FARM JOB: Guelph, Ontario – Ignatius Farm, Farm Workers

Posted by JoHana Harcourt on January 30, 2023

Ignatius Farm in Guelph, Ontario is seeking multiple Farm Workers!

ABOUT IGNATIUS FARM

Do you love working outdoors rain or shine? Working productively as a team? Creating big community benefits for ecosystems, local food, and farm access for everyone? Join the Ignatius Farm team. Work immediately north of Guelph, Ontario in a place of peace and community impact.

Ignatius Farm is the community organic training farm of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre. IJC nurtures spiritual growth and ecological engagement through agriculture, retreats, and restoration work. Ignatius Farm grows certified organic produce for Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) members, markets, local businesses and service agencies. Farm programs include community gardens, community orchard, Small Plot Agriculture rentals, Farm Immersion Internships, New Farmer Training, working shares, volunteering and community events.

DESIRED QUALITIES

Dream farm team candidates:

  • Have a demonstrated interest, knowledge and/or experience with gardening, ecological farming, greenhouse work, field work, hand tools and/or equipment
  • Are physically fit and able to work outside rain or shine; Math & customer service skills
  • Have a commitment to ecology, health & safety, collaborative team work, community building
  • Assets: Valid G class drivers licence, First Aid/CPR, spreadsheet experience

JOB TASKS

Farm workers grow, harvest & distribute quality organic produce in fields and greenhouses, and support Ignatius Farm community programs.

ACTIVITIES

  • Plant, transplant, weed, harvest and clean crops per Organic, food safety, and quality standards
  • Perform field activities efficiently and effectively, a model for volunteers, trainees, and co-workers
  • Provide wonderful customer service for CSA, Community Gardens, U-pick berries
  • Lead farming activities in assigned areas of responsibility based on aptitude and experience
  • Strawberry cropping & U-pick coordination
  • Indoor crop production & greenhouse maintenance
  • Equipment operations & maintenance
  • Irrigation & maintenance
  • Harvest coordination; post-harvest handling
  • Community Shared Agriculture market facilitation
  • Community Orchard
  • Community Gardens
  • Community Field Days, volunteer groups & seasonal event
  • Utilize and maintain tools, equipment and structures safely, according to training provided
  • Log activities; Support logistics & system improvements of all farming activities and programs
  • Support training of staff, volunteers and program participants

JOB DETAILS

Term: Contracts start April 24 & May 1., and  end Aug 31, Nov 17 & Dec 15.

Hours per week: 35 hours/week average; evening or weekend work may be required

Wage: Wage: $17/hr

Benefits: CSA share of vegetables, optional garden plot; crop seconds

Optional Housing: $650/month rent includes utilities & internet

TO APPLY

Submit resume and letter of interest to officecoordinator@ignatiusguelph.ca

You may also be interested in the Ignatus Farm Immersion Internships (optional life-changing bonus track!)  Learn more at: https://ignatiusguelph.ca/ignatius-farm/internships/

Some of the  details:

  • Ignatius Farm Immersion interns are Farm Workers who additionally participate in the Ignatius New Farmer Training Program (NFTP) and Farm Mentorship (FM). Training fees apply. Subsidies available.
  • The Ignatius New Farmer Training program is offered in collaboration with EFAO, NFU-O and Everdale. NFTP is 4 terms of online and field day trainings from April 11 – Nov 15, 2023.
  • Farm Mentorship includes 1 week of paid on-the-job training, learning plan & mentorship meetings with Ignatius Farm Educator, independent project including supplies and field trip transport.
  • Training time is additional to the 35 hours of the Farm Worker contract. The internship is full farm immersion combining the Farm Worker contract, NFTP knowledge and skill-building training, and personal Farm Mentorship. Count on 5-10 hrs/week learning time outside of contract hours.

To apply, please submit a CLEAR LETTER OF INTEREST with your resume, including:

  •  Contract timeline and if you seek on-site accommodation
  • Which funding criteria you meet (below)
  • Relevant experience, skills, and values
  • What you hope to learn and any plans for farming and food work in your future
  •  If you wish to participate in the Farm Immersion Internship. If yes, read and confirm understanding of the 2023 Farm Immersion Internship package.

FUNDING ELIGIBILITY
IJC seeks funding to compensate staff well. Some positions require candidates meet some or all of:
• Have a valid SIN number
• 30 years old or younger
• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or refugee status.
• Current post-secondary student not on a work permit or visa

The Ignatius Jesuit Centre (IJC) aspires to be an equitable and inclusive place where a diversity of life experiences, identities and perspectives work together. IJC encourages applicants from all walks of life, especially those from communities that have been historically excluded from farming or access to farmland. We apply an anti-oppression framework to our work and have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment.

We thank all applicants in advance; only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Please email your application to: officecoordinator@ignatiusguelph.ca

Deadline to apply: Round 1: Feb 20, 2023; Round 2: Feb 28, 2023

When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org

LEARN MORE ABOUT IGNATIUS FARM

Website: https://ignatiusguelph.ca/get-involved/employment/

View more Farm Jobs and Apprenticeships on our Job Board