ORGANIC FARMING

Job title: Seed and Vegetable Grower
Type: paid, year-round position (see below)
Organic farm: Saanich Organics
Location: Northbrook Farm, Saanichton, Greater Victoria BC

Saanich Organics is seeking a Seed Production and Veggie Grower for approx 1.25 acres outside Victoria, located at Northbrook Farm. 

Saanich Organics is a trio of hard working, dedicated farmers from small, certified organic farms who have been working together since 2002. In 2008 we started a seed production arm to compliment our vegetable production and because of the dire need for farmers to keep control of our seed supply.

The three farmers come together twice a week during the high season to our packing building located at Northbrook Farm in the Mt Newton Valley. Northbrook is also the location of the seed business and the greenhouse and field crops that accompany it. Together we sell our produce through a CSA, to restaurants and grocers, and two farmers markets. We employ an admin/sales person, a CSA manager, a seed manager, two drivers, a bookkeeper, and several farmhands.

We hold several events throughout the season to help foster community among our farmhands, notably a Spring potluck, a zucchini bake-off and a year end dinner party to show our deep appreciation for those who make Saanich Organics what it is.

The ideal candidate is a hard worker with a farming and seed growing background and is ready for a self directed but supported experience. They must be physically fit, highly organized, comfortable supervising others, have a flexible mindset, be a great communicator, and have the ability to troubleshoot problems. In short they should be able to navigate the many factors that influence outcome in a diverse cropping scenario:)

This is a great position for a someone with 2-3+ years experience that is ready to take on an area of responsibility and grow with it, helping Saanich Organics make Seed production a more financially viable enterprise. Preference will be given to those who are in it for the longer term. 

Start date is Jan 2019 

Time commitment is 30-40 hours a week for April through November, dropping to 10-20 hours a week through winter with the least hours in January.

Competitive wage of $16/hr and profitshare offered, along with access to plenty of fresh veggies!

Interested parties please respond with cover letter and resume to:
info@saanichorganics.com

Basic descriptions of both aspects of the job below:

Seeds of the Revolution is a seed production and sales division of Saanich Organics. This business is a for-profit entity that is responsible for growing and selling over 80 varieties of seed. General duties include:

• Crop planning and tracking the crop production cycle for our organic certification records
• Growing seed crops with use of rototiller, organic amendments, lots of use of hand tools
• Producing seed to the standards set by the Organic Seed Alliance (attention to isolation distances, crossing, population sizes, trait selection, etc)
• Processing, storing and packing seed
• Managing sales of bulk seeds to other growers, to the BC EcoSeed co-op and to our own farms affiliated with Saanich Organics
• Managing the packet sales of seeds to: retail outlets, Seedy Saturday events, markets and our box program.
• Tracking inventory and updating inventory list, managing products for sale and compiling sales
• Communicating with Saanich Organics owners and our customers
• Attending seed sales and seed events 

Greenhouse and Field Crop Production

• Management of 20x160’ greenhouse planted in seed crops in summer and salad greens in winter
• Management of approx 1/2 acre of strawberry production and 1/4 acre of salad greens, 1/4 acre of seed crops, and a small amount of winter squash and carrots.
• Supervision of one field hand and possible strawberry harvesters
• All aspects of production of high quality crops (planting, weeding, irrigating, harvesting, pest control, quality control)
• Ordering deliveries of compost and manure, picking up supplies 
• Crop projections, and timely harvests, tracking the crop production cycle for our organic certification records

Interested parties please respond with cover letter and resume to: 
info@saanichorganics.com

We look forward to meeting and working with you!

When applying, please indicate that you saw this posting at FoodWork.ca.