When Jared “Jedi” Baker first showed up on Maine Cabin Masters, viewers didn’t know quite what to expect from the bearded carpenter with the calm demeanor and signature nickname. Nearly a decade later, he’s become one of the show’s most beloved personalities, proving that sometimes the quietest crew members make the biggest impact.
Born on December 20, 1978, in Gardiner, Maine, Jared was born on December 20, 1978, in Gardiner, Kennebec County, Maine. His roots in Central Maine run deep.
Raised on a cattle farm in Pittston by his parents Steve and Sue Baker (his mother Jean passed away in 2012), Jared grew up learning the skills that would later make him invaluable on television: hunting, fishing, playing hockey, and working with his hands.
He graduated from Gardiner Area High School in 1997, and like many Mainers, tried different paths before finding his calling, including a stint as a ski bum in Colorado before returning home to the Pine Tree State.
How “Jed” Became “Jedi”
The origin of his famous nickname is simpler than you might think, though it’s become one of the details fans love most. The entertainer earned this nickname from his father, Steve Baker, who used to call him “Jed.”
However, his nickname changed after the movie Star Wars came out, and people started calling him “Jedi”, like the fictional characters in the sci-fi film.
The name stuck, and now it’s impossible to imagine him being called anything else. Even his boat carries the moniker: Cobbossee Jed, a nod to both his nickname and the Maine waters he loves.
The Friendship That Built a Show
What many viewers don’t realize is that Jared’s presence on Maine Cabin Masters wasn’t a casting decision but a natural extension of real-life relationships. Other members are his sister Ashley (designer), her husband Ryan Eldridge (carpenter), and Morrill’s childhood friends from the Augusta-Gardiner area, Matt Dix and Jared Baker (master carpenters).
This connection explains the genuine camaraderie that resonates through every episode. These aren’t actors playing friends; they’re friends who happen to be on television.
Jared has been with Maine Cabin Masters since the show’s inception in 2017, working alongside Chase Morrill, Ashley, Ryan, and Dixie from day one.
Before Maine Cabin Masters, Jared had already carved out a solid reputation in Maine’s building scene. He’s been friends with Chase Morrill and the crew long before the cameras ever started rolling. That off-screen bond carries into every episode, it’s real, and fans feel it.
What Jedi Brings to the Build
On the show, Jared’s role goes far beyond comic relief (though he provides plenty of that too). On the show, Jared specializes in framing, support beams, and the kind of structural work that holds a cabin together through the harshest winters. But he’s also a jack-of-all-trades, roofing, siding, you name it.
When something needs to get done, Jedi’s your guy. His practical, hands-on approach to problem-solving often involves techniques born from years of experience rather than textbook learning.
Whether it’s spitting on screws to prevent wood from splitting or using a pencil to eyeball siding levels, Jedi’s methods reflect the kind of ingenuity that comes from actually doing the work.
Beyond his technical skills, Jared has become a co-owner of The Woodshed, the bar and restaurant behind Kennebec Cabin Company headquarters.
Chase Morrill, Ryan Eldridge, Ashley Morrill, and Jared “Jedi” Baker are the owners of the Woodshed and the celebrity faces behind the hit TV show Maine Cabin Masters. This business venture demonstrates his commitment not just to the show, but to building something lasting in his community.
Why Fans Love Jedi
Ask any Maine Cabin Masters devotee about their favorite cast member, and Jared’s name frequently tops the list. His appeal comes from a combination of factors that set him apart.
There’s his philosophy, best captured in his own words from the Kennebec Cabin Company website. “My biggest pet peeve is the saying ‘it is what it is.’ No, it is what you make it!” he insists. “Give me rocks, and I will crush it to sand, give me sand and I will heat it to glass, give me glass, and I will fill it with a tasty beverage! Make the best of every situation. It’s our only option.”
This can-do attitude, combined with his calm presence under pressure, has earned him the affection of viewers who appreciate someone who gets the job done without drama.
Yet Jedi’s not above a good laugh at his own expense. When asked about his dumbest injury, the dumbest way I have been injured was definitely falling off my roof and breaking my leg trying to break into my own place, after misplacing my keys at 2 am in the pouring rain.
It’s this willingness to be real, to share the mishaps alongside the successes, that makes him relatable.
The 2022 special episode “Jedi & Dixie’s Favorite Moments” gave fans a deeper look at what makes these two carpenters tick, highlighting their friendship and the projects that meant the most to them over the years.
Jared has also spoken about what he finds most rewarding about the work. He particularly enjoys seeing how families react when they see their restored cabin. For him, bringing an old place back to life not only keeps family memories alive, but helps ensure families will make new memories together for years to come.
Life Beyond the Cameras
When he’s not transforming cabins or running The Woodshed, Jared stays true to his outdoor roots. In my spare time you will find me playing outside on the water, on a mountain, roaming the city, exploring the woods or at the local watering hole enjoying some good company.
He’s an avid hockey player who participates in the sport year-round, and he’s also deeply involved in community activities.
Jared has spoken to high school students about life and aspirations, participated in charity events like the Dysart’s Snowmobile Ride-In for Pine Tree Society, and even threw the first pitch at a Red Sox game at Fenway Park representing the Maine Cabin Masters crew.
His involvement extends to the podcast “From the Woodshed,” where he occasionally joins Chase and Ryan to share behind-the-scenes stories and discuss everything from Maine moose-hunting lottery details to playing “Never Have I Ever, Maine Cabin Masters edition.”
The Evolution from Crew Member to Co-Owner
While some sources have incorrectly suggested Jared “joined later” than other cast members, the reality is he’s been part of the core team since the beginning.
What has evolved is his visibility and role within the broader Kennebec Cabin Company brand. From carpenter to co-owner of The Woodshed, from crew member to fan favorite, Jared’s journey mirrors the show’s own growth from regional DIY program to Magnolia Network success story.
His estimated net worth reflects this evolution as well, with various sources placing it between $750,000 and $3 million as of 2025, based on his television work, business ventures, and years of construction expertise.
He reportedly earns around $7,000 per episode, a figure that reflects both his on-screen presence and his essential role in the actual building work.
What Makes Jedi Different
In an era of reality television filled with manufactured drama and scripted conflicts, Jared Baker stands out precisely because he’s so uninterested in any of that. He shows up, does the work, cracks a joke, and goes home.
He embodies the Maine work ethic without needing to talk about it constantly. His social media presence (@redi54 on Instagram) focuses on the scenery and the work, with the self-aware hashtag #myhashtagsareridiculous showing he doesn’t take himself too seriously.
When asked what animal he’d be, his response was characteristically thoughtful: I would be a bald eagle. They have hardly any predators, can fly above it all and can spot every little bit of detail for miles.
It’s a fitting choice for someone who seems to maintain perspective while staying focused on the details that matter.
The success of Maine Cabin Masters now spans 11 seasons and over 160 episodes, with the recent spinoff Maine Cabin Masters: Building Italy extending the crew’s reach internationally.
Through it all, Jared has remained a constant presence, the steady hand who specializes in the structural work that literally holds everything together.
His journey from childhood friend helping out on cabin projects to co-owner of a thriving business and television personality beloved by fans across the country proves that authenticity still resonates, even in reality TV.
For viewers who’ve followed the show from the beginning, watching Jedi’s quiet confidence and genuine craftsmanship has been one of its most rewarding aspects.
He may not be the loudest voice on the crew, but he’s certainly one of the most essential, both to the builds themselves and to what makes Maine Cabin Masters work as entertainment.
In a show built on preserving Maine traditions and family memories, Jared Baker has become a tradition in his own right.
