Sapo Bravo Organics in Lytton, BC is seeking an apprentice for the 2020 season!
About Sapo Bravo Organics
Sapo Bravo is certified organic, off-grid farm outside Lytton, BC. The farm is half orchard and half ground crops. We produce cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, apples, pears and grapes in the orchards and tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, zucchini, basil, melons, winter squash, raddichio, fennel and flowers in the gardens. The farm is very remote, located on the West side of the Fraser river, on the side of a mountain. We rely on solar power for energy and have gravity-fed water from a mountain creek. A small tractor is used for minimal tillage and a whole lot of hand tools and human power for the rest. We sell in Vancouver weekly from June to October, delivering to restaurants and selling at Trout Lake farmers market.
Sapo Bravo is a certified organic farm and has been for over 25 years, though I have only been owner/operator for the last 5 years. I love working in a group, sharing stories and learning while we nurture the green babies that will eventually sustain us and our customers.
Desired Qualities
I am looking for people who are not afraid of hard work and actually love it preferably. I love starting early, being outside and getting dirty for most of the day and having quiet time in the evenings to rejuvenate. I love working with people who are keen to ask questions and find learning opportunities in every task. I value self-starters and people who enjoy their own company.
Apprenticeship Tasks
Early in the season there is tree pruning, seed starting, transplanting and watering. As the season progresses, we will be building beds, setting up irrigation, planting, setting up tomato trellises, pruning and training tomatoes, and then the HARVEST! Once we are harvesting, I make a weekly trip to Vancouver to sell and apprentices are involved in packing restaurant orders and market preparation. As the season wanes, all beds are cover cropped and farm clean-up ends the year.
Apprenticeship Details
Term: April 1st, 2020 start date until October 15th, 2020.
Hours: Monday through Saturday 8 hours per day. So 48 hours per week. Sundays are a day off with minimal chores (feeding chickens, moving irrigation).
Stipend: I provide a weekly stipend of $200.
Room & Board
All apprentices have their own cabin with an outdoor toilet, kitchen, bedroom and living quarters. Apprentices are responsible for their own breakfast and dinner and lunches are communal. All food staples are provided (no meat or dairy) and dietary restrictions are easy to accommodate.
Instruction & Education
I prefer to work in a group and so every job becomes a learning opportunity. I do not hold any official classes as I believe the work is the best class. I will always take time to explain a task and welcome all questions. I also love to find new and better ways of doing things so encourage apprentices to share ideas that might save us all time and effort.
Learning Resources
I have an extensive farm library that apprentices have access to and also neighbour another organic farm that apprentices can learn from on occasion.
To Apply
Please send resume and cover letter to Ashala at sapobravoorganics@gmail.com.
Learn More About Sapo Bravo Organics
Website: www.sapobravo.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SapoBravoOrganics
Instagram: @sapobravoorganics
Hello, I am on an organic farm in the Venables Valley area, and would love to come check out your farm someday soon if possible. Maybe there is a gardening task we could help with while there?
Hi Jessie,
I don’t think the farm will see your post here, but try emailing Ashala at sapobravoorganics@gmail.com.
Cheers,
Michi