Evergreens Hydroponic Farm in Fernie, BC is seeking a Lead Grower!
ABOUT Evergreens Hydroponic Farm
Evergreens is a social enterprise of the Wildsight Elk Valley Branch in Fernie BC. Evergreens Farm grows leafy greens via controlled environment agriculture, similar to a hydroponic shipping container. The farm will be situated in front of the Community EcoGarden in Fernie BC. The position will include a 2-week training at a hydroponic shipping container farm in Whitehorse, Yukon with the installation of the Evergreens Container Farm taking place in Summer/Fall 2023.
Production practices are available at https://wildsight.ca/evergreens/
DESIRED QUALITIES
- Passion for local, sustainable food and community
- Excellent communication skills
- Good interpersonal and teamwork skills
- Organizational and problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail
- Excellent time management skills
- Computer literate
- Committed environmental ethic
- High attention to detail in an evolving, fast-paced environment
- Demonstrated capacity for self-directed and unsupervised work
- Past experience in controlled environment agriculture is not a requirement
- Experience growing crops, either hydroponically and/or traditionally is a plus.
- Knowledge of basic agricultural growing practices, hydroponics, previous project management experience, work with social enterprise is an asset.
JOB TASKS
- GROWING – day-to-day operation, preparing growing matter, seeding, germination processes, and transferring seedlings.
- PLANNING – all aspects of plant production including: crop planning, nutrient & seed inventory and supply management.
- MAINTAINING – clean and maintain the equipment and site. Utilize farm automation software that provides access into the farming container operations.
- MONITORING – Testing and monitoring ideal set points for temperature, humidity, water pH and nutrient concentration, as well as watering and lighting schedules for crops utilizing automated system controls.
- HARVESTING – preparing crops for distribution e.g. trimming, washing. Verify quality of products.
- PACKAGING – fulfilling orders, weighing and packaging products, cleaning and tracking reusable containers.
- DISTRIBUTION – load product and help with order deliveries. Sort orders by delivery day and route. Coordination of product delivery to schools, food bank, restaurants and Local.
- SAFETY – Perform all tasks while upholding high safety and food safety standards.
- COMMUNICATING – Utilize Basecamp project management software to communicate with colleges. Co-produce timely, and engaging of social media and other online content.
- TEAMWORK – Work in a team environment and collaborate effectively with youth, managers, and volunteers. Review plant production plans and report observations including plant abnormalities and hydroponic unit issues and with Farm Manager.
- MANUAL LABOR – including standing the entire shift, repetitive hand tasks, gripping, pinching, pulling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and twisting, working in a warm hydroponic environment on a daily basis. Ability to consistently lift 20-40 lbs
JOB DETAILS
Term: Summer/Fall 2023. Permanent part-time position
Hours per week: 20 hours per week
Wage: $20/hour
TO APPLY
Please send your resume (maximum 2 pages) and cover letter (maximum 1 page) to elkvalley@wildsight.ca. Please include information about your confirmed housing in the Fernie area. We will respond via email to all applicants by May 5th, 2023.
Deadline to apply: April 30th, 2023
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT Evergreens Hydroponic Farm
Website: https://wildsight.ca/2023/04/11/hiringleadgrower/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildsightelkvalley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildsightelkvalley/