FARM JOB: ENDERBY, BC – West Enderby Farm

Posted by Moss Dance on February 14, 2018

West Enderby Farm Cauliflower Harvest

West Enderby Farm is a well-established organic vegetable farm in the North Okanagan—they are seeking a farm worker for the 2018 season!

ABOUT WEST ENDERBY FARM

We are a 41 acre certified organic Farm located on the edge of Enderby in the beautiful North Okanagan. Previously a dairy farm, it was converted to an organic vegetable farm in 2011. We specialise in carrots and also grow beets, cauliflower, broccoli and onions .

We now supply over a dozen local retailers and processors. We use tractors for both field preparation and cultivation betwen crop rows, and harvest beets and carrots with a mechanical harvester. 20 acres are cultivated, and the farm also hosts an independently managed market garden business. It is a busy place !

We produce volumes of fall and winter storage carrots and beets that enable us to supply local people with organic, local, veg via retailers. We are certified organic, aiming to maintain and improve soil health and foster biodiversity, while running a productive and economically sustainable farm. Maintaining a safe, respectful workplace is important to us.

The patchwork of fields, ditches and wild areas, are habitat for voles, coyotes, hawks and many species of amphibians and invertebrates. Part of the former cow barn has been converted to a heated packing area.

The People

Paddy Doherty has farmed organically for over 25 years. He has extensive experience of organic certification systems both within Canada and internationally. Paddy is instrumental in setting up farm infrastructure, in particular re-cycling and custom-building equipment, and leading the field team.

Before co-founding West Enderby Farm, Elaine Spearing was employed within organic agriculture and community organisations. She holds a degree in agricultural plant science, has varied experience of organic vegetable production, and has worked as both an organic inspector and environmental farm planner in B.C. Elaine leads on crop planning and marketing .

The Place

Enderby is a small friendly town with cafes, stores, pharmacy, banks, and library The beautiful Shuswap river that runs beside it is a great place for swimming, canoeing and floating. Several lakes and hiking trails are nearby, and the larger towns of Salmon Arm and Vernon 30min drive.

Find out more about West Enderby Farm here: https://www.soilmate.com/farms/west-enderby-farm

West Enderby Farm

QUALIFICATIONS

*We have an ECO-Canada (paid) internship available.* If you have completed a post-secondary qualification (in any subject) and are eligible for Eco-Canada funding, an opportunity for mentorship and to work on assisting us develop our environmental sustainability as part of your job is available. Please see: http://www.eco.ca/wage-subsidy-programs/im-a-job-candidate

This is a key position working alongside us and our other staff members. It will suit an energetic person who enjoys being outdoors in all conditions. Great strength is not required, but you should be able to lift 40lb, have no issues with back or knees, and be able to hand weed. This position would suit someone who has already done some farmwork and is looking to widen their experience, although training in all tasks, and safe operation of equipment is provided. We are looking for someone who is:

  • Interested in organic agriculture
  • Interested in operating machinery
  • Able to work in a team and also on their own
  • Able to learn how to work fast
  • Adaptable to switching jobs according to weather/crop needs
  • Able to keep accurate records
  • Able to celebrate success and retain optimism in sun, rain, mud, and mishaps!
  • For an Eco-Canada intern, ability and interest in assisting with soil assessment, composting, research into energy efficiency, and any other environmental improvement projects that may arise.

West Enderby Farm oats peas vetch 2016

JOB TASKS

The work changes through the season from field prep and crop establishment to harvesting and packing.

  • Mechanical weed control using implements mounted on cultivating tractors
  • hand line irrigation
  • weeding using hand tools
  • Seeding using walk-behind seeder and broadcast seeder
  • Planting out module transplants by machine
  • Organisation and cleaning of work areas, tools, materials, and equipment
  • hand harvesting
  • Mechanical harvest as part of a team operating a carrot harvester
  • maintaining seeding, harvest, records – washing, packing, sorting, collating orders

West Enderby Farm carrot harvest

JOB DETAILS

Contract duration: May 7 to October 31, 2018

NOTE Please do not apply for this job if you are planning on returning to school in September! If you are interested, get in touch with us in future years when you have finished school.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday, with some flexibility. Up to 50 hours/6 days per week during some peak harvest periods in August and September.

Wages: $13-$15 per hour

There is NO ON-FARM ACCOMMODATION The farm is walking distance from Enderby, and within 30 minutes drive from Salmon Arm, Armstrong and Vernon. We may be able to assist in finding accommodation in Enderby

TO APPLY

To apply send an e-mail to: info@westenderbyfarm.ca Please attach your resume, two references, and tell us:

  • Why you would like the job
  • What interests you most about it
  • About any previous farm/garden/food experience
  • Any relevant training/skills you already have

* If you have registered as an Eco Canada Intern.