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Cartwheel Farm in Creston, BC is seeking Organic Market Garden Crew Members!
ABOUT Cartwheel Farm
Cartwheel Farm is a small-scale, certified organic market garden on the traditional and unceded territory of the yaqan nuʔkiy people (Ktunaxa Nation). We farm with love for our Kootenay community and the land we call home. We have one heated greenhouse, two large insulated high tunnels, and eight other high tunnels. We also grow in the open field. Our crop plan generally includes some 150 varieties of mostly annual herbs and vegetables, including ginger and turmeric.
Most of what we grow is delivered directly to friends and neighbours through our 180+ member Community Supported Agriculture service. We have been feeding many of those folks for a decade! We also work with a loyal group of restaurant partners and are proud vendors at the Creston Valley Farmers’ Market.
We are certified organic farm and practice bio-intensive methods for producing nutrient-dense foods. Living out commitments to ecological, social, and economic integrity matters to us. Recent infrastructure developments on the farm include transitioning to solar power, electrifying farm delivery and utility vehicles, electrifying greenhouse heating, building the first two insulated greenhouses that we know of in BC, installing an in-vessel composter, and enhancing our cold storage capacity.
Contributing to vibrant local food culture drives and inspires us. We write weekly essays and recipes for our eaters, take part in community events, and run the Cartwheel Farm Sharing Fund – a tangible collaboration with our customer to build local food sovereignty. Through this work we flow food to families in need, team up with the Creston Refugee Committee, and partner with the yaqan nuʔkiy (Lower Kootenay) Band.
DESIRED QUALITIES
Our core crew members have been with us for many years. This season we are looking to add new folks to the team.
All applicants should be able to check ‘YES’ to these statements:
- I am happy working outside… even in bad weather.
- I like learning new things.
- I am comfortable asking for support when I need it.
- I enjoy working with others, but can also tackle tasks on my own.
- I am able to do heavy lifting and repetitive physical tasks.
- I could provide a work/personal reference on request.
- I find pleasure eating vegetables!
We are open to hiring people with no experience, but are extra eager to take on experienced gardeners.
We have wage subsidy support for returning students and employees aged 30 or under.
A driver’s license and clean driving record are assets.
POSITION TASKS
We are looking for crew members who will take part in:
- Gaining familiarity with (digital) crop and work plans
- Helping to refine field work, harvest, post-harvest, and sales/marketing plans and procedures
- Caring for farm equipment, tools, and supplies
- Planting, transplanting, cultivating, irrigating, and harvesting a wide variety of crops
- Washing, weighing and packing produce
- Cultivating a rich and supportive work environment
We would be over the moon to hire people with interest in:
- Helping to manage the farm’s social media presence
- Helping to manage the farm’s community presence by attending the local Farmers’ Market weekly and taking part in other community events (on and off the farm)
POSITION DETAILS
Term: Start and end dates are flexible.
We are looking to add staff to crew as soon as possible to stay with us until late November, though are open to hiring summer students or other shorter-term employees.
We are always open to the right people joining our crew in a permanent capacity.
Hours per week: Again, we are flexible. We are most interested in people seeking full-time work (35/hours+ per week).
Wage: Pay will be commensurate with experience and capacity. Our starting wage is $20/hour. All crew members also receive weekly produce shares and have free access to excess harvest and seconds.
TO APPLY
Please apply online at the farm’s website. You can send resumes, cover letters, questions, and hellos to laura@cartwheelfarm.com
Deadline to apply: Ongoing
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 Cartwheel Farm
Website: cartwheelfarm.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cartwheelfarm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cartwheelcreston/