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Four Beat Farm, a horse-powered vegetable farm in Pemberton, BC is seeking an apprentice for the 2021 season!
Want to be part of a “growing” team and learn more about farming in a way that is rewarding and meaningful, surrounded by plants and awesome people?
About Four Beat Farm
Four Beat Farm is a certified organic vegetable farm in the Pemberton Meadows in Lil’wat Territory. The farm was started in 2016 and is run by Naomi with the help of two draft horses, a sassy dog, and lots of human power. The farm is all about “Quality food for everyday eating” and to provide a fulfilling life and livelihood for people growing it. We are looking for motivated, hardworking individuals to join our farm team for 2021 and beyond.
We have 3.5 acres in vegetable production with 30+ varieties, with a focus on summer and fall storage crops. Roughly ¾ of the farm is set-up in row crop style for horse-drawn mechanical cultivation, with a quarter in more intensive production for salads and fresh herbs. Our Harvest Share CSA program is at the core of what we do, and we also attend a local farmers market. We do not currently have a tractor, and instead make efficient use of hand tools and our team of draft horses.
Pemberton has a short and intense growing season with hot summer days and lots of mud, rain, bugs, and cold in the spring and fall. Farming here requires a real appreciation for good food, being outdoors in all kinds of weather, moving quickly to making the most of the summer months, and celebrating the seasonal nature of farming.
ABOUT THE APPRENTICESHIP POSITION
This apprenticeship is intended for a person who gets excited about farming in the long-term and wants to be immersed for a season to gain skills and to learn more. You will be expected to work efficiently and collaboratively as part of the crew, a.k.a. “learning by doing”, both in a team environment and independently. You will be expected to learn tasks, and to get faster (and faster) at everything that you do.
Farming can be repetitive and it can be hard. A can-do attitude and sense of humour is crucial.
All members of the farm team will be part of: planting, seeding, weeding, irrigating, harvesting, washing, and packing many types of vegetables. Farming experience is an asset but not required. Horse experience is not necessary, but a level of comfort and respect for large animals as well as dogs is important as they are part of the day-to-day operations of the farm.
As an apprentice, your role and responsibilities on the farm will also be shaped by your own learning goals, which will be reviewed at regular check-in meetings. As you learn the ropes in the field, there will also be time set aside for more dedicated learning so you can develop your skills and gain an understanding of what goes on at the farm (i.e. crop planning, bookkeeping, growing certain crops, machinery maintenance, draft horse care, prioritizing daily tasks, etc.). With five years of running her own farm and three seasons of apprenticeships with more experienced farmers prior to getting started, the farm owner is committed to providing a fair and positive environment for working and learning.
Workdays are generally 7am-3:30pm with a break for lunch and a mid-morning pause for tea, Monday to Friday. We may start later in the spring/fall and earlier in the heat of summer. For 2021, there will be a core team of 3-4 people with extra hands during peak season.
As an apprentice, you can expect to work 30-40 hours per week plus helping out with weekend chores on occasion. You will get 2 full days off per week, with an agreed upon schedule depending on your needs and the needs of the farm, plus one full week of vacation mid-summer. Accommodation on the farm (a private camper with outdoor shower and outhouse) plus access to vegetables and a stipend of $500/month is provided in addition to the educational aspects in exchange for your work and your commitment to our farm for the season.
A full-season (April/May to mid-November) commitment is ideal, but we are flexible and everyone is encouraged to apply, students included.
If you are a person who:
- Is smart, strong, kind, and takes pride in hard work
- Will take direction and pay attention to detail
- Enjoys working independently and in a team
- Is physically fit; able to bend over for long periods of time; able to lift up to 50lb
- Will balance speed and quality to meet (and exceed) our production standards
- Is reliable
- Is comfortable around and respectful of large animals
- Enjoys a quiet and independent living situation
- Is excited about local food and farming
- Wants to learn more about farming!
Please apply!
Please be aware that this is a non-smoking (anything) living space and workplace, and at this time we cannot accommodate couples or pets.
In your application, let us know the following:
- Experience with horses
- Experience vegetable farming
- Why are you seeking an apprenticeship position?
- Valid BC Class 5 and clean driving record
- Availability (start/end dates and days/week)
- Eligible to work in Canada (required)
- The farm is 12km from town so reliable transportation in the form of a personal vehicle or a healthy appetite for bicycling is a must.
The space and support to have a personal project on the farm (bees, flowers, chickens, value-added canning, etc.) and opportunities to grow with the farm in future seasons are possible for the right candidate.
To Apply:
If you are interested in applying, please read through the farm website at http://www.fourbeatfarm.ca and on social media.
Send your resume along with a genuine letter of interest to Naomi at: fourbeatfarm@gmail.com
Deadline is March 1st but we will review applications as they are received so we suggest applying ASAP if you are interested.
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
Learn More About Four Beat Farm
Visit them online at fourbeatfarm.ca
Like Four Beat Farm on Facebook
Follow @fourbeatfarm on Instagram