ORGANIC VEGETABLE FARMING

Positions: Organic Farm Crew
Farm: Wild Flight Farm

Location: Mara, North Okanagan, BC
Housing: Access to rental housing may be an option but not guaranteed. Applicants should live locally or be prepared to relocate near Mara, BC. Surrounding towns include: Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Enderby.

Who we are:

Wild Flight Farm is a 24-acre certified organic mixed vegetable farm in Mara, BC that has grown into a successful business over the past 30 years. This firmly-established family farm has a strong following at year-round farmer’s markets in the communities of Salmon Arm and Revelstoke. Produce is also shipped weekly to organic home delivery services in Kelowna and Vernon.

Over the years the farm has developed to include 13 high tunnels and a large heated house for seedling production. We grow all our own transplants and the tunnels allow for significant season extension, allowing us to reach early spring markets with fresh greens and root crops. Later in spring, the high tunnels are home to heat-loving crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. We have also developed a large packing/storage facility which allows our employees to work comfortably and efficiently while enabling appropriate storage conditions for a wide diversity of crops.

The rural location in the North Okanagan/Shuswap is within a 30-minute drive of the communities of Salmon Arm, Enderby and Sicamous. The farm borders the Shuswap River in a region known for diverse outdoor recreation opportunities from paddling, mtn. biking, hiking, climbing, and much more.

There are two main seasons at Wild Flight, with some overlap. We generally employ a crew of 12 full-time employees through the growing season (May to October) and 5 full-time employees to carry the farm through the winter market season. Our mission is to efficiently produce high-quality, organic vegetables and culinary herbs for local markets while providing living wages and career advancement opportunities for 12 employees.

What we are looking for:

Wild Flight Farm is seeking energetic individuals with a keen interest in growing organic food to join our 2024 farm team. The work varies from week to week and will include transplanting, weeding, harvesting and preparation of produce for market, among other tasks. This work is best suited for people who exhibit the following qualities:

• Positive attitude that contributes to an efficient and enjoyable work environment
• Keen to contribute ideas and demonstrate problem solving abilities
• Experience with physical labor or intense outdoor activity
• Physically fit and capable of repetitive physical tasks and repetitively lifting 50 lbs
• At least one season of farming / horticulture / outdoor work experience

• Knowledge of organic farming practices is an asset
• Self-motivated and hardworking
• Forward thinking
• Ability to work at a fast pace in groups or alone
• Ability to work in all types of weather (hot, rainy, cold and potentially smoky)
• Good sense of humour and desire to work in a team setting

A farm staff position at Wild Flight Farm is ideal for someone who has some related experience and is looking to engage in a more production-focused type of growing. We seek motivated individuals who are focused and thrive in a production farm environment.

Experience is definitely an asset but we are happy to train people who have a positive attitude and are eager to learn new skills. Leadership roles and advancement are available for candidates with the right experience or motivation.

What you get:

• Position is full-time, seasonal April/May - November.
• Starting wage range is $20-$22/hour depending on experience

• Access to farm produce, as seasonally available, for personal/family use
• Access to rental housing may be an option but not guaranteed. Applicants should live locally or be prepared to relocate near Mara, BC. Surrounding towns include: Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Enderby.

How to Apply?

Email your resume or related questions to Produce@WildFlightFarm.ca 

Please include a cover letter describing your motivation to apply for this job and the specific skills/experience you have that match the work description and skills required.

Please indicate you saw this posting at FoodWork.ca.