Wild Flight Farm near Salmon Arm, BC, is hiring for two positions: greenhouse manager and farm manager.

ABOUT WILD FLIGHT FARM

Wild Flight Farm is an approximately 20-acre certified organic mixed vegetable farm in Mara, B.C. that has grown into a successful business over the past 25 years. This firmly-established family farm has a strong following at year-round farmer’s markets in the communities of Salmon Arm and Revelstoke. Produce is also shipped weekly to Urban Harvest, a long-running and successful organic home delivery service in Kelowna. Over the years the farm has developed to include 12 high tunnels and a large heated house for seedling production.

We grow all our own transplants and the tunnels allow for significant season extension, allowing us to reach early spring markets with fresh greens and root crops. Later in spring, the high tunnels are home to heat-loving crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. We have also developed a large packing and storage building which allows our employees to work comfortably and efficiently and provides space and appropriate conditions for both summer cooling and winter storage of a wide diversity of crops.

We generally employ a crew of 10 full-time employees through the growing season and 2 to 3 full-time employees to carry the farm through the winter market season. The rural location in the North Okanagan/Shuswap is within a 30-minute drive of the communities of Salmon Arm, Enderby and Sicamous. Cultural and Recreational opportunities abound in the area, and there are many options for day trips to enjoy the mountains, lakes or rivers when time permits. The farm borders the Shuswap River and funding has recently been approved to establish a “rails to trails” corridor that passes very close by. After 25 years of going full-steam ahead to build the farm and provide consistent, high quality organic food to their community, the owners are wishing to step back from day-to-day management and provide guidance and an opportunity to someone (or a couple) who is motivated and ready to approach farming as a full-time profession.

For more information about Wild Flight Farm, visit the farm website at: wildflightfarm.ca

Or find Wild Flight Farm on Facebook

GREENHOUSE MANAGER

DESIRED QUALITIES

• Hands-on experience working on a vegetable farm, including experience in greenhouse/high tunnel management
• Preferably a post-secondary degree or diploma in an agriculture or horticulture-related program
• Competence in operating a walk-behind rototiller
• Strong interpersonal and supervisory skills
• Knowledge of and experience with organic production methods and organic standards
• A positive, can-do attitude and a drive to work quickly and efficiently
• Consistently and reliably punctual

JOB TASKS

Staff Management

• Organize and direct staff on a daily basis to ensure seeding, planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvest and processing/packing deadlines are met.
• Work along side staff as needed to provide instruction and assist in completing tasks.
• Create, by example, a positive, co-operative and energetic work environment in which productivity and quality are emphasized.

Greenhouse Operations

• Assist in developing schedules for successive seedings/plantings of greenhouse crops and ensure that they are followed on a weekly and monthly basis.
• Monitor and manage weeding, irrigation and pest/disease control in a timely, pro-active manner.
• Oversee post-harvest handling of high-tunnel crops for market.
• Oversee management of soil fertility in high tunnels though composting and other inputs.
• Maintain careful records of all seeding, planting, harvesting and soil inputs.
• Participate in research into crop varieties and management practices for improved greenhouse production.

JOB DETAILS

DURATION: April 1st, 2018 This is a 7-month position (April through October) with the potential for additional work through the winter in packing and prepping for markets. Position is full-time for 7 months with potential for continued work in winter months

HOURS: Average 40-hour work week

WAGE: Starting wage from $18 to $20 per hour, depending on experience

BENEFITS: Access to extended health benefits plan after first 3 months, 15 paid vacation days, and access to farm produce, as seasonally available, for personal use.

FARM MANAGER

We are seeking a Field Crop Manager, who (with guidance and training) will gradually assume responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the farm. This will include organizing and directing employees, managing and tracking the many aspects of field crop production and marketing, and working alongside the farm crew in harvesting and packing as needed. This position is suited to someone with at least three full seasons of experience in vegetable production who is dedicated to organic methods and looking for an opportunity, through a well-established business, to make a viable living by providing good food to their local community.

DESIRED QUALITIES

Qualifications and Skills Required:

• At least three full seasons of experience working on a vegetable farm
• Preferably a post-secondary degree or diploma in an agriculture or horticulture-related program
• Competence in operating and maintaining farm tools and machinery
• Strong interpersonal and supervisory skills – Basic carpentry and mechanical skills/experience
• Knowledge of and experience with organic production methods and organic standards
• A positive, can-do attitude and a drive to work quickly and efficiently
• Consistently and reliably punctual

JOB TASKS

Staff Management:

• Assist in the recruitment and hiring of seasonal staff
• Organize and direct staff on a daily basis to ensure seeding, planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvest and processing/packing deadlines are met
• Work along side staff as needed to provide instruction and assist in completing tasks
• Create, by example, a positive, co-operative and energetic work environment in which productivity and quality are emphasized

Field Operations:

• Assist in developing schedules for successive seedings/plantings of field crops, and ensure that they are followed on a weekly and monthly basis
• Monitor and manage weeding, irrigation and pest/disease control in a timely, pro-active manner
• Develop weekly produce lists to provide targets for harvesting and packing of all crops
• Oversee all post-harvest handling of produce for market
• Oversee management of soil fertility though seeding of green manures and other inputs
• Maintain careful records of all planting, harvesting and crop/soil inputs
• Take responsibility for maintenance and repair of farm tools, equipment and facilities

Office/Marketing:

• Prepare weekly produce lists to provide targets for harvesting and packing of all crops for market
• Prepare weekly produce and price lists for publication in the farm newsletter
• Respond to e-mails, compile order lists, and ensure that orders are packed
• Maintain production records in accordance with organic certification requirements
• Attend weekly farmers markets on a regular basis

JOB DETAILS

START DATE: April 1st 2018, permanent, full-time position.

HOURS: Position is full-time, year-round with some flexibility in winter months. Average 40-hour work week

WAGE: Annual salary $42,000 to $52,000 to start, depending on experience

BENEFITS: Extended health benefits package, including medical, dental and visual coverage, 15 days paid vacation, and access to farm produce, as seasonally available, for personal use. We are also willing to negotiate inclusion of accommodation.

TO APPLY

Please email your resume and a detailed cover letter to:  Hermann@WildFlightFarm.ca

Describe your motivation to apply for this job and the specific skills/experience you have that match the work description.

*Please be sure to indicate which position you are applying for: Farm Manager or Greenhouse Manager in the subject line of your email.