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Are you an aspiring ecological farmer who wants hands on experience working the land and living in community? Common Ground Garden Project / Garden City Farms in Red Deer, Alberta might be the place for you!
About the Farm
Common Ground Garden Project is located on the Indigenous traditional territories represented by Treaties 6 and 7. This land is also acknowledged as an historic Métis gathering site. ReThink Red Deer in collaboration with The City of Red Deer aim to work together with Indigenous peoples in building a welcoming and inclusive community
In partnership with the City of Red Deer, ReThink Red Deer operates two main urban agriculture project sites; Common Ground Garden Project (CGGP) and Piper Creek Restoration Agriculture Project (PCRAP) with two new sites launching in 2026.
Common Ground Garden Project (CGGP)
A 4-acre, multi-phase brownfield redevelopment in downtown Red Deer’s Capstone district. The site includes interactive, accessible, above-ground, four-season growing spaces intended to be moveable. Its goals include:
Increasing local food security
Supporting social enterprise
Sharing knowledge
Strengthening social connections
The project demonstrates four-season growing and produces annual vegetables and flowers for the Red Deer Food Bank, The Mustard Seed, local social agencies, and schools that use the site for outreach and learning.
Piper Creek Restoration Agriculture Project (PCRAP)
Established in 2014, this 25-acre site works to repair historical impacts on riparian and agricultural land in the Red Deer River watershed. It aims to regenerate ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and help residents deepen their relationship with the natural world.
Features include:
A community garden in partnership with the City of Red Deer
An 11,000 square foot food forest and pollinator garden
Eco-buffer plantings
A rainwater-harvesting timber-frame barn
Multiple riparian restoration areas
2026 Expansion Sites
Two additional sites (launching in 2026) will focus on:
Seed security and propagation of hardy, open-pollinated varieties
Showcasing truly local, regionally adapted food cultures
Experiential tourism and culinary programming
All sites require daily observation and management during the growing season, with outreach and educational programs offered year-round.
What the Farm Produces
Across the network, the farm produces “beyond organic” vegetables, fruit, grains, and flowers, distributed:
To people in need (food banks, soup kitchens, community agencies)
To mainstream markets and local restaurant(s)
The network operates under the Red Deer Market Garden Standard (RDMGS)—a set of guidelines for soil health, water stewardship, public safety, social inclusion, and economic viability. Permaculture principles guide all operations, informed by Soil Food Web ecology, Restoration Agriculture, zero-waste strategies, and Market Gardener Institute methodologies.
This approach creates one cohesive, resilient urban agriculture system—a model for planners, funders, and elected officials looking to understand climate resilience and sustainable development in action.
Website: https://rethinkreddeer.ca/commonground
Facebook: @commongroundgardenproject
Instagram: @commongroundgardenproject
Workplace Culture
The workplace culture blends professionalism with creativity, experimentation, and fun.
Key Characteristics
Hands-on engagement: Outdoor, tactile work that fosters a sense of connection with land and community.
Creativity & experimentation: Space to try new methods, designs, and engagement strategies.
Team & community spirit: Shared meals, celebrations, and collaborative work are common.
Casual environment: Practical workwear is the norm—even during events and meetings.
Professional Expectations
Clear objectives related to food production, education, and sustainability
High standards of quality, reliability, and accountability
Authentic, respectful interaction with volunteers, customers, and partners
Daily Rhythm
Meetings held outdoors—at picnic tables, patios, straw bales, or even while weeding
Built-in learning sessions on new farming techniques and environmental topics
Flexible, collective problem-solving in response to weather or crop changes
This balance creates an atmosphere that is welcoming, challenging, and deeply rewarding.
About the Farmers
Apprentices work with a diverse team of staff, volunteers, and community leaders. One primary mentor is Rene Michalak, Project Manager for Common Ground Garden Project / Garden City Farms.
We believe that agriculture is literally the cultivation of human spirit; the process of systematically nurturing, educating, and developing human potential and societal structures to shape human life and civilization. What keeps us going is seeing the transformational impact our work together has on people’s lives and the potential that land-based teachings offer us in reconciliation with our Indigenous communities.
About the Apprenticeship
The apprentice would be participating in the entire spectrum of food production including community stakeholder engagement and special event planning and delivery. We have two main project sites that require daily observation and maintenance in addition to programming delivery for our volunteers and visitors to the site(s).
They receive priority for continued work opportunities and may transition into leadership roles or be supported to launch independent agriculture initiatives within two seasons.
Primary Responsibilities
Apprentices participate in all aspects of food production and community engagement, including:
Seed planning, starting, and transplant care
Soil building, composting, and compost tea brewing
Greenhouse/hoop house/cold frame setup and management
Raised bed (bale and wood) maintenance
Rainwater harvesting design and drip irrigation installation
Tool and equipment use and care
Transporting goods between project sites and markets
Managing farmers’ market booths and social media
Supporting workshops, outreach, and volunteer engagement
Contributing to development of the Participatory Guarantee System and the Red Deer Market Garden Standard
Assisting with an online local farmers’ market initiative
The ideal duration of employment is 8-12 months.
The job requirements are:
- Basic gardening / agriculture skills
- Ability to do physical labour on a day-today basis
- Physically fit
- Able to lift 30 to 80 pounds
- Willingness to be part of a creative process
- Open-mindedness
- Strong communication skills
- Flexibility
- Improvisational skills
- Ability to think on your feet
- Ability to think outside the box
- Comfortable working in uncertainty
- Ability to see beyond the immediate and obvious
Assets:
- Experience in a non-profit setting
- First Aid or worksite safety training
- Volunteer engagement or management experience
- special event planning and execution
Compensation
We offer the wage of $23/hour
Must be between ages of 15-30 as required by CSJ/YESP wage subsidy
Perks
- Shared harvest as available
- Access to the BBQ and special event and workshop food,
- Enriched learning environment with multilayer mentorship
Apprentices are responsible for their own day-to-day meals and snacks.
About the Community
Located halfway between Calgary and Edmonton, Red Deer is vibrant, youthful, and rapidly growing, with a median age under 35.
Community features include:
Over 110 km of multi-use trails in the Waskasoo Park System
High-quality recreational and sporting facilities
Cultural events, local festivals, and diverse attractions
A horticultural history that earned Red Deer the nickname “The Garden City”
Easy access to amenities, nature, and downtown from within the city limits
Accommodation
Accommodations: On-farm accommodations are not available.
Other information: If accommodations are required, we will work to recruit host families for apprentices and/or secure seasonal student housing at Red Deer Polytechnic campus
We look forward to seeing you!