Two words: MOFGA apprenticeship.

Last week there was an article in the Concord Monitor paper about Pletchers Farm aka the Vegetable Ranch that is having a really hard time finding help. If you don’t mind NH you might look them up. Good luck. We need more farmers!

Forgot to mention, I have a full time job and two young kids, so I’ll need something flexible I can do on the weekends.

Talk to the farmers that have apprenticeships listed in your area. Just email them.

With that kind of workload, UMaine extension workshops could also be a good option to dip your toe in.

Do you want to stay in Maine? Cause the Wendell Berry Farming Program in Kentucky is exactly that, it’s a free 2 year degree in agriculture, you just have to work the land the whole time, room and board is included I’m pretty sure. So you get experience and an associates as well as 2 years of not paying rent or for food, all you got to do is work and learn.

https://berrycenter.org/initiatives/farming-program/

What area are you looking in?

I believe Frith Farm has an apprenticeship program

Edit: in Scarborough I believe

Not sure if this is exactly what you’re looking for, but WWOOFing might open up some doors: https://wwoof.net

Look into it there's a community garden in your town or a nearby one. You can usually rent a plot pretty cheap and learn from other gardeners or just network with other people who have the same interests by showing up to volunteer days or similar.

You should check out Veggies to Table. They're an incredible growing to give farm, and welcome folks to come and learn on the farm.

You should check out Veggies to Table. They're an incredible growing to give farm, and welcome folks to come and learn on the farm.

Wrinkle In Thyme up in Sumner used to be part of that program. They might still be; I don't get up there as often as I used to.

Depending on where you are, the Merrymeeting Food Council has a farm skills training program, but it requires 40 hours a week. Plenty of farms will happily take volunteers, though, often in exchange for produce. Get to know the farms closest to you and start there.

WOLFF

This. Always need help and people there would gladly share their knowledge.

My daughter spent 6 months in New Zealand just woofing and going from one engagement to the next. Spent next to nothing.

It happens to everyone all the time.

WWOOF

Willing Workers On Organic Farms

Unfortunately farming isn't really flexible. Things need to happen based on weather, and growth.