ORGANIC FARMING

Hiring: Organic Vegetable Farming
Farm: Ferme Lève-tôt

Location: near Wakefield QC / Outaouais / Ottawa-Gatineau
Possible housing: see below

Full-time (2 positions) or part-time (1 position) (summer work placements available)

Mid-April to late-October 2023

About the farm

Hone your skills with experienced farmers on a well-managed, draft horse-powered organic farm. Ferme Lève-tôt is a certified organic vegetable farm located in Quebec’s Outaouais region in operation since 2010. Our mission is to produce high quality certified organic vegetables using environmentally and socially sustainable methods. We manage a 150-share CSA program and attend a busy local farmer’s market. Since 2015 we’ve worked with a team of draft horses and currently use a combination of mechanical, draft- and human-powered cultivation techniques on a terrain of 5 acres of field and 3 greenhouses.

Our summer team of 4 employees works under the direction of the owners, Richard and Charlotte, who are actively involved in the daily operation of the farm. Employees are encouraged to take on specific roles while also contributing to all aspects of farm work throughout the season. We value initiative, personal responsibility, teamwork, and positive energy.

The ideal candidate

• Has at least one season’s experience on an organic vegetable farm and/or training in horticulture or vegetable production
• Has a valid driver’s license (personal vehicle recommended)
• Is bilingual in english and french
• Is physically fit and motivated to work in diverse weather conditions
• Is organized, efficient and has a positive attitude

Tasks

• Production and maintenance of seedlings and transplants in the greenhouse
• Preparation of beds for seedling and transplanting using manual and mechanical tools
• Installation of field materials (geo textile, irrigation, row cover, tarps, trellis, tunnels, etc.)
• Establishment and upkeep of crops (transplanting, weeding, trellising, pruning, etc.)
• Harvest and post-harvest work (washing, sorting, weighing, packing, labelling, etc.)
• Farm upkeep and maintenance (mowing & trimming, fixing & sharpening tools, maintaining fences and farm buildings)
• Daily care of the horses and other farm chores
• Delivery and sale at CSA distribution points and farmer’s market
• Record keeping of field, harvest and sales data
• Participating in daily team meetings and seasonal reviews

Salary and hours

• $16/h
• 35 to 45 hours/week
• 7:30am to 4:30pm weekdays with 1 hour unpaid lunch break
• 1 or 2 Thursday evenings (4h) a month paid for basket deliveries
• 1 or 2 Saturday mornings (6h) a month paid for market
• One week non-paid vacation planned in advance
• The work schedule varies according to the season and weather

Benefits

• Weekly veggie basket ($36/week value)
• Access to vegetables from the farm’s surplus
• Access to a 3-season staff kitchen
• Access to our farm library and participation in local farm tours and events
• On farm accommodation is not guaranteed (a cabin, canvas tent or trailer space may be available)

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to Charlotte Scott and Richard Williams at fermelevetot @ gmail.com

 

 

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