FARM JOB: Cedar, BC - Ancient Origins Medicinals Herb Farm, Herbal Farm Lead & Apprenticeship Co-Facilitator

Ancient Origins Medicinals Herb Farm in Cedar, BC is seeking a Herbal Farm Lead & Apprenticeship Co-Facilitator!

ABOUT Ancient Origins Medicinals Herb Farm

Located on Vancouver Island, Ancient Origins Medicinals is comprised of a Holistic Clinic, Apothecary, Organic Herbal Farm, and Herbal School. We specialize in producing high-quality, handcrafted, organic herbal medicines that support health, vitality, and well-being.

Our herbal farm is the living heart of our work. From seed to harvest, we approach medicine-making with the utmost care: growing plants in nutrient-rich soil, harvesting at their peak under optimal conditions, and blending ancestral traditions with the precision of modern science. Medicine-making is about returning to relationship with the land; and every remedy carries the song of the place it comes from.

We grow and steward a diverse range of 50+ medicinal plants and produce small-batch herbal medicines with a strong emphasis on quality, integrity, and seasonal rhythm. We use using organic and regenerative practices that support both the health of the earth and the potency of the medicine. Each harvest is either made into fresh tincture, or slow-dried in darkness and hand-processed to preserve its full vitality, potency, and spirit.

Beyond cultivation, our farm is a sanctuary—a place where medicine, teaching, and healing come together.

Ancient Origins Medicinals is rooted in relationship with the land, the plants, and the people who tend them.

The farm is guided by sisters Megan Waddy, Medical Herbalist, and Dr. Jenna Waddy, Naturopathic Physician, who combine clinical expertise with regenerative growing practices and a passion for locally grown, premium-quality herbs. Our apothecary was born out of a need for vibrant, effective, and ethically made remedies to support our own clinical work. Very quickly we recognized that other practitioners and community members shared this need.

In a time when high-integrity, small-batch herbal medicine can be difficult to source, we remain committed to growing and formulating with intention, precision, and care. From our farm to our apothecary shelves, we are proud to offer some of the most potent and beautiful herbal products available—crafted in harmony with the land and held with deep reverence for the healing intelligence of plants.

DESIRED QUALITIES

We are seeking a Herbal Farm Lead & Apprenticeship Co-Facilitator to join us for the growing season. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is both an experienced farmer and an emerging herbal educator, interested in long-term stewardship of multiple projects within a living herbal system.

We’re Looking For:

Required

Prior farming experience (organic, biodynamic, permaculture preferred)
Previous experience in supervisory and team lead roles
Ability to work full days (8 hours) outdoors in summer conditions
Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail
Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, Google Suite) for batch tracking and inventory
Clear, grounded communication skills (both digitally and in-person)
Personal responsibility, consistency, and follow-through
Ability to work independently and within a small team
Interest in learning herbal medicine

You’ll Need

Proper rain gear, boots, work gloves, etc.
Physical capacity for repetitive farm tasks and lifting
Comfort working in variable weather conditions
Reliable vehicle, valid Driver’s License

Strong Assets

Herbal medicine making experience
Teaching, mentoring, or facilitation experience
Career path of long-term land stewardship and educational leadership

POSITION TASKS

This is a hybrid position combining herbal farming and harvest leadership, oversight of drying, processing, and medicine production systems and co-facilitation of the Herbal Farm Apprenticeship alongside Medical Herbalist Megan Waddy.

This role is for someone who is a seasoned farmer and is beginning their career path as an educator and community facilitator. There will be some opportunities for training and mentorship woven into both the farm and teaching work however this job is for someone who has already begun walking this path and is committed to expanding their leadership. Independent facilitation in future is a key aspect for future seasons by mutual alignment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Medicinal Garden & Farm Care

Planting and caring for seeds and seedlings
Weeding, mulching, bed preparation, and seasonal garden maintenance
Monitoring plant health and determining appropriate harvest timing
Harvesting medicinal plants with care and attention to quality
Supporting the seasonal rhythms and flow of the farm

2. Harvest, Drying & Medicine Production

Overseeing harvest flow and post-harvest handling
Managing the drying room and herb drying protocols
Supporting medicine making (teas, tinctures, and preparations)
Maintaining cleanliness, organization, and quality standards
Batch tracking and basic inventory input

3. Leadership & Team Coordination

Working alongside and guiding apprentices in working on the farm, processing herbs, and making medicines
Setting daily tasks and holding a calm, grounded work container
Clear communication with the apothecary manager and team herbalists
Supporting a respectful, organized, and collaborative team culture

4. Apprenticeship Co-Facilitation

Co-facilitating the Herbal Farm Apprenticeship (March–November)
Teaching through hands-on demonstration: planting, harvesting, drying, and medicine making
Supporting apprentices as students within an educational container
Modeling professional herbal standards, boundaries, and best practices

POSITION DETAILS

Term: March 1st – November 1st (approximate and flexible)

Hours per week: Hours vary with the season. Lighter hours in early spring and late autumn. Increased hours during peak growing and harvest season. Flexible days and scheduling, coordinated week-to-week. Some longer days during harvest periods.

Here is a more specific breakdown of the anticipated minimum hours. There is room for more hours and responsibility for the right person, as well as plenty of room to grow (for example by running workshops or engaging in clinical herbal work). :

April: 8 – 10 hours per week
May: 8 – 16 hours per week
June, July, & August: 12 – 32 hours per week
Sept: 8 – 16 hours per week
October: 8 – 24 hours per week

Wage: Hourly rate discussed based on experience and role scope (range $25-$30 per hour depending upon experience). Contractor position.

You will also have access to fresh herbal medicines and vegetable/fruit crops through the season.

This position is intentionally designed as a leadership and succession pathway within Ancient Origins Medicinals.
For the right person, there is the potential opportunity to step into independent facilitation of the Herbal Farm Apprenticeship in a future season (anticipated 2026) at a full facilitation rate, following a period of co-facilitation and demonstrated readiness.

TO APPLY

Please send a brief introduction or cover letter and a resume to apothecary@ancientorigins.ca. Include your availability for the season and any teaching, mentoring, or facilitation experience (if applicable).

We are especially interested in applicants who feel committed to a long term relationship, called to both land stewardship and herbal education, and who value working within a living, relational farm system.

Deadline to apply: February 8th, 2025

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 Ancient Origins Medicinals Herb Farm

Website: www.ancientorigins.ca/farm
Instagram: ancient_origins_medicinals

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