Farm Apprentices – Pine Root

Last Updated On: May 7th, 2026 at 07:38PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
1000 Pequawket Trail
STEEP FALLS, Maine, 04085

Primary Contact: Ruby Nelson
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 2072722257
    Email: rubypineroot@gmail.com

Website: https://www.pinerootfarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Pine Root Farm is located in beautiful Steep Falls, Maine. Our fields are backed by pine forests and the mighty Saco River, and fronted by a Route 113, a popular scenic route that brings you west to the White Mountains or east to Portland and the coast. The area is full of hiking trails, swimming holes, and most importantly ice cream stands. It’s the perfect balance of quiet rural living while not being too far from it all. We grow 10 acres of mixed vegetables, flowers, and herbs. All of our produce is sold through a bustling on-site farm stand, large CSA, and the Portland Farmers Market twice a week. We believe in providing everyone in our community with healthy, accessible food, and work hard to be a welcoming, positive asset for our town and surrounding areas. As of the 2025 season, we are transitioning from a conventionally managed farm to certified organic! This is a three year process, and we’re very excited to share this experience with our apprentices.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 15-Apr
Internship Ends: 15-Nov
Number of Internship Available: 5
Application Deadline: Preferably by May, but we accept applications all season
Minimum Length of Stay: 3 months. Shorter stays are welcome but would likely mean you would stay in a tent, not a cabin.

Internship Details:

Time Period:

Ideal candidates are either available for our full season April – November, or for our peak season July – September. We do not have any year-round opportunities, but happily welcome back apprentices for a second season who did well, would like more responsibility, and have more to learn from our farm. 

Work Performed & Skills Gained:

Our full season apprentices will learn about and perform almost every task required to operate the farm, and should end the season feeling like they could do so without us. We value hands-on learning, side-by-side instruction, and empowerment through both teamwork and independence. 

Activities include:

• Greenhouse management 
• Field prep
• Drip irrigation
• Basic tractor operation (optional)
• Planting (transplants and direct seed)
• Weeding (hand, hoes, tractor)
• Pruning and trellising
• Interseeding
• Spraying (optional/limited)
• Harvesting a diverse array of crops
• Efficient wash/pack 
• Mixed bouquet harvest and arranging
• Field clean-up
• Garlic planting
• Basic carpentry
• Basic record keeping
• Running a free-choice CSA
• Running a farm stand
• Attending a farmers market
• Community involvement/food access/free event planning

“Typical” Day:

Living and working on a small, diversified veggie farm means our days are never the same, but we try to build some consistency in where we can. A typical day starts at 8am with a Farmer Circle, where we stretch, share any personal thoughts that we care to, and go over the to-do list. We then break into small teams, or head off solo. Lunch break is one hour, and we try to end the day around 4. We rotate through market days (which can start as early as 4am!), and take turns running the farm stand. Hours worked per week vary depending on the time of year, but we typically work 40-50 hrs/wk, and take at least 1.5 days off/week. Apprentices receive one paid vacation day per month, and of course sick/personal days are available.

Educational Opportunities: Education is central to our apprenticeship program, and one of our favorite parts of farming. We share as much of our knowledge as we can, including opening our books, so that our apprentices learn all of what it takes to run a small vegetable farm. We encourage attending events hosted by MOFGA and other groups, as well as touring neighboring operations. We believe learning is a two way street, and a lifelong process; we value your perspective and are available as mentors to you for life.

Skills Desired: We do not require any previous farming experience, instead we look for: - A strong desire to learn - An exceptional work ethic - A positive attitude and great communication skills - The ability to thrive in a team or alone, to embrace both supportive and leadership roles - The ability to take care of oneself and others in physically and mentally challenging environments - The self-awareness and self-advocacy needed to live and work with a small, diverse group of people in a rural setting - A respect for the apprenticeship program, our farm business, and our community If you have significant farming experience (one or more full seasons), please consider applying for one of our management positions - ask Ruby FMI.

Meals: We provide basic groceries, all you can eat veggies from the farm, and a $100/month farm stand credit. Cooking is up to you, but lots of communal meals happen organically!

Stipend: Yes, we offer a stipend of $1,600/month and an end of season bonus. We also provide room and board.

Housing: Yes, each apprentice gets a small rustic cabin to themselves (think glamping)

Preferred method of Contact: email