FARM JOB: Markham, Ontario – Joyfully Organic Farm, Crew Manager

Posted by JoHana Harcourt on March 01, 2023

Joyfully Organic Farm in Markham, Ontario is seeking a Crew Manager!

ABOUT Joyfully Organic Farm

Joyfully Organic Farm is a skilled, successful and dynamic Certified Local Organic vegetable farm in the Greater Toronto Area. We have a deep love of amazing food + strong farming practices. We have a large community of customers who share our love of eating well. We provide food for prominent Farmers Markets in Toronto, a large CSA, and wholesale relationships to local food purveyors.

We practice an innovative model of farming that focuses on lean operation efficiencies, bio-intensive planting, high yields per acre, multi-succession planting and laughing a lot. The farm is in its 10th year of production, with 4 production vegetable fields, a nursery production green house, in-field caterpillar tunnels, and a cut flower garden. The farm maximizes the efficiencies of two unique and distinct farm production systems. Some crops are grown on a 30 inch bed system with the use of walking tractors and managed with hand tools. Most of our other crops are grown in a tractor based system designed by our farm, that retains the strengths and efficiencies of the smaller tool production system, but leverages the efficiency of farming with tractors.

DESIRED QUALITIES

  • 2 – 3 seasons working at a production focused vegetable farm
  • Experience managing/leading staff/teaching staff in a workplace setting
  • Proficiency with hand tool weeding techniques and for all types of vegetable crops
  • Proficiency with row cover systems
  • Experience with irrigation systems
  • Proficiency with harvesting techniques for all types of vegetable crops
  • Proficiency with post harvest handling of vegetable crops
  • Knowledge of food safety standards
  • Ability to identify quality standards for vegetables and sort / grade accordingly
  • Excellent communication + leadership + teaching + motivational skills
  • Excellent organizational skills, the ability to organize ones own work and the work of others
  • Ability to efficiently manage and motivate people during field, weeding, harvesting and packing tasks
  • The ability to lift up to 50 lbs
  • Ability to work in heat, cold, rain and snow
  • Ability to stand, bend kneel and lift frequently

JOB TASKS

We are looking for an individual interested in a management position on an organic production farm. This person will provide leadership to our farm staff crew, while under the mentorship and supervision of the farm directors. You will be a key leader in the farm. This is an exciting opportunity for those who want to help run a well established and profitable production farm with robust sales channels.

We are proud of the success we have had thus far and look forward to growing our team and our production.

MANAGEMENT AREAS:

  • Lead team to meet daily and weekly production and harvest objectives – Maintain quality and safety standards
  • Provide coaching and guidance to staff
  • Maintain efficiency of the staff team through proper directions, allocation of resources, effective transitions between tasks, pace setting and good field judgement
  • Meet daily with Farm Director to receive daily farm objectives: – including field, transplanting, harvest + wash pack tasks – create a productive, well paced work atmosphere
  • Teaching and modelling field tasks to crew members effectively:
  • Transplanting
  • Row cover protection
  • Hand tool weeding
  • Harvesting
  • Washing
  • Continuously monitoring crew’s performance, pace and quality and providing feedback for improvement
  • Anticipate what is needed for the next tasks of the day, and facilitating smooth transitions for the crew
  • Monitor overall pace and efficiency of the crew
  • Ensure organization of tools, vehicles, tractors, supplies, etc.
  • Help to create a positive and focused work environment for the team
  • Ensure crew is following safety protocol for any task
  • Contribute to farm leadership meetings

JOB DETAILS

Term: April to December or year round

Hours per week: Full Time.

April to December: Main Farm Season – 5 to 6 days / week
January to March: Winter Farm Season – 4-5 days / week

Wage:  9-12 months renewing contract. Remuneration: $35,500- 42,200 (annual equivalent), pro-rated by contract length. Additional seasonal bonus.

Other perks:

  • Provide fresh produce from the farm
  • Paid winter vacation days
  • Portion of Jan-March work may be completed remotely
  • Flexible schedule Jan-March
  • Potential for on farm accommodation

TO APPLY

Fill out our Farm Staff Applicant Form on our website + attach your resume. Please indicate you saw this posting at Young Agrarians. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Thanks!

You can contact us at info@joyfullyorganicfarm.ca

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT Joyfully Organic Farm

Websitehttps://joyfullyorganicfarm.ca/join-our-jof-farm-team
Facebookhttp://www.joyfullyorganicfarm
Instagramhttp://www.joyfullyorganicfarm

View more Farm Jobs and Apprenticeships on our Job Board