Farmer Training
Each year we take on a number of new or newer farmers to share the joys (realities) of the farm life. Our farmers come to work for us for the season, and in return we provide extensive hands-on training in every aspect of our farm business.
We are have filled all the positions for 2024.
We are have filled all the positions for 2024.
What Previous Farmers and Workers Have To Say About Hancock Family Farm
Courtney - "Expressing how much gratitude I have for the Hancock Family may just be impossible. Everything the other farmers have shared about Geof as a teacher is true to form. He and his family provided us constant encouragement, laughter, we feasted like royalty many a night, and the music never stopped. This was my first full season living on a farm, and due to the immense amount of rainfall in 2023, not to mention a late frost, we experienced what many have called the worst farming season in decades. In the end, I’m grateful to have started with a difficult season, as Geof was able to show us the importance of resilience, creativity, patience and a positive attitude to pull through all kinds adversity. Even when we were struggling to keep upright in a downpour and ankle-deep mud, Geof was there to kept our spirits up shouting and singing even from afar on the tractor. The lessons I’ve learned at HFF from ushering in and taking life, to learning how to find our place in nature and society are ones that I will carry with me. The Casco community as well, consistently amazed me by how supportive and welcoming they were, always bringing by goodies and sharing plenty of stories. Not to mention all of the hiking, biking, swimming, ice-cream runs, movie nights and watching the sunset from Hacker’s Ridge. Thank you Geof, Addy and Mia for an exceptional and unforgettable summer."
Emilee - "There’s something in the water here… My time at Hancock Family Farm as an apprentice was irrationally and inexplicably a perfect time in my life. Geof is a gracious and generous mentor, host, and leader. He has cultivated a place and community on earth that provides grace, permission, acceptance, compassion, and safety for one to learn and grow in multiple facets. There are just as many lessons to receive at the dining room table during dinners as there are out in the field. Geof does an incredibly good job at breaking out of binary ways of thinking, and encouraging apprentices to recognize that nothing lives in a vacuum of being just one thing. My time spent working on the farm was grounding, fulfilling, and enriching. My summer farming taught me about the basic systems of market farming, skills, necessary equipment, the restrictions of farming, and gave me a good catalog of resources to further my knowledge on the topic. It also brought me self confidence, leadership skills, and life long friendships. I will forever be grateful for the summer I spent at Hancock Family Farm, it was a seminal time for my life."
Elsa - "I am so grateful for my time at Hancock Family Farm. The farmer training program is such a unique opportunity that cultivated growth in so many ways for me. Of course my farming knowledge has expanded, but so has my confidence, personal relationships and strength! The farm and vibes Geof has cultivated provide an excellent space to work and learn. It is a very special experience to be fully immersed in the culture of a small town organic family farm."
Marly - "HFF is a magical place. I look back on my season there like it was a dream composed of gorgeous sunsets, countless whoopie pies, and a whole lotta dirt. The work is hard, don't get me wrong, but you are surrounded by so much beauty in the land, simplicity in the way of life, and positivity from the humans you are working alongside, that everything else becomes background noise, drowned out by gratitude and giggles. Geof Hancock is the best farming mentor you could imagine. He'll push you to work harder and more efficiently than you ever thought you could, while encouraging and supporting you in all the right ways. He'll challenge you, make you laugh, inspire you, question you, and teach you so much about farming, patience, perseverance, and who you want to be. My season had buckets of sweat, several days in the pouring rain, the occasional tear, one harvest of far too many cukes, and moments of feeling very small in this big world, but I always found myself laughing in the end and that's what mattered most. You'll also be kept laughing by Geof's daughters, Addie & Mia, who are bright, intelligent, and hilarious young women. Being a part of their family for a season was a true honor, and I recommend everyone go experience this farm's magic for themselves."
Kaitlyn - "There is little I can say that hasn’t been said by my fellow farmers here already, which goes to show the wonder of the communality of this farm apprenticeship. From the first day, an incredible team unity is cultivated. Silliness and focus are coexist miraculously, starting in the greenhouse through to the finishing field clean-ups. To manage ten acres of organic vegetable production is a lot of work, but the work is rarely tiresome. Any grueling elements are translated into gratifying challenges, done as a cohesive and joyful team serenaded by the cosmic shuffle, all fueled by the same scrambled eggs and chemex coffee. Every day as a farm apprentice brought new lessons in how to grow food, enjoy the land, roast vegetables, and ecologically manage a farm—all followed by a swim in the nearby lake. In my final year of an undergraduate degree in agricultural sciences, I can safety say that my university could only dream of giving me as much practical knowledge and skill as the Hancock family farm did in just 10 weeks. Geof is a perpetually inspiring and insightful leader, and to work for him is an unbeatable opportunity for young farmers."
