Downtown School Farm in Squamish, BC is seeking a School Farm Manager!
ABOUT Downtown School Farm
We are a school farm situated between a highschool and elementry school in the heart of downtown Squamish. We produce about 15 different varieties and sell to the highschool, direct sales and CSA/Good Food Box. We have 26, 50′ long beds, plus a 30′ x 98′ polycarbonate greenhouse. We are about to start our third growing season and are looking for someone to champion this project who has a demonstrated ability to grow successfully.
We are not certified organic but follow the guidelines. We have spent the past year working a few challenges out and learning how to grow in a closed greenhouse. We are thankful to have some great local knowledge who have been helpful along the way.
DESIRED QUALITIES
Applicant must:
- Have a minimum of 2+ seasons of experience in diversified organic vegetable production
- Proven ability to successful at running a small farm effectively and efficiently while meeting sales goals in efforts for this project to be financially viable
- Thrive working within a team as well as independently
- Be passionate about regenerative farming, good food, and being a steward to the land
- Experience in working in an enclosed greenhouse environment and how to manage pests proactively
- Be a fast, organized, efficient, and tidy worker
- Be committed to certified organic principles
Have excellent time management and organization skills, as well as a proven ability to work in fast-paced environments, make quick decisions, and prioritize tasks on the fly - Be highly resourceful, creative and self-directed
- Have a high level of personal and professional integrity
- Be able to see the whole picture while being extremely detail-oriented
- Be conversant (or able to learn quickly) in general computer skills including MS Office and Google Drive. Familiar or willingness to learn farm software program for small scale farms
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Management of day-to-day operations of seeding, potting up, transplanting, weeding, irrigation, prepping beds, harvesting, washing and packing produce for sale
- Selling and promoting every week (Good Food Box/CSA program, direct sales and other)
- Close communication with Squamish CAN team and Howe Sound Secondary staff and leadership
- Management and possible training of farm hand, public and student volunteers
Oversee classes taught to Squamish Elementary students (we will hire someone else to teach) - Supporting Farm Studies and other classes at Howe Sound Secondary
- Providing informal education to Farm Club members
- Contributing to the establishment of some education with surrounding schools
- Overseeing irrigation schedule and repairs
- Estimating harvest amounts ahead of harvest
- Record keeping of seeding dates, nutrient application, and manure management
- Planning for seed crop production and harvesting
- Tracking and ordering/picking up supplies as needed
- Maintaining long term farm fertility and attentiveness to the big picture for the farm
Integrating new methods with tried and true old ones
JOB DETAILS
Term: Onboarding will start late January – early February 2024. This is a single season position, with possible extension of staying year-round or continuing on seasonal.
Hours per week: This position will be about 35-40 hours per week until November 2024.
Hour per week: Somewhat flexible, but will need to be there on the majority of school hours (minimum of 4 days mid week. May – August hours are more flexible with additional farm-hand help.
Wage: $24-$26 per hour, based on experience
TO APPLY
Applicants must have:
- A clean criminal record check for working with vulnerable populations (children/youth)
- Be legally eligible to work in Canada
Email a resume and cover letter (explaining your experience with farming) or questions to Krystle tenBrink, Executive Director at krystle@squamishcan.net by 11:59 PM on Friday, January 26th. Included in the subject “ School Farm Manager Application”.
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT Downtown School Farm
Website: https://www.squamishcan.net/about-2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squamish.climate.action.network/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squamish_can/