ORGANIC FARMING

Positions: Organic vegetable farming
Farm: Ferme Lève-tôt

Location: near Wakefield QC / Outaouais / Ottawa-Gatineau
Housing: On-farm accom. is not guaranteed (a cabin, canvas tent or trailer space may be available). Access to a 3-season staff kitchen.

• Field production
• Greenhouse production
• Post-harvest and marketing

About the farm

Hone your skills and have fun with veteran farmers on a beautiful, 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 and to provide a right livelihood for our family, farm team and community. We market our vegetables through a 150-share veggie basket program and at the Wakefield 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. Our workplace is inclusive, welcoming and focused on mutual support, communication and a sense of personal and collective achievement. We value initiative, personal responsibility, teamwork, and positive energy!

The ideal candidate

Minimum one season of experience on an organic vegetable farm and/or training or experience in horticulture or vegetable production. We also value experience in landscaping, tree planting and outdoor trades.

• Valid driver’s license (personal vehicle recommended)
• Bilingual in english and french
• Physically fit and motivated to work in diverse weather conditions
• Organized, efficient, proactive and with good time management
• Constructive communicator, team worker with a positive attitude

Work Responsiblities

Some farm work is collective in nature and employees are expected to contribute to all aspects of farm work throughout the season. Employees may also take on specific roles and responsibilities determined by experience, career goals, personal skills and the balance of tasks.

Please let us know if you have specific interests, goals or competences. For example:

• You have a specific interest in working with horses,
• You are a highly experienced farm worker interested in management or a long-term contract,
• You are a student eligible for a paid internship for school credit.

Field Production

• Coordinate with the field manager to implement the crop plan, seeding and transplant schedule, and help determine priorities for cultivation, crop maintenance and harvesting.
• 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 field crops (transplanting, weeding, trellising, fertilization, pruning, etc.)
• Observation, scouting and treatment for vegetable pests, diseases and other crop management problems
• Farm upkeep and maintenance (mowing & trimming, fixing & sharpening tools, maintaining fences and farm buildings)
• Harvest and post-harvest (washing, sorting, weighing, packing, labelling, etc.)
• Daily care of the horses and other farm chores
• Participating in planning meetings and seasonal reviews

Greenhouse Production

• Coordinate with the greenhouse manager to implement the crop plan, seeding and transplant schedule, and help determine priorities for cultivation, crop maintenance and harvesting.
• Production and maintenance of seedlings and transplants in the greenhouse
• Preparation of beds and installation of greenhouse materials: geo textile, irrigation, trellis, etc.
• Establishment and upkeep of greenhouse crops: transplanting, weeding, fertilization, trellising, pruning, etc.
• Observation, scouting and treatment for vegetable pests, diseases and other crop management problems
• Harvest and post-harvestwashing, sorting, weighing, packing, labelling, etc.)
• Daily care of the horses and other farm chores
• Participating in planning meetings and seasonal reviews

Post-Harvest

• Coordinate with the post-harvest manager and other employees to implement the harvest, post-harvest and marketing plans and help determine priorities for increasing efficiency and productivity in the post-harvest and storage facilities and marketing venues.
• Harvest and post-harvest (washing, sorting, weighing, packing, labelling, etc.)
• Record keeping of field, harvest and sales data
• Weekly inventory management and maintenance of post-harvest and storage facilities
• Delivery and sale at CSA distribution points, farm store and farmer’s market
• Daily care of the horses and other farm chores
• Participating in planning meetings and seasonal reviews

Salary and hours

• Hourly wage will be determined according to experience, training and responsibility
• 35 to 45 hours/week (we are open to part-time schedules)
• The work day begins at 7:30 and may vary according to the season and weather
• 1 or 2 Wednesday 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

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)

APPLY

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

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