The askîy project in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is seeking an urban agriculture intern!
ABOUT the askîy project
The askîy project is an internship-based urban agriculture project in the core neighbourhoods of Saskatoon, SK (Treaty 6 Territory and home of the Metis Nation). Each season Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth learn together about growing, harvesting, and selling vegetables, herbs and flowers. The project’s five key focus areas are: growing food and food skills, enhancing cultural connections, promoting environmental sustainability, fostering social enterprise, and engaging youth.
The work is human-powered; hand tools and drip irrigation are used. The program is part of CHEP Good Food Inc., a non-profit that works with children, families and communities to improve access to good food and promote food security. Produce is sold through a CSA subscription that uses CHEP’s Good Food Box program as a distribution network. Local businesses, restaurants, and community markets may also be sales outlets.
As a program of CHEP Good Food, the askîy project shares the vision for community food sovereignty, where:
- Everyone has assured access to adequate, appropriate and personally acceptable food in a way that promotes health, respect and dignity
- People are able to earn a living wage by growing, producing, processing, handling, retailing and serving food
- The quality of land, air, and water is maintained and enhanced for future generations
Food is celebrated as central to community and cultural integrity.
DESIRED QUALITIES
- Experience working in a garden or a keen interest in gardening or urban agriculture
- Enjoys physical, outdoor work in all weather conditions
- Cultural understanding and sensitivity
- Communication, conflict resolution, and creative problem-solving skills
- Excellent organizational and record keeping, and planning skills
- Experience working with children, youth groups, or volunteers
- Teamwork, flexibility, and adaptability
JOB TASKS
Interns are involved in all aspects of vegetable, herb and flower growing, including some planning and crop selection, site setup, seeding, transplanting, mulching, weeding, harvesting, packaging, pest scouting and management. Interns will work with volunteers (individuals and groups) and help host two weeks of a children’s garden camp. Interns will help host school groups and tours. Interns participate in workshops, mentorships, excursions, and cultural activities. Each intern is granted a small plot that they can plan, tend and harvest for the season.
JOB DETAILS
Term: The temporary, full-time positions (4 internships available) start May 6 (unless otherwise agreed upon) and is a 16-week contract. Funding through Canada Summer Jobs is utilized so interns must meet the following requirements:
- Must be between the ages of 15-30 years old.
- Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have been granted refugee status. **Student Work Visas are not accepted for this position**
- Legally allowed to work in Canada.
- No previous experience is necessary.
- There is an Indigenous cultural component to the internship; applicants of Indigenous descent are encouraged to self-declare in their cover letter.
Hours per week: 35 hr/week. The schedule is set collectively by interns and coordinator (typically 8-3:30 with half hour unpaid lunch break). Hours are typically Mon – Friday with occasional evening work for volunteer nights. Weekend work may be available for special events but not required.
Wage: $17/hr, 35 hours per week for 16 weeks. Perks include mentorship and learning experiences, and a small plot to plant and harvest your own herbs/vegetables. When the harvest is abundant, ‘imperfect’ produce is often available for interns to take home.
TO APPLY
Please send a resume highlighting skills and experience, two current references, and cover letter to urbanag@chep.org
Deadline to apply: Friday April 12, 2024
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT the askîy project
Website: https://www.chep.org/askiy-project/
Instagram: @theaskiyproject
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