SUSTAINABLE FARMING

Position: Farmers Market Lead and Field Assistant
Organization: KPU Farm Schools - Tsawwassen First Nation
Location: Delta, Greater Vancouver BC

Term: May — November 2021
Funding eligibility: age 15-30 (see below)

The Institute for Sustainable Food Systems at Kwantlen Polytechnic University is currently seeking applicants for the position of Farmers Market Lead and Field Assistant at KPU Farm Schools - Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to fill the position of Farmers Market Lead and Field Assistant at the Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School for the 2021 growing season. This position will lead the sale of farm products at farmers markets as well as assist with our CSA program. This position will also assist in seasonal field work including harvesting, weeding, animal husbandry, crop maintenance, amongst other field tasks. This position requires someone with some farming and sales/customer service experience. As an education farm dedicated to regenerative farming practices and local food systems, we are looking for someone who is passionate about regenerative agriculture, building local food systems, and food systems education.

The Institute for Sustainable Food Systems

The Institute for Sustainable Food Systems (ISFS) is a research and extension institute based at KPU’s Richmond campus. Through an integrated program of applied research, extension programming, and community engagement, ISFS investigates and supports regional food systems as key elements of sustainable communities. ISFS focuses its work predominantly within British Columbia but also extends to other regions. More information is available at http://www.kpu.ca/isfs.

Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School

Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School is a collaboration between the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) and the ISFS. First of its kind, the school fuses regenerative agriculture and traditional indigenous food systems as tools to build community and create dialogue around land stewardship for the future. The school program is open to all with curiosity on how to feed a growing population while restoring the land. The program takes place on traditional TFN lands on a 20-acre, Certified Organic farm that boasts a 2-acre mixed fruit orchard, 5-7 acres in vegetable production, livestock (hogs and laying hens), and incubator plots for program graduates. The Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School is a gathering place to raise awareness around human scaled alternative food production systems. More information is available at http://www.kpu.ca/tfnfarm.

Position Description: Field & Sales Assistant at KPU Farm Schools - Tsawwassen First Nation

Wage: $16-18/ hour (based on experience)

Hours: 40 hours per week; Wednesday-Sunday; work hours will vary depending on the day of the week

Contract: Casual Service Contract, May 2021 to November 2021

Supervisor: Dr. Kent Mullinix (ISFS Director), Katherine Hastie (Vegetable Production Manager)

Eligibility:

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Eligible for Canada Summer Job funding
• Valid Social Insurance Number and legally entitled to work in Canada

Qualifications:

• Class 5 driver’s license
• Minimum 1 year of farming experience
• Sales, marketing and customer service experience
• Farmers market experience an asset
• Mixed vegetable harvesting experience an asset
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work outside in all weather
• Willingness to work some over time depending on farm needs
• A keen interest in small-scale, regenerative agriculture
• A willingness to learn and become an integral part of the farm team
• Interest in working with a diversity of people including the Tsawwassen First Nation community
• Valid First Aid Certificate an asset
• Owning a vehicle for commuting to and from the farm is an asset

Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend 3-4 Farmers Markets per week
• Manage and train farm students and volunteers during market shifts
• Participate in general farm field work including seeding, transplanting, weeding, pruning, and fall clean up activities
• Harvest and process farm products for distribution & sale at farmers markets, CSA program and wholesale outlets (we harvest two full days per week on Tuesdays and Fridays)
• Assist in livestock operations including feeding, watering and rotating pigs and chickens
• Follow the farm’s certified organic growing practices
• Be knowledgeable about the farm school programs and farm products to help with promotion and answer customer inquiries

To apply for this position, please submit your resume to Katherine Hastie (Vegetable Production Manager) at: katherine.hastie@kpu.ca

Application will remain open until the position is filled.

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Canada Summer Jobs Eligiblity: 

To be eligible, youth must:

• be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment*;
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment**; and,
• have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

*The youth must be 15 years of age at the beginning of the employment period. The youth may be more than 30 years of age at the end of the employment period as long as the youth was 30 at the beginning of the employment period.

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