Market gardening, Sustainable and organic

Hiring: Market Garden Team Members
Farm: Feather and Fir Farm, Ontario

Location: Just outside of the village of Coldwater, Ontario
Housing: There is housing available in a park trailer on site if required.

• Contract Start: Mid April to Early May
• Contract End: Late October
• Schedule: 7 hours a day and 5 days a week (mostly Monday to Friday but some weekend work may be needed)

Our farm is situated on 100 acres of land which is divided between a century old farm house, a 4 to 5 acre market garden, a large hay field, pasture and an extensive bush. We produce sustainably and organically grown vegetables, flowers and a few soft fruits for three market gardens and online sales. Biking trails are very close and can connect you to nearby towns and cities. Or if you enjoy canoeing or kayaking you can access the Coldwater River in a 5 minute drive.

The Position

We are looking for energetic team members to join us for the growing season. We have two 100’ greenhouses for tomatoes, a caterpillar tunnel for other nightshades, an acre of potatoes and 16 50’ by 100’ plots for many above and below ground vegetables.

Most of the work in the field is done by hand but we do use a BCS and a small tractor with a manure spreader when needed.

Jobs would include:

• Seeding
• Weeding
• Bed Preparation (by hand and with walk behind tractors)
• Planting
• Trelissing
• Harvesting
• Washing and Packing
• Cover Cropping
• General maintenance and cleaning of greenhouses and wash station

More About our Operation

Feather and Fir Farm is a small but growing farm and we will be starting our 4th year of production this year. We will be moving into online sales as well as maintaining our growing presence at farmers markets in Barrie, Gravenhurst and Rosseau. Help with online orders and in-person selling at the markets may be required occasionally.

We do our best to ensure that our team members have opportunities to learn skills in all stages of the growing and harvesting process using regenerative methods. Our desire is to inspire our team members to become the next generation of organic farmers who care about real food and thriving communities.

Compensation and Living Arrangements

• Wage: $18 to $21 per hour, depending on experience and skill level.
• On Farm accommodation: An on site park trailer is available for $500 per month
• Produce: Continual access to our vegetable “seconds” is always welcomed and encouraged.

We are looking for candidates who possess:

• good physical strength (able to lift objects of up to 50 pounds) and ability to perform repetitive tasks while bending, kneeling or standing.
• an ability to tolerate working is all weather conditions.
• an openness to following instructions but are not shy to suggest improvements.
• a positive attitude and excitement about growing.

Application Process

If you are a hard working individual who is truly open to learning and sharing ideas and strengths with a market garden team, please apply.

Are you a Canadian citizen or eligible to work in Canada? Are you 30 years old or younger? (If you are older please know that this does not disqualify you from the position.)

Why would you be a good fit for our farm and how we could help you move forward in organic agriculture?

Are you available to work from mid April or the first of May to the end of October? If not, what is your availability?

Do you have a valid driver’s license and will you have a vehicle for your personal use?

Please email us your resume and include information to the above questions.

Use Market Garden Assistant and Your Name in the subject line

Email: carlandallison5@gmail.com

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.