FARM JOB: Daajing Giids, BC- Maude Island Farm, Regenerative Farm Worker

Maude Island Farm in Daajing Giids, British Columbia is seeking a Regenerative Farm Worker!

ABOUT Maude Island Farm

Maude Island Farm has been growing vegetables on Haida Gwaii since 1994. We use organic methods but due to our remote location and its expense we are no longer certified organic. Our main crops are field crops that include carrots, beets, brassicas, salad mix, a wide variety of greens, potatoes, corn, onions, garlic, and flowers. We also grow tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers in the 40′ x 80′ greenhouse.

We are located on remote Maude Island (population 2-5) situated in Skidegate Inlet, Haida Gwaii, about a 20 minute boat ride from the town of Daajing Giids (formerly Queen Charlotte). The farm is located on the south facing shore with beautiful views of Moresby Mountain. We rely on the farm boat to get to town, which means that living on Maude takes a hearty and resilient person who likes nature and does not need to be near a town.

We use a tractor for basic tilling but from there on the weeding and maintenance is generally handwork. We have a variety of hand tools for weeding and occasionally resort to a small rototiller for the tough stuff. The quad is used for moving veggies to the boat etc.

We do two major harvests per week, one for the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Daajing Giids, and then another for the CSA on Wednesdays which we deliver to about 40 customers. We also supply the local health food store and numerous restaurants and tour operators.

The farm was certified organic until 2020 when I broke my leg, had a pandemic, then tried to simplify, so we opted out of continuing with certification but embrace following the standards. Judge me as you will, the locals have come to trust us after 30 years of production so certification seemed unnecessary for a small operation like ours.

My husband and I are extremely independent people and built the farm as a kind of lifeboat with a hydro power system on the creek, food growing in the garden and lots of wild gathering in the area. We cleared the land in 1993 and have maintained the rich, high organic matter soils ever since by gathering seaweed for mulch, composting, using cover crops and organic amendments when needed.

Laird is presently developing and building a tidal power project and working with the Council of the Haida Nation to demonstrate his unique technology.

We believe in growing food for the local market and support local food security on Haida Gwaii.

DESIRED QUALITIES

The number one quality I am looking for is genuine interest and enthusiasm for growing food. The applicant must be physically fit to do the demanding work of farming and be a hard worker. Cheerfulness helps a lot and usually goes hand in hand with a love for the work. I have been farming here for 30 years and worked on other farms for years before that and I still feel excited every spring.

The employee must be happy living in a remote location. We offer room and board due to our location so the person will be living with us for 4-6 months. Weekly trips to town may not always be possible if we are running the small boat with limited capacity. Willingness to work as a member of the team is important. Previous gardening or farming experience is an asset.

JOB TASKS

The employee will work side by side much of the time with the farmer (Lynda). We will be starting transplants, planting seeds using a variety of seeders, making compost, weeding and watering the crops, fertilizing and understanding soil sciences, harvesting and preparing veggies for market, selling at the market, and learning greenhouse skills such as fertigation, watering and ventilation and pruning.

Each employee is encouraged to grow their own garden as well. In the past there have been bee gardens, the three sisters and herb gardens planted by the helpers.

By the end of the work term the applicant will be well on their way to developing the skills necessary to grow a small market garden successfully.

JOB DETAILS

Term:

1) This is a full time seasonal position. The start date is May 1 until October 31.

2) We are also looking for an employee for a full time position for four months that would start May 1 until August 30.

Hours per week: 35 hours per week.

Wage: The wages will be $20.00/hour. We provide free room and board due to our remote location.

We encourage employees to take time to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the region with days off the farm for exploring as well as the use of kayaks at the farm.

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter describing why you are interested in the position as well as a short resume of what you have been doing and what your interests are. It’s nice to know if you have special food requirements as well. Email: l.brassica1960@gmail.com

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