Vive Le Veg Farm in Ladner, BC is seeking a Field Crew!
ABOUT Vive Le Veg Farm
Vive Le Veg Farm is a small mixed vegetable farm located just 25 km outside of Vancouver, with access to public transit. Our location is a great option for people living in the city who want to escape, work outside, and grow delicious food. We are operating on a larger farm (Crescent Island Farms), located in a long-standing agricultural neighbourhood with a number of active farms along the road.
This past season we cultivated 1.5 acres of intensive market garden-style vegetables. We grew a large variety of crops with our main ones being tomatoes, peppers, salad greens, edible flowers and radicchio.
Since the farm started in 2021 we have learned so much, and expanded the space that we grow on every year. Vive Le Veg sells to a number of great restaurants in the Delta and Vancouver community. We are lucky to be able to work alongside so many talented, dedicated, and hard-working folks in the food industry. Because of these great relationships, we do not have to sell at farmer’s markets or through a CSA, which means less harvesting by the bunch and no work on the weekends!
We don’t want to grow just for growth’s sake, we will never be the biggest farm and that’s ok with us. Our focus is on producing the most delicious and nutritious food we can, while actively working to improve soil health and the biodiversity of our surrounding ecosystems. We enjoy tending to a smaller acreage in a slower and more intentional manner. We rarely use tractors on our farm and only have a few electronic tools that we use regularly. With that being said we grow a lot of food on our small farm and we pay close attention to the quality of crops coming out.
The crops we produce are all grown following sustainable and holistic practices. Although we are not certified organic, we follow all organic guidelines, we just don’t like extra paperwork. We do as little tilling and soil disturbance to our permanent raised bed systems as is feasible with our heavy clay soils.
Currently, we are working with a neighbour to make all of our own compost, lessening our reliance on outside nutrients and sources. This past fall with the help of the Delta Farm and Wildlife Trust we installed a new hedgerow to increase biodiversity and habitat for local insect and bird populations. We also have a small apiary on the farm, are are always happy to bring folks into the hive that are interested in the bees.
Our farm creates an environment for collaboration, experimentation, hard work and community to all come together.
DESIRED QUALITIES
We are seeking enthusiastic and reliable individuals to join our farm crew who have strong communication skills and can work well both alone, and within a team.
We hope to fill these roles with folks who want to be involved in Vive Le Veg 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
- Strong work ethic
- A high attention to detail and high level of organization
- Good time management skills
- Flexible and able to adapt to changes in plans or conditions as needed
- 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
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.
JOB TASKS
The Farm Crew role(s) will primarily be involved in the day-to-day operations of the market garden. Tasks such as starting seeds, transplanting, cultivating, harvesting , and cleaning equipment will be done on a regular basis. There is such a large variety of work to be done on a small scale farm that daily tasks are always changing.
Our farm is still small scale so most of the work is done manually with very little use of tractors or heavy machinery. There are long stretches of standing, working with your hands, kneeling, squatting, and carrying out repetitive tasks in all weather conditions.
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, and packing.
- Transporting crops between the field, washing areas and storage areas
- General site maintenance, weed whacking, mowing, etc
- Follow the food safety plans and procedures while handling produce
- Other duties as required
JOB DETAILS
Position 1: April 1 – October 31.
- 35-40 hours per week (five 8 hour days or four 10 hour days)
- $18+ / hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Possibility of extension / year-round work for the right candidate.
- Paid sick days & vacation days included in contract
- Job start and end dates flexible
Position 2: May 15 – September 15
- 16-30 hours per week
- $18+ / hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Paid sick days & vacation days included in contract
- Job start and end dates flexible
Other details:
- Sick days and vacation days included in contract
- Free access to awesome vegetables
- No room or board available at this time
- Flexible work week (outside of Mondays and Tuesdays)
- No weekend work
TO APPLY
Please attach a resume and cover letter outlining your interest and experience in farming and send to TJ McWilliam at tj.mcwilliam.2@gmail.com and put “Job Application” in the subject line. In your application please indicate which position (1 or 2) you are most interested in.
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
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.
Position open until filled. Interviews will happen on a rolling basis, early application is encouraged.
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.
Deadline to apply: March 15th, 2024
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT Vive Le Veg Farm
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vivelevegfarm
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