Bronya - "Farming at the Hancock Family Farm was one of the best decisions I've made. I learned so much each day from Geof, and he was always generous with his knowledge and was a natural teacher. Most days were long and fast paced, but spread with a lot of laughter and good conversations. Geof put a great deal of trust in me and it was great as the season went on to feel pretty confident in being able to do a lot of tasks on my own that I wouldn't think I'd be doing at the beginning of the season. Addie and Mia are both absolute delights and it was really special to be part of their lives. The farm is such a beautiful place and it was wonderful to be near Casco and lots of water, which was especially appreciated after long hot days of farming! I have many peaceful memories sitting outside each evening."
Maddy - "During my summer at the Hancock Family Farm I learned so much about the intricacies of running an organic vegetable farm. I also practiced skills that are more challenging to articulate: self confidence, perseverance, decision making, positivity, communication. Hard work was balanced with silliness, intellectual debates and plenty of ice cream. Geof is an excellent farmer, mentor and friend who not only welcomed us to their farm but also into their wonderful family and community. There is something undeniably special about that space that cannot necessarily be put into words and must be experienced for yourself. I feel immensely lucky to have gained so many useful skills and knowledge as well as wonderful relationships during my time at HFF."
Emma - "I feel so incredibly lucky to have found Hancock Family Farm and had the opportunity to spend a season living, learning, and working there. Geof is one of the kindest, funniest, most encouraging, generous, and all-around best people that I’ve ever met, and exactly the mentor that I wanted to have while learning to farm. He is a knowledgeable and patient teacher, always taking the time to thoughtfully answer questions no matter what tasks are on the day’s to-do list, and willing to share his personal experiences and insights into the realities of farm life (and life in general). He balanced honesty and support to push me to be the best version of myself, and made me a better farmer and a better person because of it. Geof welcomed us into their home and lives, and balanced the long days and sometime monotonous tasks with humor, good vibes, baked goods, and so much laughter that it made my stomach hurt. I learned more about farming and myself than I ever could have hoped for, not to mention having some of the most fun I’ve ever had and spending a summer in a gorgeous part of Maine!"
Ryan - "While my time at the Hancock Family Farm was short, I truly wish I found HFF earlier in the season. It is rare to find a person as supportive and honest as Geof and he is an incredible mentor for individuals looking to pursue a career in agriculture. He allowed me to see the operational side of running a family farm consisting of a CSA, farm stand and farmers markets. It is a lot to manage, but they approach the task with humor and positive vibes, which create a fun learning atmosphere in a beautiful part of Maine. You will not forget your time at the Hancock Family Farm!"
Abby - "The summer I spent at Hancock Family Farm will definitely be remembered for a long time to come. Geof is a character, and there were lots of good vibes. They know a lot about farming and were always ready to answer any question I had. They welcomed me into their family when I was there. It was way more than just a job.
We worked very hard and there were many harvest days that ended late, but they were always countered by "sidewards" afternoons and doughnut runs. There was always music playing, even if we were planting on a tractor... I really had a great time farming with them.
The farm is incredibly beautiful, making many hard days infinitely better. I learned a lot from them - about farming and about my own goals-and they couldn't have been nicer people. "
Mike - "I have been trying to describe my season at HFF to friends and family and I can’t seem to find a word, phrase, or sentence to give it justice. The knowledge and perspective I gained while working for Geof is irreplaceable. Vegetables, fencing, building a walk-in cooler, haying out a barn, cutting squash, roto-tilling... Those are just a few out of dozens of things I learned about at HFF. It made the person, worker, and farmer I am today. Some blood, a lot of sweat, and maybe a couple of tears were shed during my season.
My season at HFF will always have a special place in my life and I will forever be thankful for what Geof has done for me and continue to do for me!"
Matt - "I still have dreams that I'm back on the farm. I didn't realize how much I'd learned at the HFF until after I'd left. Geof will get the best out of you, whether you like it or not. He's contagiously optimistic, a tireless motivator with a comedian's streak who'll ask a lot of you but always put you in position to succeed. I still hear him chirping off in the back of my mind every time I start to doubt myself. There is no other Geof Hancock in this world. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll sweat, you'll freeze, you'll get lost in the woods, caught in the rain, stuck in the mud, you'll curse your life and you'll look up and wonder why you got so lucky to be right where you are, with the people you're with, doing what you're doing, surrounded by so much of nature's simple beauty and honest grace. You'll write an apprentice testimonial even sappier and more sentimental than this.
Leaving HFF felt like leaving home. I wouldn't trade my time in Maine for anything. There's magic on the mountain."
