Artisan Food & Farm Store Associate

Mary's Land Farm; Ellicott City (MD); On-site; USD 15,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Mary's Land Farm in Ellicott City, MD is seeking a personable, detail-oriented Artisan Food & Farm Store Associate for a part-time position based at the farm store. You will guide guests through an artisan oil and balsamic tasting experience, assist with farm-raised meat selections, and connect visitors with local producers.

Responsibilities include preparing and shipping customer orders, assisting with festival and Inn-related tasks, and maintaining a welcoming, well‑organized store

Qualifications

• Friendly, outgoing personality with proven sales or hospitality experience.
• Genuine interest in local food systems, small producers, and community connection.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Able to problem-solve independently as issues arise.
• Comfortable working across different roles and settings on a working farm property.
• Physically able to meet the requirements listed above.

Responsibilities

• Welcome customers by greeting them and offering assistance.
• Guide guests through the store, suggesting products and sharing the stories behind them.
• Educate customers on the farm's meats, artisan oils and balsamics, and other local partner products.
• Process payments accurately (cash, check, credit/debit).
• Restock shelves, maintain displays, and keep the store clean and organized.
• Pack, label, and ship customer orders, ensuring products arrive in excellent condition.
• Support Inn with housekeeping, turnover, and guest experience needs as scheduled.
• Assist with festival and event operations, including setup, guest flow, vendor support, and day-of hospitality.
• Represent the farm's mission and values consistently across every guest touchpoint.

Skills

Quality appreciation

Customer needs assessment

Customer connection

POS operation

Packing & shipping

Flexibility across roles

Customer service

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Mary's Land Farm is seeking a personable, detail-oriented Artisan Food & Farm Store Associate who values quality food and its origins, and who can communicate that value to others. This is a part-time position based at our farm store in Ellicott City, Maryland.

This role is centered in the farm store, where the associate will guide guests through an artisan oil and balsamic tasting experience, assist them in navigating the farm‑raised meat selection, and introduce them to the local and regional producers the farm partners with. The associate will also prepare and ship customer orders, and will serve as a knowledgeable resource on farm happenings, upcoming events and festivals, and the small businesses and makers within the surrounding community.

Because Mary's Land Farm operates as one connected property, this position also shares duties with the Inn and our seasonal festivals when additional support is needed, including housekeeping turnover, guest check‑in support, and event‑day setup and hospitality. We are looking for someone flexible and team‑oriented who is willing to assist wherever the farm requires that day.

Skills for this position include:

• Genuine appreciation for quality food, local sourcing, and the stories behind products and partners
• Ability to assess customer needs and build sales through education rather than pressure
• Ability to connect with customers and explain the use of various meat cuts and culinary products
• Working knowledge of the farm's history, current happenings, upcoming events, and local business partners
• Ability to operate a point‑of‑sale system in a timely and accurate manner
• Ability to pack, label, and ship customer orders accurately and carefully
• Flexibility to move between store, Inn, and event support, including selling, shipping, cleaning, guest hosting, and event assistance, all with a positive attitude
• Strong customer service orientation and a team‑first mindset

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and remain on one's feet for extended periods throughout a shift
• Ability to lift and carry boxes weighing up to 50 lbs
• Ability to bend, reach, and move product and shipping materials throughout the store and storage areas

Schedule and Seasonal Demand

Store hours: 10–5 Monday through Saturday, 12–5 Sundays.

Hours are flexible and vary by season and business needs. Weekend availability is expected. Additional hours and schedule flexibility are needed during the holiday season, when customer traffic and shipping orders increase, as well as during festival weekends and periods of Inn coverage.

Possible full‑time positions may become available for the right candidate.

COMPENSATION

This position is hourly, varies DOE, $11.00–$19.00.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

In the Store

• Welcome customers by greeting them and offering assistance
• Guide guests through the store, suggesting products and sharing the stories behind them
• Educate customers on the farm's meats, artisan oils and balsamics, and other local partner products
• Share information about local and regional business partners, community happenings, and farm news
• Process payments accurately (cash, check, credit/debit)
• Exercise sound judgment to resolve customer issues as they arise
• Restock shelves, maintain displays, and keep the store clean and organized

Order Fulfillment and Shipping

• Pack, label, and ship customer orders, ensuring products arrive in excellent condition
• Prepare orders for carrier pickup and maintain accurate shipping records
• Support increased order volume and customer demand during the holiday rush

Across the Property

• Support the Inn with housekeeping, turnover, and guest experience needs as scheduled
• Assist with festival and event operations, including setup, guest flow, vendor support, and day‑of hospitality
• Represent the farm's mission and values consistently across every guest touchpoint, whether in the store, at the Inn, or on the festival grounds
• Contribute to overall team effort by assisting wherever needed
• Maintain scheduling commitments across all areas of responsibility

QUALIFICATIONS

• Friendly, outgoing personality with proven sales or hospitality experience
• Genuine interest in local food systems, small producers, and community connection
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Able to problem‑solve independently as issues arise
• Comfortable working across different roles and settings on a working farm property
• Physically able to meet the requirements listed above

We are looking forward to receiving your application. Thank you.