Organic market gardening

Position: Organic market garden assistant
Farm: Feather and Fir Farm
Eligibility: age 30 & under (see below)

Location: Coldwater, near Barrie, Orillia & Midland, Ontario
Accom.: sorry, no on-site accommodation is available

Feather & Fir Farm is a young but quickly growing market garden farm on a hundred acres near the quaint village of Coldwater, Ontario. We grow between 30 to 35 vegetables and herbs using organic/regenerative methods and we are branching into cutting and dye flowers this summer. We sell at 3 farmers' markets in the area and will be starting a small CSA operation this summer as well. We raise a variety of layers and Welsh Harlequin ducks and are excited to be adding some heritage turkeys to the mix!

We are looking for a second employee (between the age of 15 to 30) who lives close by or within driving distance. Preferably the chosen candidate would be able to use a walk behind tractor (BCS) or have the strength and inclination to want to learn. We follow the methods of JM Fortier from the Market Gardener Institute and use 100 foot beds alongside our coldframe greenhouses and caterpillar tunnel. This will be a big summer for us as well as we are also opening up an acre plot for organic potato production.

We love good food and would be happy for you to join us to eat and take home fresh vegetables at the end of the work week!

Responsibilities

• seeding, planting, amending the soil. irrigating, weeding, harvesting, washing and packing
• helping with small building projects
• setting up and taking down irrigation systems
• general market garden maintenance
• occasional help with sales on line through our e-commerce platform and/or at farmers' markets

Qualifications

• between the age of 15 and 30 and a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident of Canada or a status refugee
• interested in learning about regenerative and diversified farming
• strong work ethic and capable of doing repepitive tasks and lifting up to 50 pounds
• open to feedback and happy to work with others
• capable of working outside in any weather condition
• has transportation to and from the farm as we don't provide accomodation
• excited about the positive impact of small, sustainable, diversified farms in the world
• experience working on a farm or at a farmers market a plus

Timelines and Wage

• Start date would be the beginning of May to the end of October, 2024
• Full-time, Monday to Friday mostly (but possibly an exchange for a weekday if Saturday help is needed)
• $17 to $19 an hour depending on experience

To apply, please e-mail your resume and a brief cover letter to Allison at carlandallison5@gmail.com .

Please indicate you saw this posting at FoodWork.ca.