Organic, regenerative vegetable farming

Hiring: Assistant Market Gardener
Farm: Rutabaga Ranch 

Location: Brinston, south of Ottawa, Ontario
Housing: On farm accomodation available.
***must be Canadian resident or have a canadian visa***

The Rutabaga Ranch is a organic vegetable farm located in Brinston, Ontario.

We use organic and regenerative agriculture methods to produce high quality vegetables that are as good for the environment as they are for health and wellness.

We have an onsite farm stand, participate in the Westboro and the Lansdowne farmers market. We also supply some wonderful local restaurants and have a 60 person CSA program

Market Gardening is very straining mentally and physically. But we believe with the right team we can all lighten each others load, and have a helluva good season together

Job Description:

Candidates can expect a seasonal flow of tasks, greenhouse work transplanting, weeding and harvesting, wash/packing, bulk harvesting as well as farm clean-up and working with our laying hens. Also please let us know if you are interested, or would be available for weekend markets

We operate mostly at a hand scale with the help of some limited machinery when possible. Candidates must be comfortable working in all weather conditions (come prepared with weather-appropriate gear), repetitive tasks, and able to lift up to 50lbs repetedly and have some awareness of what it means to be physical.

The ideal candidate is hard-working, team orientated, physically fit, interested in market gardening, has strong problem solving skills , ability to follow instruction, and likes to challenge themselves. Previous experience in farming, landscaping, tree planting, or outdoor work experience is an asset but not required.

Tasks:

• Communication: active listening, asking questions and clear communication.
• Greenhouse: seeding, watering, moving trays
• Fieldwork and Planting: Spreading amendments and compost by hand, hand transplanting, setting up irrigation, -laying row cover, putting down sandbags, moving silage tarps.
• Weed Management: Use of hoes, wheel hoes, occlusion methods, and hand weeding. Being organic we spend alot of time weeding-Harvest: Proper harvest of vegetables taking care for post-harvest handling and quality control and lots of cleaning
• Market/ CSA pickups: Experience in customer service is an asset.
• Miscellaneous: farm maintenance, cleaning and caring for livestock, grass cutting, wipper snipping, washing bins, organizing tools, cleaning out chicken coop

Key Qualifications:

• Reliable with a positive attitude
• Hardworking with the ability to work quickly and efficiently
• A keen eye for detail
• Comfortable working in all weather conditions , rain, cold, heat (we work outside in rain suits, theres no rain days in market gardening)
• Ability to use basic hand tools
• Willingness to learn and ask questions
• Good team skills
• A valid drivers license
• Must be comfortable around breastfeeding

Job Details:

Start/ end date: May 2027 - September 2027 (with possibility of extending part time)
Schedule: 40/hrs per week, 5 days a week 9 hr days.

Start time: varies based off light availability and heat, we gradually start and end earlier as the days get longer and hotter.

• Begining season: 7am - 4pm
• Peak season: 5:30am - 2:30pm

Wage: minimum wage plus free produce and farm products. Willing to negotiate based off preformance

On farm accomodation available.

Work Perks:

• Daily work lunch provided (160$ value)
• minimally 30$ in weekly grade A vegetables and eggs from June 2nd -Aug 1st (Value $240)
• Access to free B grade vegetables, plants, and other farm products.

Potential to extend contract part time/weekend/ market work until the end of summer, or the season.

Apply

Please include y’all’s resume, and let us know all ‘bout what makes you the team member we wish we already had. What draws ya to farmin? Do you have experience working outdoors? Do you plan on starting your own farm?

Also! Let us know if you would prefer to live on the farm for the season as we do have accommodations, as well as possible dates you’re available for an interview. Talk soon!

Apply here:
https://rutabaga-ranch.com/team/

Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.