight
  • HR financial oversight
  • Organic certification paperwork and follow ups
  • Business development, research and procedural updates
  • Licensing 
  • Business development
  • Administrative support of Severine and Farm business
  • Project management/ special projects/ research
  •  

Skills

  • Quickbooks basics for pulling monthly sales reports
  • Google docs/ google drive
  • Mailchimp
  • WordPress / WordPress commerce plugins
  • Square, Faire, Shipping software, and pulling reports
  • Spreadsheets
  • Filing and ordering capacity
  • Kindness, patience, solidarity, loyalty, self-starting, attention to details, strong communication
  • Preference for a degree in business, accounting, MFA or equivalent administrative experience
  • Preference for a background in small business administration
  • Preference for familiarity and fluidity with agriculture, education, non profit, artistic practices
  • General computer / software / technology literacy
  • Integrity and detailed focus
  • Able to work with creative people in a diverse, fast paced, educational work environment

About Smithereen Farm, Pembroke, and Downeast Maine

  • Our organic farm business contains many parts:

    • A complex organic farm business
    • Five greenhouses for nursery/seedling production
    • Farming and wild harvesting of algae and herbs
    • Value-added processing of farm products
    • Farmstore
    • Farm-based hospitality program with summer camps, residential educational courses, partnerships
    • Hipcamp/ Airbnb agri-tourism 
    • Educational rentals of the campus

    We live and work in a most beautiful place. Our operations take place across a decentralized campus including: 

    • Grey Lodge, where the Smithereen Farm office is housed on the second floor of a beautiful historic building next to the Pennamaquan River in Downeast Maine, with the Smithereen Farmstore located on the ground floor.. Directly across the street is the Minke Kitchen, our cooperative commercial kitchen available for use by Washington County food producers. 
    • Smithereen Home Farm, a diverse saltwater farm overlooking Cobscook Bay, boasting super diverse gardens, orchards, four greenhouses, and 400 fruit and berry bushes. 
    • Blueberry Land and Cranberry Land, our certified-organic barrens, where we cultivate U-pick wild blueberries and cranberries. At Blueberry Land we host Hipcampers.
    • Reversing Hall, a former Odd Fellows Hall housing an agricultural library and film screening area, which we manage in collaboration with Greenhorns.

    Off-campus, there are hiking trails and nature adventures in every direction. This place provides direct access to beautiful farms and local, organic food, as well as beautiful people, quaint seaside towns, lovely architecture, and it’s flat enough to bike everywhere! It is remote here, but very beautiful.

Leadership

This role answers to Severine Welcome, CEO of Smithereen Farm, who is reliably in the office from 8am–11am each day, to co-create with the Office/Operations Manager action plans and lists of tasks, signing checks that have been prepared, and discussing updates to various workplans. This role collaborates most closely with Severine.

About Our Team

At full scale, our diversified farm operation employs up to 10 people, with especially full houses during seaweed and blueberry harvest. 

 

The other managers who operate on a horizontal scale with this role, and will engage in robust collaboration with this role include: Farmstore Manager, Kitchen Manager, Farm Manager, Hospitality/Agritourism Manager and Caretaker/Facilities Manager. All of these people have some interaction with the Operations Manager, and each of these managers will be responsible for select administrative tasks within their departments. As many of the other farm roles require off-site work—repairs, hosting—this role requires being reliably on-site in the office, holding space for daily administrative tasks and challenges. 

Additional on-site contractor and staff within the Smithereen universe include: cleaners, shipping contractors, VAP processors / cooks, farmstore cashiers who also clean and contribute to orienting visitors, occasional artists in residence and out of town visitors, a nanny, and contract farm workers (often local teenagers or college students) who help with ongoing farm harvest or come for seaweed and blueberry harvest. Remote collaborators include: a bookkeeper, an accountant, a graphic designer, and development consultant.

Smithereen Farm works closely with the cultural non-profit Greenhorns, of which Severine is Executive Director, to complete media projects, marketing campaigns, and a series of educational summer events for the public. The collaborators involved in this project include media makers, workshop teachers, lecturers, and PR consultants. Much of this work is not the direct responsibility of the Office/Operations Manager, but Smithereen Farm’s diverse offerings extend into cultural production and there may be some overlap and collaboration with this arm of the enterprise.

Example Tasks

  • A shipment of materials ( jars, insulation, paint, dye for a workshop)  arrives at the farmstore via bulk freight delivery. The Office/Operations Manager should be tracking the ETA of the shipment via courier tracking information, and must be nearby / on-site to receive the shipment, sign for it, and coordinate or complete unpacking / unloading the contents to the right places on campus (Minke Commercial Kitchen, Farmstore, Farm). The invoice must then be logged to the correct account.

 

  • Example, a visitor who is planning a workshop or a conference on campus comes to get an orientation of the kitchen, timberframe, farm camping options, workshop spaces and needs a detailed orientation to be able to plan their conference/ workshop including AV support. They must also fill out a campus rental agreement, get a digital set of workshop sign up sheets created, get an additional insurance certificate, and have a production schedule for our staff’s preparations/ cleanups. All elements of the educational workshop must be conceived, fact checked with all parties, agreed to with an MOU, put on the correct places on the website, with sign up forms that work with our backend templates, and then promoted according to our spreadsheet of outreach actions. Each time we do it,  over 7 years, we learn more and update our internal SOPs so that we keep getting better. This paperwork and human coordination, content curation/ feedback on event structure, all in this job description. 

 

  • Example, Product carry through– a new herb salt for instance might involve: researching a new jar shape for a new product under development, getting the dimensions of the jar and all details to the designer for the label, to the certifier for proofing, to the printer, making sure the process has gone in correctly from the kitchen manager, loading the new product up in our online store, faire, wholesale PDF, promoting the new product in the store, instagram and in person.

Compensation

This position is a full-time (40 hours per week) position which begins at $25 per hour for a 30-day trial period, and, upon mutual agreement, will transition into a permanent, salaried position at $62,400 with a health care package. A private, single room in a shared historic house is provided free of charge, during both the trial period and as part of the permanent salaried compensation package. Family housing and relocation incentives are available. 

How to Apply

Interested? Please send a letter of interest explaining your fit for the position, your resume, three possible dates where you are available to come come visit us on the farm, and two professional references to [email protected]

GREENHORNS JOBS

Greenhorns, our sister non-profit also located in Pembroke, is currently hiring for a Producer/Editor, a Seaweed Commons Coordinator, and a Civic Halls Intern. Positions will remain open until filled, with initial hiring review starting January 2025.

Read job descriptions here.