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Gibsons Farm in Gibsons, BC is seeking a Market Garden Manager!
ABOUT Gibsons Farm
Gibsons Farm is land devoted to ecosystems and sustainable food production. We believe in multigenerational, community based education. Our mission is to incorporate youth education into our production farm. There is a lot going on here on the land, there are 4-6 full time educators in the spring/summer/fall. There is a summer camp which aims to expose a whole new generation to what sustainable agriculture looks and feels like. There are wool sheep, dairy goats, a laying flock, fruit and nut orchards, ponds and wild space, a magical creek, and two ponies for fun (and manure). There are several teeny tiny cabins that fill with seasonal staff and woofers. There are farm to table events on the weekends in the warm months. Schools come from all over BC for multi-day camping and learning events where we run workshops and attempt to change the understanding of a generating surrounding food systems and why they matter. We are a team of passionate outdoor educators and farmers who believe the work we do is incredibly important in the world.
The market garden is a small scale productive patch in its fifth year of intensive growing. It has a fully automated irrigation system, established beds and rows with deep compost application every year for the past 5 years, and all the tools needed to thrive. We follow organic practices and are considering pursuing certification in the coming months/years. There is 1 acre of mixed veggies that are no-till, high yield, mixed crops grown in the way recently made popular by JM Fortier. There is also 2 acres split into 3 fields for rotations of potatoes, corn and squash where we use our small tractor. We sell almost all of our produce farm-gate, as well as participating in a CSA foodbox program and providing for caterers for farm to tables events.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
- Are passionate about the mission of the farm related to education. There will be children and youth on the farm most days, this should invigorate not frustrate you! Their interaction with the Market Garden space is always facilitated, there are other gardens for the children to run wild in. However we dream that you might feel passionate about leading some facilitation here and there.
- Have good hustle and focus!
- Have worked with mixed vegetable production in the past, and are familiar with the no-till method.
- Are comfortable or can become comfortable driving a small tractor and switching implements.
- Value good communication skills and enjoy the presence of people, as well as working alone.
- Are able and excited to work physical tasks that include kneeling, bending, and the ability to lift.
- Skills in the areas of food/horticultural production, soil and landscape management, quality control when harvesting, trellising and pruning, water and nutrient management, farm equipment use and maintenance etc.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee and execute all aspects of intensive growing from seed to sales in the market garden.
- Creating and maintaining crop plans, sales records, and schedules of employees and volunteers.
- Maintaining the farmstand and ensuring it is stocked daily, including on your days off by coordinating and training the other staff and volunteers to do so.
- Maintaining the Seed House, High Tunnel, ditches, wash station and drip irrigation to a professional standard.
- Working efficiently, mindfully, and professionally.
- Ensuring no weeds go to seed and the gardens have an appearance of high professionality – clean edges, straight rows, and wood chip aisles.
- Building and maintaining field infrastructure (trellising, tunnels, mulch, row cover, etc)
- Involving volunteers and the public in a friendly way (while also not detracting too much from productive work.)
- Managing the budget in consultation with Jordan and Robin. The farm pays for all farm related expenses, (compost, amendments, tools, soil testing, packaging materials, etc).
- Daily Chicken Care shared amongst all who live on site.
POSITION DETAILS
Term: May 1 – October 30, 2026. Restarting March 15-October 30th, 2027.
Hours per week: With 40 hour work weeks, hours are flexible and can change with the season, for instance earlier starts in the hot months. 5 days/week, 8 hours/day. This person must be present for morning team meetings at 8am during June – August.
Wage: This position has a salary of $200/day. There is the option to join as an educator for overnight school programs and receive a higher wage for those days in spring and fall. This can be discussed in the interview process.
Benefits: Full health benefits are available.
Housing can be provided. We have several housing options on-site ranging from a private 2 bedroom apartment with a yard and covered parking available year-round, to a tiny home suitable only for the farming season, depending on your needs and desires. Rent will be either zero or heavily subsidized.
TO APPLY
Please provide contact information, and anything you’d like us to know about you to office@gibsonsfarm.ca
Deadline to apply: February 25th
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 Gibsons Farm
Website: www.gibsonsfarm.ca