FARM JOBS: SURREY, BC – Zaklan Heritage Farm

Zaklan Heritage Farm in Surrey, BC is looking for three dedicated people to join their team to help with field production, restaurant deliveries and CSA program in the 2019 season! 

ABOUT ZAKLAN HERITAGE FARM

Zaklan Heritage farm is a small (1.5 acre) mixed vegetable farm situated in the heart of Canada’s fastest growing city – Surrey, BC. The farm is run by Gemma and Doug, we started the operation in 2013. We produce a wide range of vegetables using sustainable practices and ecologically friendly growing methods. We rely on small machinery and hand tools to do the majority of our work. We sell primarily to high end restaurants in Vancouver and run a 50 member CSA program for 20 weeks during the main season. We are looking for people with an interest in learning about small scale agriculture, have a good work ethic and enjoy getting dirty and working hard. We have been farming for over 8 seasons and are happy to share the knowledge we have gained during this time with our employees. 

Zaklan Heritage Farm is a high production farm and during peak season harvest crops every day. The successful candidates will all be highly involved in daily and weekly harvests.

Learn more about Zaklan Heritage Farm:

Website:  www.zaklanheritagefarm.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ZaklanHeritageFarm

Desired Qualities

We are looking for an employee who has a good work ethic, isn’t afraid of hard physical work for weeks on end, and is willing to work in all weather. We are looking for someone who can work in a team as well as independently and can be self motivated when it comes to completing tasks. Farming can be physically as well as mentally challenging, we are looking for someone who can work under sometimes stressful and demanding situations.

There is opportunity for leadership roles with respect to tasks on the farm and working with volunteers. We are looking for someone who is able to work on weekends. Candidates need to be flexible and willing to adapt to changing schedules and plans as things shift though the season.

The successful candidate should have the following:

• Commitment to farming in a sustainable manner using ecologically sound growing practices
• Physically capable of carrying out tasks which require the ability to bend for long periods of time, lift up to 20Kg and do repetitive movements.
• Ability to work fast and smart, and take and give direction with a positive and constructive attitude.
• Strong prioritizing and time management skills
• Attention to detail and quality
• Ability to follow and carry out detailed instructions
• Ability to work in all weather conditions
• Ability to work both in a team and individually

Some of the positions are funded, in part, by Green Jobs Youth Employment Program. Please specify in your application if you meet below listed eligibility criteria:

• 30 years or younger when starting the internship
• a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• unemployed or underemployed
• have graduated from a university, college, DEP, or CEGEP (preferably an agricultural program)
• have not participated in any other Youth Employment Strategy program (that is, Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative and/or Career Focus Program)

Job Tasks

CSA Program Manager

We are looking for one person to manage the CSA program communication and weekly tasks associated with the CSA. This position requires good verbal and written communication skills, ability to promptly and appropriately respond to emails and have good time management.The successful candidate will communicate and report to the farm managers regarding decisions and proposed changes impacting the CSA program. The CSA program manager will spend a majority of their time working in the field doing various seasonal farm tasks and harvesting. This position is full-time from April till October. There is potential for part-time hours in March and November.

Restaurant Delivery Person

We are looking for one person to make weekly deliveries of vegetables from the farm to Vancouver restaurants. This position would involve days on the farm doing field tasks and harvesting, as well as days off the farm doing deliveries in our Sprinter Van.The successful candidate will be detail oriented, organized, have good time management, confident in their driving skills, and a basic knowledge of all products being delivered. The successful candidate must have a class 5 driver’s license and proven clean driving record. This position is full-time from April till October. There is potential for part-time hours in March and November.

Full Time Field Crew

This is a position for someone with basic farm experience or no prior farm experience. Field crew member will work on various seasonal tasks as well as weekly harvests, weeding and crop maintenance. They will have the chance to pack CSA boxes, process vegetables and do some seeding and transplanting. This position is full-time from May till August. There is potential for part-time hours in April and September/October.

Job Details

We are interested in hiring students and working with their school needs to determine a schedule.

Weekly hours: All employees will work roughly 8 hours a day, 5 days a week (35-40 hours a week in the early and late parts of the season and sometimes more during peak season).

You will work alongside us, and independently during the season with tasks such as weeding, bed prep, transplanting, seeding, harvesting, packing for orders and other daily jobs at the farm.

Compensation: Min. wage to $14/hour, depending on experience and position. Employees have access to lots of fresh produce from the farm for free.

Some housing is available for rent on the farm.

To Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter outlining your interest and experience in sustainable agriculture to Gemma McNeill at: gemma@zaklanheritagefarm.com

Please specify your interest in the following in your application:

• On-farming housing
• Ability to work weekends (mainly Saturdays)
• eligibility for career focus funded position (see criteria above)
• If you are student, please state if you will be returning to full-time studies in the fall. We are willing to work with student schedules in the fall.

Deadline: January 30th, 2019

Placement dates: March/April-October/November 2019, dates dependent on weather and need.

View other farm jobs and apprenticeships here.