Close to Home Organics in Abbotsford, BC is seeking a Lead Grower!
ABOUT Close to Home Organics
Close to Home Organics is a family-owned and operated organic mixed-vegetable farm, located in Abbotsford. We farm at Glen Valley Organic Farm as shareholders of the Glen Valley Organic Farm Cooperative. In 2025, our sales will focus on a Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) program that we run in-house.
We are small-scale growers who make a big impact in our community. We are leaders in the organic and co-operative sector and pride ourselves for innovative, organic practices. We are educators and mentors. We are certified organic and a Living Wage Employer. As part of the Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-operative, we work as a team to grow the highest-quality produce for our customers and community throughout the Lower Mainland. We are a welcoming farm and welcome a diverse staff team.
DESIRED QUALITIES
- Having a positive attitude – willing to ask for help, and to show appreciation for the work of others
- Being a team player – staying focused on the work when it’s time to work
- Mindfulness – of the need for rest and other strategies to minimize the risk of injury
- Curiosity – about farm operations to understand the importance of tasks in the big picture
- Leave – take advantage of time off to get off the farm, connect with others, and gain perspective
POSITION TASKS
The farmer we are looking for will be our lead grower, responsible for implementing our crop plan in the field and cold-frames. This will include tractor-based bed preparation, nutrient management, irrigation and cold-frame management, along with support in weeding and harvesting and some post-harvest washing. The farmer will work with a team of three other experienced farmers who will oversee crop planning, propagation, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, packing and CSA management. While previous experience is essential, there is also orientation and mentorship to bring a prospective employee up to speed with farm operations.
Our growing area consists of a main 6-acre parcel with a 95-foot coldframe in the lower fields, as well as a set of shorter beds (approximately 1 acre) and three coldframes located in the upper part of the farm.
Our fieldwork happens outside in all types of conditions. The work is physically demanding and is at times solo. Successful farm workers are self-motivated, aware of their body’s need for water and stretching, can leave their phone alone, are driven to get the work done efficiently, and communicate well with others.
POSITION DETAILS
Term: March through November
Hours per week: 40
Wage: Our farm is a Living Wage Employer in the Fraser Valley, offering an hourly wage of $23.25 plus a personal health spending account of $500. Produce for personal consumption is also available. There is one on-site living space available at a reasonable rate (though off-farm accommodation is also possible).
TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter to hello@closetohomeorganics.com
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
Please note that Young Agrarians does not have the capacity to pre-screen job opportunities. Please screen your potential employer to ensure that you are entering into a fair exchange that meets your needs and expectations. Try asking the farm for references of past workers, or ask people in the community if you are unsure.
LEARN MORE ABOUT Close to Home Organics
Website: closetohomeorganics.com
Instagram: instagram.com/closetohomeorganics
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