FARM JOBS: CAWSTON, BC – Snowy Mountain Organics, Multiple Positions & Apprenticeships

Snowy Mountain Organics in Cawston, BC is hiring a Farm Administrator, Orchard Crew Leader, and Apprentices & Worker Bees for the 2020 season! 

ABOUT Snowy Mountain Organics

Situated in the south Similkameen valley, approximately half way from Keremeos to Osoyoos, the farm lies on the west side of the river across the Chopaka bridge between the Similkameen and Chopaka first nations reserves.  We produce tree fruits for sale in the lower mainland through the Farm Circle Organics collective at farmers markets, CSA’s, and farm gates.

We have farmed organically for 36 years and our orchard trees, bushes and plants reflect our love for diversity.  Our 25 acre farm grows an amazing collection of cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, apples,  pears, quince, berries and heat loving veggies like tomatoes, peppers eggplant basil and cucumbers.  Striving to promote healthy organic growth,  farm practices include applying rich compost, fish and kelp encouraging positive colonization of beneficial micro organisms, our pruning encourages lots of open space for air and sun in around and below the fruit bearing canopy to allow our trees to dry quickly.

About the Positions

1) Farm administrator

Qualities:
Love of organic farming, ability to take and give direction when appropriate, get along with farm mates, detail and process oriented, ability to move 40 lb boxes regularly.

Tasks:
All tasks involved with the planning, physical packing and preparations, paperwork, and interpersonal direction necessary for (primarily) the farm owners to attend farmers markets and deliver produce to other collective farms each weekend from early June to the end of October.

These tasks include but not limited to:

• Unloading and cleaning a truck and trailer each Monday,
• Sorting, counting, weighing and properly storing all returned produce,
• Checking inventory lists and repacking all tools and supplies necessary for each weekend, including washing table cloths and sample trays as necessary, charging batteries, creating shopping lists, and keeping the work area ship shape.
• Sorting and prepacking fruit for market, sometimes alone, and sometime leading a team.
• Filling out detailed forms (provided) to track product shipped, returned, discarded, harvested, and packed.
• Entering product received, returned, composted, and sold from collective farms into a Google shared spreadsheet.
• Loading and packing truck and trailer for trip to market.

Start date and duration:
At the latest, this job starts the last week of May. Depending on the abilities of the candidate, the farm has work from March 1 to the end of November, and perhaps for the winter as well.

Compensation:
$18 an hour. We like to see a full 40 hr work week. We have some accommodations available, rental prices to be negotiated, there is also an RV /small home location & or tenting available along with plenty of fruits and veggies.

2) Orchard Crew Leader

Someone with experience in orchard practices such as pruning, thinning, picking, weedwacking Must be capable of setting an example of starting early and getting the jobs done professionally, yet be capable of teaching, encouraging and checking that the jobs are done to meet our fresh market needs. Our picking practices aim for a riper tastier product then conventional orchards many “highballers” find this picking standard harder. Hence we pay by the hour rather then bin with the exception of cherries during the main pick.

Compensation:
$18 an hour. We like to see a full 40 hr work week. We have some accommodations available, rental prices to be negotiated, there is also an RV spot & free tenting available along with seasonal fruits and veggies.

Start Date and Duration: 
Pruning begins the beginning of March. Picking goes until November followed by the fall clean up and composting.

3) Farm Apprentices & Worker Bees

Job Tasks: 
Jobs include pruning, thinning, picking, packing, planting, irrigating and weeding. We have found that people with a desire to learn and possibly become organic farmers are such a pleasure to have on the team. There will be times for both working alone and working with others. The south Similkameen is one of Canada’s hottest climates, being ready to start work early is essential. When heat is extreme like during cherries we start at 5 am. Hard physical work lifting climbing ladders and carrying fruit.

Compensation:
$15 to $18 an hour depending on experience. We like to see a full 40 hr work week. We have some accommodations available, rental prices to be negotiated, there is also an RV spot & free tenting available along with seasonal fruits and veggies.

Start Date and Duration:
Flexible – Pruning begins the beginning of March. Picking goes until November followed by the fall clean up and composting.

To Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and references to snowymtnfarm@gmail.com

Deadline: Start up is March 1st for pruning – please submit resume asap for pruning jobs. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.

When applying, please indicate that you saw this posting at Youngagrarians.org

Learn more about Snowy Mountain Organics

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View more farm jobs and apprenticeships here.