Fox Haven Farm, Retreat & Learning Center in Jefferson, Maryland has an opportunity for an energetic orchard steward. We are a non-profit farm-based education center that grows medicinal herbs for our CSA and for direct sales; we grow apples, elderberries and nanking cherries and wild plums for sale (3 acre orchard), tap walnut and maple trees for small batch syrups, and harvest honey from orchard hives for sale and use in our classes. You don't have to be a beekeeper, but what a great combo if you are!
The orchard steward is responsible for all aspects of orchard management, including:
pest control (organic and/or natural methods)
mowing/weeding/pruning
harvest/storage/sales/cider making with farm members and current farm partners
working with the CSA manager on plant guilds, intercropping of medicinal herbs for our CSA
building biodiversity within the orchard
fence maintenance and mowing education trails (we use a small Kubota tractor/weed wacker)
leading orchard tours, teaching farm-based education classes to the public
*Bonus if you also want to or already keep honeybees and know how to harvest honey
We prefer 2-3 years experience with orchard management and applicants should be comfortable working as a team and with the public. Flexible availability, weekend hours, experience driving/operating a tractor and with using a weed whacker/hand tools/ladders/chainsaws/hand saws, be able to lift 50 pounds and walk rough terrain are all required. Occasional pest control/wrangling might be necessary.
Start date is flexible, but need someone by March 1 if possible. Please contact JoAnn at info@foxhavenfarm.org if interested.