FARM JOBS: SMITHERS, BC – High Slope Acres, Multiple Positions

High Slope Acres in Smithers, BC is seeking a Farm Helper or Assistant Field Manager &  volunteers for the 2021 season!

ABOUT High Slope Acres

Mountains, lakes, and a cultural community all close by this 80 acre shared property. It is located in the Bulkley Valley, overlooking both Telkwa and Smithers in Northern British Columbia. There are fields and forest to enjoy. The neighbors keep bees and other neighbors keep horses on the property some years. There are chickens and family pets to tend to. There are a couple dozen apple trees, domesticated Saskatoon bushes, and a couple hundred feet of raspberries. The 3.5 ish acre garden supplies mixed veggies for the farm stand, to the local farmers markets, to restaurants and fishing camps, and uses them for its cater and food truck concessions (not 2021 however). While we grow dozens of products we try to focus on 5 or 6. Top products are garlic, squash, and eggs, and in recent years we have been focusing on cut flowers – both by the stem to Northern florists, and to make our own unique bouquets for sale locally. We have an informal ‘pickling cucumber coop’, and we host ‘cut flower workshops/farm tours’ and our annual Harvest Party (where customers enjoy music and food and pick up their fall/winter harvest box). Covid has changed things, but we have adapted. Dependent on public health guidelines for summer 2021, our protocols will allow us to receive visitors, employees, WWOOFers, community members, and neighbours to enjoy the farm and help with local food security.   Farm projects 2021 include finishing the ground/air heat transfer (GAHT) system in the new greenhouse, sauna, new farms stand, flower cooler…. essentially, along with lots of gardening…there is a lot of building!
Our employees and wwoofers get the opportunity to learn about the small scale intensive agriculture approach to farming, as well as develop or practice a wide variety of hands on skills. A great and unique experience. We look forward to hearing from you.

High Slope Acres supplies is not certified organic but does not use any synthetic chemicals of any kind.   Instead, we rely on hard work, WWOOFers, compost, crop rotation, quality seeds, (and luck) and a great community to produce great produce.

Farm Helper or Assistant Field Manager: 

1. 1. May to October.  4 day, 32 hours/week.  Some flexibility depending on the season. 
   2. Wage:
      1. Position:  Farm Helper (entry level):  $16/hour.
      2. Position:  Assistant Field Manager:  $18 – $20/hour depending on experience. 
   3. Duties:
      1. Field: preparing garden bed (till, lay drip tape, planting); garden maintenance (weeding, pruning, fencing, rock picking, garlic scaping, weed whacking and mowing); harvesting (cutting, hydro cooling, packaging), curing/processing crops for winter storage (garlic, squash, onions); chicken duties (feed, water, wash/package eggs, clean coop);
      2. Events and sales: food prep, set up, pack orders, customer service (‘Cut Flower Workshop/Farm Tours’, annual Harvest Party, every 3^rd weekend at farmers market).
      3. Building projects 2021:  help finish greenhouse ground air heat transfer (GAHT) system, help build flower cooler unit, farm stand, and raised beds around barn and house areas. 
      4. Assistant Field Manager: more independent work plan with higher level of responsibility and flexibility in day to day duties, based on their interests and skills.
   4. Required skills/qualities: 
      1. Farm helper:  some volunteer or paid agriculture experience and interest in learning about food or flower production.   
      2. Assistant field manager:  minimum 2 seasons on market garden operation OR one season carpentry experience required. 
      3. Positive attitude and good communication skills.
      4. Some knowledge of building, interest in learning about carpentry. 
      5. Basic first aid training and safety oriented.
      6. Ability to take initiative (able to see something that needs to be done or improved, and go to it), work independently or as part of a team.
      7. Carpentry and farm work is physically demanding.  Applicants must be in reasonable health, not afraid of hard work at a fast pace, willing to work in all weather conditions.
   5. Application process
      1. Send cover letter and resume by email to highslopeacres@gmail.com
      2. Application deadline:  April 2, 2021.
      3. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.
      4. Successful applicant will be notified by April 9 (and May start date negotiated). 
   6. Accommodations: Out of town applicants are welcome to apply and if successful will be offered the on farm (rustic/basic) cabin.

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (wwoof) 2021:

1. On farm / out of town wwoofers:

1. 1. 1. Due to Covid, only accepting longer term (on farm) wwoofers for 2021. 
      2. 2 week quarantine upon arrival (accommodation provided).  Food not provided but may use cook shack and outdoor gear (bikes, canoes, etc.) during this time.  (We live in an area where you can still have amazing daily adventures without interacting with others!)
      3. Minimum 2 month commitment, preference given to those wanting to stay for longer.   
      4. We can host 2 singles, or one single and one couple, at one time.      
      5. 25 hour work week in exchange for: on farm accommodations, all meals on workdays, access to farm products and a common pantry on non work days.  Also access to basic recreation gear (canoe, bike) and some musical instruments (guitar, piano, drums). 
      6. Wwoofing accommodations are rustic, basic, and summer only.
      7. End of season honorarium (cash or farm credit should wwoofers stay in the Bulkely Valley) if wwoofers commit to, and complete, the full season. 

1. Local wwoofers:  High Slope Acres has always tried to connect the community with the farm.  If you are interested in helping as a volunteer or in exchange for farm credit on a regular basis please contact us to discuss options. 
2. Duties:  work with High Slope Acres staff on all projects and parts of the farm as needed; some independent projects (such as improvements to wwoofing accommodations (e.g. painting), property mapping, posters/signs, computer work) based on interest and skills; on farm wwoofers will also prepare some meals.
3. Please note:  High Slope Acres enjoys sharing experiences and helping others develop new skills and knowledge and wwoofing is primarily a learning opportunity (both ways).  There are fewer expectations of wwoofers than paid staff…but volunteers still require time and energy to manage, and therefore it is expected that wwoofers try their best, and contribute so they are a useful part of the team.  Covid has changed the flexible nature of wwoofing, therefore there will be a couple phone or video conversations to make sure it is a good fit between High Slope Acres and potential wwoofers.

When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org

Learn More About High Slope Acres

Facebook: Flowers by High Slope Acres

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