Mushroom Farm Intern – Spore the Merrier

Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2026 at 12:03PM MST

Internship information

General Farm Description: Spore the Merrier is a small scale gourmet mushroom farm on Bainbridge Island, Washington. We grow fresh oyster, shiitake, lion’s mane, and other specialty mushrooms for local farmers markets, restaurants, and community members. Our farm is in an exciting stage of growth. What started as a small market operation is developing into a year round farm with wholesale outlets and specialty products. We are building systems that allow us to grow more food while staying rooted in local markets, sustainable practices, and a hands-on approach to farming. Mushroom farming is different from traditional field agriculture. Instead of planting in rows, we work through a cycle of substrate preparation, pasteurization, inoculation, incubation, and fruiting. There is a lot of repetition and physical work, but also plenty of problem-solving, experimentation, and opportunities to learn. We are located on the Kitsap Peninsula, close to the Seattle ferry and surrounded by farms, forests, beaches, trails, and a strong community of small-scale farmers and food producers. The big city is easily accessible while the Olympic Peninsula and the rest of Kitsap offer plenty to explore on days off.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: March/April 2027
Internship Ends: November 2027
Number of Internship Available: 1-2
Application Deadline: ASAP
Minimum Length of Stay: 6-8mo

Internship Details:

We are looking for someone who wants to spend a season learning the ins and outs of a small mushroom farm while becoming part of the local agricultural community.

The internship is approximately 25 hours per week, generally spread across 4–5 days. Work will be hands-on and will change with the needs of the farm and the production cycle.

Interns will work alongside the farm team on tasks including:

Preparing and mixing mushroom substrate
Bagging and preparing blocks for sterilization/pasteurization
Inoculating substrate with mushroom spawn
Monitoring colonization and moving blocks through the production cycle
Maintaining fruiting rooms and environmental systems
Harvesting and processing fresh mushrooms
Cleaning and sanitizing fruiting room and laboratory
Packing orders and preparing for farmers markets
Working farmers market booth
Learning how a small agricultural business is planned and operated

There will also be opportunities to take on more responsibility as you become comfortable with the systems and develop your own interests.

We are hoping for someone interested in staying for the majority of the growing season, ideally from spring through November.

Start dates are flexible, preferred start in March to get a lay of the land before market season kicks off.

We are also hoping to develop opportunities for longer-term work beyond the internship for the right person as the farm continues to grow.

Educational Opportunities: We are proud to be paired with the WSU Kitsap Farm Mentor Program (https://extension.wsu.edu/regionalsmallfarms/kitsap-farm-mentor-program/) The program provides mentees opportunities to connect with other interns and small farms in the area. If you are interested in splitting time with other mentors to gain a diversity of farm experience, do not hesitate to ask. We are a tight-knit community always looking for chances to help one another. This is primarily a hands-on, work-based internship. Most of the learning will happen while working together and talking through the tasks at hand. You will get an introduction to gourmet mushroom production, from preparing raw materials all the way through harvesting and selling the finished product. We will also spend time discussing farm systems, troubleshooting problems, and looking at different ways to plug into the greater community through education and outreach. Topics will include mushroom biology and identification, substrate formulation, spawn production, sterile technique, pasteurization and sterilization, incubation, fruiting-room environmental management, harvesting and post-harvest handling, sanitation, food safety, farm infrastructure, production planning, inventory management, farmers markets, sales, and the economics of running a small farm. For someone particularly interested in starting their own farm or food business, there will be opportunities to learn more about the business side of agriculture, including production forecasting, market development, infrastructure planning, and the process of building a farm from the ground up. About Me & Why I Offer This Internship I came to the Pacific Northwest without knowing exactly where I was going to end up. I spent a year WWOOFing on farms while working in restaurants and saving money, using the experience to learn how other people farmed, meet people, and figure out what kind of life I wanted to build for myself. Farming has given me a way to connect with a place and its community while learning practical skills and eventually building something of my own. I started Spore the Merrier because I wanted to create a small farm that could be part of that same community. One of the things I enjoy most about farming is that there is always another person to learn from, another project to work on, or another way of doing something. I'd love for this internship to provide some of that same experience for someone else — a chance to spend a season in a beautiful part of the country, learn how a farm works, meet people in the local agricultural community, save some money, and hopefully leave with new skills and a better idea of what kind of life or work they want to build for themselves.

Skills Desired: You should be comfortable spending time on your feet, lifting bags and supplies, working in warm or humid spaces, and doing the less glamorous parts of farming — cleaning, organizing, and keeping systems running. Prior experience with construction, mechanics, gardening, cooking, farmers markets, or small business is a plus, but none of it is necessary. Previous mushroom-growing or farming experience is not required; Curiosity and a willingness to learn are more important. We are looking for someone who is: Dependable and willing to work Comfortable with physical work and repetitive tasks Detail-oriented Comfortable working independently once trained Curious Adaptable Clean and conscientious Interested in agriculture, food, fungi, sustainability, or starting a farm of their own We are especially interested in applicants who want hands-on experience with mushroom cultivation, small-scale agriculture, farm operations, or sustainable food production. Useful skills include attention to detail, cleanliness and sanitation, physical work, organization, and an interest in learning. Farm and/or service industry experience is preferred but not required. No previous mushroom growing experience is required; like the diverse world of fungi we are looking for applicants from all different backgrounds.

Meals: Farm fresh mushrooms are always available. Please reach out to find more info on the room and board situation.

Stipend: $500/mo + room and board for 25hrs/wk

Housing: Yes

Contact information

Farm Address:
7439 NE Coyote Farm Ln
Bainbridge Island, Washington, 98110

Primary Contact: Zeke
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 434-409-8326
    Email: sporethemerrier@gmail.com

Website: https://www.sporethemerrier.com/

Preferred method of Contact: Cell