Heather - "I had the opportunity to work for Geof for a short time last fall. When I think about my time there, I feel whole and happy. I learned a lot while I was there. Of course, Geof taught me important day-to-day skills for farming and marketing successfully. But I also learned a bit about the history and the community of where we farmed, the essence of that town, and I got a glimpse at how farming and family come together. The Hancock Family Farm is an amazing place, and apprenticing there fueled my desire to pursue farming as my life work. The farmers are funny people, and it's the combination of humor and passion that I remember when I think of all the folks I got to work with and meet through the HFF."
Melissa - "This was my first time farming and I don't think I could have found a better place to learn. Geof is an incredible mentor...funny, knowledgeable, and patient. Geof always seeks to pull out what is best in a person. He knows when to highlight and commend your strengths, but will always push and challenge you to overcome your weakness. He knows the importance of balance.... hard work is always tempered with laughter. He loves nature and his knowledge of the subject is endless. His pride of Maine makes him a wonderful host, always sharing the beauty and history of his home. Farming is such a personal way to provide for one's family. Yet, Geof was always trusting and open with us. This trust helped us to learn very quickly what farming is all about. Adeline and Emilia are just as much fun to watch growing as every vegetable in their field. They are just as talented and dynamic as their parents and a wonderful part of the Hancock Family experience.
There is not a day that goes by when I do not think about the HFF. There is something very special about the land and the community that exists in that corner of the world. I really don't know what I expected to learn, but I left the HFF with more knowledge of myself, community, and love.
It was wicked fun."
Frayser - "My season at the Hancock Family Farm was one of the best summers of my life. It was a wonderful growing operation in a beautiful area of western Maine. Geof isn't just a farmer by any means. He's a teacher and artist as well. There was plenty of instruction, but I learned mostly by being included in all the daily tasks of vegetable production, livestock management, as well as the business side of the farm. Even when the work was particularly strenuous, he always found a way to keep it interesting and our spirits high. We always did the work as a team and relied on each other, but I also appreciated their trust to do many things myself. Geof's business is an open book, and he was a great source of knowledge of all things farm and otherwise. His distinct personality and work style gave dimension to what would otherwise be a one-sided learning experience. Emilia and Adeline are just as distinct, but they are mostly just hilarious. The tight-knit community of friends and farmers in the area were also very fun and welcoming."
Leslie - "My apprenticeship at Hancock Family was a wonderful experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. Geof was knowledgeable, flexible, and always attentive to the needs of their apprentices. Their passions for farming, family, and community were present in all that we did. I had both the opportunity to work right alongside them, benefiting from their extensive farming experience, and to work independently with my own responsibilities. Geof was always patient with me, whether I was feeding the livestock for the first time, struggling to keep up with the rush at farmers' markets, or learning to drive their beloved tractor around the fields. I learned every part of the farming process, from planting in the spring to preparing the fields for winter, and I had an active part in all of it. I now feel confident and experienced in producing healthy food in a sustainable way. Most importantly, during my apprenticeship with Geof I always felt that I was not only a part of their farm, but a part of his family. It was a fantastic season!"
Becky - "I had the pleasure of working with Geof for the 2008 growing season. I can say that as a mentor and manager Geof always thinks of others first. No matter how tired he always finds time to answer questions, provide feedback, and afford encouragement (and at times a little friendly competition). His easy going nature makes it possible for personalities to blend no matter how different they might be. He strives to be the best and he strives to make his apprentices the best as well."
Terra - "I was an apprentice on the Hancock Family Farm for the summer of ‘08. Geof is probably one of the most patient, easy-going people to have a mentor. For one, he somehow was never too busy or tired to endure my endless amount of questions. For this reason, I left my time with him with a solid enough understanding to now manage a farm on my own! Geof was always ready to listen to any concerns I had, whether about the farm or my personal life. As any successful farmer should be, he was observant and flexible. He will challenge you, but knows when to provide guidance and when to step back. He is extremely generous and kind, and made stops for ice cream an integral part of my farming experience! Geof can be an extremely social person at times and cares deeply about his community, so his circle of friends and acquaintances reaches far and wide. Probably one his most endearing traits is his ability to keep a sense of humor and positive attitude at the end of even the most exhausting days."
Evan - "I have never had so much fun farming as I did working with Geof. Few people bring the amount of passion and enthusiasm to their work that he does. Hancock Family Farm is my hands down favorite farm."
Julianna - "It was always a pleasure-- they kept morale high and never failed to see the endless good in what we were accomplishing. I learned sooo much, most of which they naturally shared in a stream-of-consciousness type way while we were weeding or planting or picking bugs. Working at the farm definitely gave me a new perspective on how everything ties together: the weather, soil, plants, people--all that science stuff I learned in a classroom but never really experienced. Very cool."