Crescent Island Farms in Ladner, BC is seeking an Assistant Farm Manager!
ABOUT Crescent Island Farms
Originally a dairy farm located in Delta, Crescent Island Farms is now host to a small mixed vegetable farm, hops, and a flock of sheep. Located just 25 km outside of Vancouver, our farm is a great option for someone living in the city who wants to escape and work outside with their hands.
This past season we cultivated ā of an acre to market garden, 5+ acres to hops, and tended to a small flock of sheep on pasture. We are located across the street from Barnside Brewery, which is where the majority of the hops end up, as well as a good amount of our produce.
The market garden at Crescent Island uses sustainable practices to grow a large variety of crops throughout the year. The majority of our produce goes to restaurants in Vancouver and Ladner, which we deliver ourselves. We focus on producing the most delicious food we can, while actively working to improve soil health and the biodiversity of our surrounding ecosystems. After starting the market garden in 2021 we have already learned so much, and we are excited to expand the area under cultivation. The farm creates an environment for hard work, collaboration, experimentation, and stewardship to all come together.
DESIRED QUALITIES
We are seeking an experienced, reliable, and excited individual to join our farm family who has strong communication skills and can work well both alone, and within a team.
This is a position we hope will be filled by someone who wants to be involved in Crescent Island Farms for years to come, with the potential to take on more responsibility, decision making abilities, and creativity within your role.
Skills & Qualifications
- 1+ year(s) vegetable farming experience
- Ability to work well individually and within a team
- Ā Strong work ethic
- A high attention to detail and high level of organization
- Ā Good time management skills
- Flexible and able to adapt to changes in plans or conditions as needed
- Ā Ability to problem solve
- Willing to work in all weather conditions
- Ability to maintain efficiency and motivation while working individually
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to lift 50+ lbs repeatedly
Assets:
- Intention to make a multi-year commitment with potential for increased compensation and responsibility
- Knowledge related to horticultural practices, pest & disease control, irrigation, cultivation, harvesting, etc.
- Valid BC driverās license and willing to do delivery driving as part of your role
JOB TASKS
The Assistant Farm Manager role will primarily be involved in the day to day of the market garden. Tasks such as starting seeds, transplanting, cultivating, and harvesting will be done on a regular basis. There is such a large variety of work to be done on a small scale farm that the day to day operations never seem to get boring.
There will also be times in the season where you will be called in to help with jobs related to the hop yard. Training the hop plants, moving the sheep in and out, pruning, and harvesting are some of the jobs where we need extra help.
This market garden is still small so most of the work is done by hand with very little use of tractors or heavy machinery. This means there are long stretches of standing, working with your hands, kneeling, squatting, and carrying out repetitive tasks in all weather conditions.
This is a position we hope will be filled by someone who wants to be involved in Crescent Island Farms for years to come, with the potential to take on more responsibility, decision making abilities, and creativity within your role.
Role Responsibilities
- Production activities; seed starting, seedling care and management, field preparation, transplanting, direct seeding, cultivation, fertilizing, irrigation, pest management, field clean-up, and more
- Harvesting activities; crop harvesting, washing, packing, and potentially delivering to fill our weekly orders
- Hop related activities; training, pruning, disease management, harvesting, etc.
- Transporting crops between the field, washing areas and storage areas
- General site maintenance, weed whacking, mowing, etc
- Maintaining accurate production and harvest records
- Follow the food safety plans and procedures while handling produce
- Ā Other duties as required
JOB DETAILS
Term: Begin between March & May until December. Possibility of extension / year-round work for the right candidate.
Hours per week: Full time: 40 hours / week
- Monday-Friday schedule, with occasional weekend work if needed.
- Typical day is 8:00-5:00, depending on the time of year, weather conditions, and other factors.
Wage: $18+ / hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
Other details:
- No room or board available at this time
- Ability to take extended time off between January and March if desired
- Sick days and vacation days included in contract
- Free access to high quality organic produce and products
TO APPLY
Please attach a resume and cover letter outlining your interest and experience in farming to TJ McWilliam at crescentislandfarm@gmail.com and put āJob Applicationā in the subject line.
This position has the opportunity to access wage subsidies through a federal program. To help us confirm your eligibility, please confirm if you meet the following criteria in your cover letter:
- Residency status in Canada
- Under the age of 30
- If you are a student, please state if you will be returning to full-time studies in the fall
You may also include a cover letter and resume, or other applicable information. Please include three professional references in your application, these references will not be contacted without your permission.
Note, if you do not feel that you qualify, but are interested in the position and are willing to learn please apply. We are interested in a diverse team and willing to train the right person. Explain why you want the position and why you think you should be considered in your cover letter.
We appreciate you taking the time to apply, however, only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.
Deadline to apply: February 20, 2023
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT Crescent Island Farms
Instagram: @crescentislandfarms
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