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FARM JOB: Saanichton, BC – Northbrook Farm, Farm Hand
February 4, 2025
Northbrook Farm in Saanichton, British Columbia is seeking a Farm Hand!
ABOUT Northbrook Farm
Northbrook Farm began in 2000. Heather Stretch (owner) and Steven Hung (manager) run this 7-acre certified organic mixed veggie and blueberry farm with occasional assistance from Heather’s husband and sons. Northbrook is a bustling farm situated within a 20-acre property where other businesses also operate. We are part of the Saanich Organics group of farms (www.saanichorganics.com). We sell through our CSA, at a farmers market, to many local restaurants and grocers, and at our farm stand. We are primarily human-scale, but use tractors for primary tillage and bed preparation.
Heather started farming because she wanted to work outside, be surrounded by life and growth, produce delicious food, all while treading lightly and taking care of this little piece of Earth. To that end, we have been Certified Organic since the beginning and consider the environmental impacts of our management practices. As the farm grew and developed, Heather also came to realize the value and joy of people working in community. Northbrook is a business, and as such needs to produce and sell efficiently. Each year Steven and Heather work to improve our systems and our communication to ensure that everyone can see the big picture and know their role on farm.
DESIRED QUALITIES
Northbrook Farm is looking for 2 full-time farm hands to join our field crew. We are looking for people who are energetic, passionate about sustainable and productive agriculture and love working in community. Experience is a plus, but not absolutely necessary if you are physically fit, hard working, and eager to work hard and learn lots. This is a great opportunity for aspiring farmers who want to learn and gain experience to run their own farms in the future.
Key skills we’re looking for:
- Efficient time management
- Ability to work hard in challenging conditions (hot, cold, wet, dry)
- Good communicator
- Likes working with others, but can also buckle down and work alone on boring tasks for extended periods of time
- Underlying all of this, we are looking for people who love soil, care deeply about organic agriculture, and find joy in growing healthy food.
POSITION TASKS
- Farm hands will do all of the following and more:
- Seeding, transplanting and lots of weeding
- Bed preparation and pest management
- Irrigation
- Field preparation (including tractor operation)
- Harvesting, washing, and packing produce
- Maintain records with provided forms
- Ensure tidy, efficient, safe workplace
- Help others on the crew, and ask for help (good communication)
POSITION DETAILS
Term: One farm hand will start mid march, one will start mid April. Season end is somewhat flexible, some time from late September to early November.
Hours per week: 40 hours per week
Wage: Hourly wage is $18-$21 per hour based on experience.
All farm staff are also welcome to take home produce, and we have a small self-directed health care fund. There is limited housing available on farm, to be discussed on individual basis.
TO APPLY
Please send resume and cover letter to Heather.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to come for a ½ day paid working interview. It’s easier for us to get to know each other when we’re chatting over work rather than sitting across a table for an interview
Email: hsandll@shaw.ca
Deadline to apply: February 28
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 Northbrook Farm
Instagram: @northbrook.farm