Work With Us
Our team makes possible all of the exciting things that go on at Knoll Farm. Please join us. We work incredibly hard, and are always learning together. The place is always beautiful and every day is different, involving new people, new weather, new crops in season and an ever-changing experience of the land.
Knoll Farm has groups in residence every season; this may be diverse leaders from around the country doing independent work through our Better Selves Fellowship, environmental and social justice groups working on strategy, a yoga group, an intensive program for professional musicians, or a family celebration or wedding. It is vital to us that we provide the most respectful, thorough and authentic hospitality for everyone who comes.
We employ ten people on a seasonal basis from May to October. Some work mostly on the farm, others work mostly with guests at the Refuge. We all come together to tackle special projects and events. While we have individual roles, we try hard to create strong team integration.
We have a multi-day training and orientation every May, and we reward all returning team members who want to continue to grow into new roles with us.
We Love Volunteers!
There are lots of ways to be involved even if you only have a day, a few hours a week, or if you have a full week and want a working vacation in the beautiful Green Mountains.
- help out at a concert or food event
- help out customers in the farm stand on busy weekends
- pick berries for us and take some home for your freezer
- help us keep our hiking trails in good shape
- become a WWOOFer for a week or more
- join the mailing list (scroll down) to get more involved
Email us to set something up. We’d love to hear from you!
Development Lead
and Core Team Member for Program Advancement for First Light
FT / Remote position based in Maine
+/-40 hrs/week
Summary
Our development manager is responsible for fundraising and philanthropy for First Light. The responsibilities will include all aspects of seeking out, creating, and following up on grants and individual large donations, as well as the attendant record-keeping and communication necessary for overall smooth operations. All core team members are employees of New Learning Journey, the 501c3 fiscal agent of First Light and other partnerships. Existing core team members are Ellie Oldach, Peter Forbes, and Brett Ciccotelli who focus on the First Light’s themes of relearning, recentering and returning. More here
Program Assistant
in development, communications, publications and database management
FT/Year-Round
+/-40 hrs/week
We seek a thoughtful, creative individual to assist our leaders in Vermont and Maine with the critical work of program management in our long-established social justice venture. This person will work closely with those leaders on the logistics of our most important events, programs, and trainings. We seek a highly motivated, energetic individual at a point in their own career where they have skills to offer as well as the strong desire to learn, be mentored, and work alongside others with deep experience in this field. This position offers someone with openness and skills the chance to learn a great deal, to have significant responsibilities and accomplishment, and to work alongside senior individuals doing significant social justice work. More here
Retreat Manager
May 1- October 15 2024
+/- 40 hrs/week
May 1- October 15 2024
The Retreat Manager is the person most responsible for the overall experience of retreat participants including client relations before arrival. This position ensures that the client experience and quality of care provided are in line with our philosophy of radical hospitality, and are also expected to assist with the management and coordination of staff. More here
Berry Picking Crew
15 hrs/week July 1-August 20
This part-time, six-week role is an essential part of our operation and perfect for someone looking to get involved on a farm but leaving time for other things. Or it can be combined with our Refuge Crew as well. Our Berry Crew is vital to the success of our berry season, picking berries for our busy farm stand as well as many wholesale accounts and restaurants.
Retreat Cooks
June 15 – September 5
Do you enjoy designing menus, creating meals with locally sourced ingredients and sharing your passion for food with others? Each week that we have resident guests at the farm we prepare and serve three meals a day for around 20 people. The cook interacts closely with the farm as well, and has nearly unlimited creative opportunities to bring food to our community, including using the outdoor pizza oven and baking for the farm stand.
Position Filled
Farm Field Crew
30-40 hrs/week May 1 – October 1
Our farm field crew is vital to the success of our season. We have a busy pick-your-own blueberry orchard and farm stand and we also pick our organic berries for many wholesale accounts and restaurants. In addition to working in the orchard and picking berries, you will help with grazing and handling our flock of 80 Icelandic sheep, animal health checks, fixing fence lines, mowing and weeding, working in the vegetable gardens and hosting the many guests and visitors to the farm.
Position Filled
Expedition Chef
May 8-19 and September 11-25
Knoll Farm is looking for a Chef with love for adventure and outdoor cooking for two off-site retreats. Our dates for these 2023 retreats are: May 8-19 and September 11-25. The Chef will play a key role at this beautiful, remote location. The expedition chef plays the critical role of providing nutritious, culturally appropriate meals throughout the programming for between 6 and 15 people per day. If you love to camp, don’t mind working in the weather, have a sense of humor, and you enjoy being a member of a team, we would like to hear from you!
Position Filled
Retreat Staff
Hours per week: avg. 35 (varying week to week based on bookings)
May 1 – October 15
Our retreat staff play a vital role in keeping groups happy on the land, in our handmade buildings, and in any weather. Tasks include welcoming guests, helping with all aspects of meals, making fires, cleaning and tidying communal spaces, setting up for special events, welcoming and hosting groups, and being a responsible and welcoming presence to everyone who comes. No facilitation skills or prior retreat experience necessary.
Position Filled
Land Steward
Hours: 40 hrs/week
April 1 – October 15
Our Land Steward is a highly skilled Jack or Jill-of-all-trades who keeps the retreat center beautiful and running well. Responsibilities include maintaining foot paths, small building repairs and maintenance, groundskeeping and harvesting firewood. Some help on the farm is also part of this job. Must be able to work and problem solve alone, as well as work with a team.
Position filled
Assistant Farm Manager
40 hours per week
April – September
The Assistant Farm Manager is an experienced farm and field hand to help us manage all outdoor aspects of our high-season farming operation including our intensive grazing, orchard health, fruit harvest, and intersecting with the public. The farm grows each year and our Assistant Farm Manager helps us to advance our plans while working hard and learning together.
Position filled
Business Manager
FT/Year-Round
Our business manager is the principal contact with our business clients, manages the
accounting for both operations, supports the hiring process for our summer staff and is the
day-to-day liaison between the social profit business of Knoll Farm and the nonprofit
foundation, New Learning Journey. Both Knoll Farm and New Learning Journey have staff
working independently of each other toward related goals. The business manager is their
resource manager. The business manager also works hand-in-hand with the farm’s owners,
Peter Forbes and Helen Whybrow, and other principal stakeholders and staff of the foundation.
Position Filled.