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Are you an aspiring ecological farmer and market gardener who wants hands-on experience working the land and living in community? Lost Farm in Smithers, BC, might be the place for you!
About the Farm
Lost Farm is located on the unceded traditional territories of the Wet’suwet’en people, in Smithers, BC.
Lost Farm is a small market garden nestled in the remote wilderness of Northern BC. After several years farming on leased land in the Bulkley Valley, David and Bethany Slaman settled here in 2023 and began the ongoing work of establishing the farm. They now cultivate roughly one acre on a 70-acre property surrounded by forest, ridges, valleys, mountains, and rivers.
David and Bethany believe that intensive, sustainable food production is one of the best things they can do for themselves, their communities, and the planet, and work to make a meaningful positive impact wherever possible.
Three small farm businesses share this farm. Quality Harvests specializes in diverse, intensive vegetable production, while Wild West Herb Co. focuses on culinary and medicinal herbs, both fresh and dried. Feed the North is a non-profit online food hub offering farm to door delivery partnering with a multitude of local producers.
Lost Farm is located in a beautiful and remote setting outside a special and fantastic small community. David and Bethany are first generation farmers on the land and are gradually establishing many enterprises there – each connected and yet unique.
The farm follows organic practices and regenerative principles with an agroecological perspective, minimizing tillage and striving for a closed-loop system.
Website: www.feedthenorth.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/QualityHarvests
Instagram: www.instagram.com/quality.harvests
Workplace Culture
In 2024, Lost Farm had 2 full-time employees, 1 part-time employee, and a few occasional volunteers. In 2025, they had 2 full-time apprentices from Young Agrarians. David and Bethany strive to be considerate, flexible, and understanding of individuals and their needs while also striving to work hard in a responsible, safe, and committed way.
About the Farmers
David grew up in the suburbs but spent summers learning farming from family mentors. His love of travel and philosophy led him to work on farms worldwide—from orchards in BC and New Zealand to rice fields in Nepal and pearl farms in Australia. Witnessing gaps in global food systems inspired him to pursue remote, sustainable market farming that aligns with his values and love of working the land.
Bethany is an accomplished herb grower whose background in psychology and social work sparked her interest in how hands-on work in natural spaces supports well-being. From backyard gardens to off-grid learning in healing and self-sufficiency, she moved into homesteading and market farming. Specializing in herb production, she grows everything from culinary staples to medicinal and unique varieties like ashwagandha and stevia.
About the Apprenticeship
Apprentices at this small, close-knit farm are involved in all aspects of farm work. The crew starts the work day between 8 and 9 am, meet, discuss the plan for the day, and begin with the most urgent tasks or those that are most important to do in the morning. After a few hours they break for lunch, and then catch up on other tasks in the afternoon.
The season begins with seeding, bed preparation, irrigation setup, and planting in the spring, before moving into maintenance and harvesting. Summer brings long, intense days, balanced with opportunities to develop infrastructure, start new projects, or enjoy swimming in rivers and climbing nearby mountains. By September, the first frost arrives and final plantings are completed, with October focused on wrapping up the season. November slows down, allowing time for drying and processing herbs and completing end-of-season tasks.
The ideal duration of employment is April 1 – October 31, 2026.
The job requirements are:
- Interested in providing healthy food to local communities
- Excited about working with nature and farming with ecological practices
- Comfortable with physical work and repetitive tasks
- A creative thinker and problem-solver
- Able to work independently without supervision
- Comfortable working outside in all weather conditions
Apprentices are willing to learn these skills:
- Observing biodiversity
- Assessing soil health in the field
- Greenhouse management
- Working in a zero/low-till system
- Seeding & transplanting
- Setting up irrigation
- Harvesting crops, Getting harvest to market
- Compost making & application
- Hand tools operation, Carpentry basic, Power tools operation
- Networking with new people, Sharing talents & skills with community
- Marketing & packaging
- Customer service
Compensation
The wage will be $18.50/hour for 35-40 hours per week.
Due to wage-subsidy funding, applicants aged 30 or under may be given preference, though this is not required for the right candidate.
About the Community
Smithers, located in the Bulkley Valley, is about as good as it gets. While major cities are far away, the town provides essentials such as a movie theatre, bowling alley, and two breweries. Surrounded by dramatic seasons, abundant wildlife, rivers teeming with fish, and inviting mountains, the area offers a true northern wilderness experience. The farm sits just outside town on a quiet dirt road, immersing residents in the peaceful rhythms of rural BC, with farm animals, nature’s pace, and nearby trails, lakes, rivers, and mountains. For social outings or amenities, Smithers is always within easy reach.
The town of Smithers is a leisurely 25 minute drive. The next largest city is Terrace, approximately 2 hours away. Smithers and Terrace both have airports.
Accommodation
Accommodations: yes
Accommodation details:
There are private and shared spaces. Apprentices will not have to share a room, but they may share some common areas. For example, in 2025 two apprentices shared a kitchen, bathroom, and communal living room space but they both slept under different roofs. Spaces can be flexible depending on how the apprentices wish to set them up.
Accommodations shared with other employees/apprentices: yes
Access to a full bathroom with running water: yes
Type of dwelling: Single season
Accommodation checklist:
- Furnished
- Clean
- Running water (potable)
- Shared bathroom
- Shower
- Shared Laundry
- Heating
- Electricity
Pets permitted: maybe
Guests permitted: maybe
Rent: Approximately $500/month, with some flexibility – this depends on arrangements and/or infrastructure developed over the winter.
Accommodation Agreement: yes
Lost Farm looks forward to seeing you!
