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Are you an aspiring ecological farmer who wants hands-on experience on a regenerative, certified organic mixed livestock farm? Whiskey Creek Ranch in Rose Prairie, BC, might be the place for you!
About the Farm
Whiskey Creek Ranch stewards land in the traditional territories of the Dunne-Za peoples, in the North Peace region of BC.
Whiskey Creek Ranch is a mixed livestock farm raising beef cattle, pigs, hens, bees, and other specialty farm products in an organic, sustainable, and regenerative way for their community. The North Peace region offers a unique farming environment – situated on the east side of the Rockies, the area has a short growing season (2a/2b), but its long daylight hours help maximize growing potential.
Whiskey Creek Ranch produces grass-fed and grass-finished beef, pasture-raised pork, free-range pasture-raised eggs, raw naturally filtered honey, garlic, and a variety of other agri-food products such as bone broth and niche canned goods. The ranch sells its products directly to customers, attending one to two markets per week during the busy season and select markets throughout the rest of the year.
Whiskey Creek Ranch holds a Farmgate Plus license, is A Greener World Animal Welfare Approved, and is certified organic. The farm also includes a Northern Health approved commercial kitchen and a vegetable wash-pack station to support the production of value-added goods.
Whiskey Creek Ranch is certified organic and practices what’s referred to as regenerative agriculture. For them, that means working in a deep relationship with the land — protecting soil and water, raising animals with care, and managing the farm holistically to ensure its health and productivity for future generations. They implement many best management practices including those that focus on soil and crop health (for example: livestock integration, rotational grazing and cover cropping), water management and protection (such as riparian area protections and rainwater collection), and improving biodiversity.
Website: whiskeycreekranch.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/whiskeycreekranchroseprairie
The apprentice at Whiskey Creek Ranch will also have the opportunity to work at a second farm, Willow Lane Market Garden. Located 45 minutes away on 160 acres, Willow Lane grows produce free of chemicals, sprays, pesticides, and synthetic inputs, both in-ground and in greenhouses.
Workplace Culture
An apprentice would be an integral part of the farm— a valued contributor alongside Gaston and Michelle, and their other employees, throughout the farm season.
About the Farmers
Gaston (Gas) and Michelle Schaeffer are first-generation farmers who moved to the North Peace in 2007, where they now raise their three children—Mikayla, Heidi, and Declan. After purchasing their farm in 2008, they began producing food for their community in 2015. What started as a small vegetable CSA soon expanded to include pork, beef, honey, eggs, and a range of value-added products. Alongside their farming, Michelle works as a Professional Agrologist and Gas as a Reclamation Professional, both proud soil and vegetation geeks.
Dan and Nikki Crocker, along with their children Hunter and Annabelle, are first-generation market gardeners, graduates of the Jean-Martin Fortier market gardener method. Over the past several years, Willow Lane Market Garden has become an anchor to many local markets during the season, offering beautiful and chemical-free vegetables to their community.
Both Whiskey Creek Ranch and Willow Land Market Garden are members of, and regularly attend, the Fort St. John (FSJ) Farmers’ Institute and Peace Region Farmers’ Institute markets. Nikki is the Market Manager for the FSJ Farmers’ Market and Michelle is the Food Hub Coordinator for the Peace Region Farmers’ Institute. Both farms are also involved in several other local and provincial initiatives around local, healthy food.
About the Apprenticeship
Weeks at Whiskey Creek Ranch begin with a casual safety meeting in the main house around 8 a.m., followed by an overview of the plans for the week ahead. As the apprentice moves through the farm to check the brooder and feed and water the livestock, they naturally take stock of fence conditions, animal health, the “feel” of the season, and the day’s weather. After morning chores, they may shift to moving cattle, poultry, or hogs, or head into the commercial kitchen to support local food security by producing value-added goods, packing customer orders, preparing for market, cutting or raking hay, or learning a new skill. Most days include a shared, often farm-sourced lunch—an opportunity to pause, cook together, and connect.
Farming follows seasonal rhythms rather than traditional business hours, and Whiskey Creek Ranch offers a varied schedule so the apprentice can experience the full scope of regenerative livestock farming. Together with the farmers, the apprentice creates a schedule that fits these rhythms; for example, they may work 8 a.m.–4 p.m. for a period of time, then shift to 2 p.m.–10 p.m. when the work requires it.
At Willow Lane, days may begin with harvesting for an upcoming market, bumping up seedlings, weeding, or installing irrigation for a new bed. The apprentice will also contribute to expanding farm infrastructure—greenhouse construction, fencing, and more—as the operation continues to grow.
The ideal duration of employment is May 15 – September 30, 2026.
The job requirements are:
- Valid driver’s licence
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Comfortable in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment
- Able to adapt quickly to changing priorities and tasks
- Flexible and willing to adjust work strategies to meet team needs
- Physically fit; able to lift and carry 25–50 lbs repeatedly
- Able to stand for extended periods and perform frequent bending and twisting motions
- Willing to work flexible and occasionally long hours
- Comfortable working around and safely handling large livestock (cattle and pigs)
- Enjoy working outdoors in all weather conditions
- Interest in mixed vegetable production, meat processing, and assisting in a commercial kitchen producing value-added goods
Apprentices are willing to learn these skills:
- Observing biodiversity
- Techniques to maintain living roots in the soil
- Safety around animals
- Feeding & watering livestock
- Moving animals in a field
- Handling Animals
- Seeding & transplanting
- Harvesting crops
- Getting harvest to market
- Truck & tractor basic operation
Compensation
$18/hour (30-35 hours per week) + all workday lunches
Preference may be given to applicants 30-years old or under due to eligibility for Canada Summer Jobs and Youth Employment and Skills Program funding.
About the Community
Rose Prairie (Whiskey Creek Ranch) and Cecil Lake (Willow Lane Market Garden) are small, unincorporated rural communities in the North Peace. Both unofficial centers include a post office, community hall, elementary school (K–8), and a church.
The nearest larger city, Fort St. John—known as the “Energetic City” and celebrated as a livable winter city offers a full range of urban amenities, including shopping, a pool, an indoor walk/run track, multiple ice surfaces for winter sports, trails, markets, community forests, a college, an art gallery, a cultural centre, and a library. Situated along the world-famous Alaska Highway and near a UNESCO Global Geopark, the region also provides excellent hiking, fishing, and easy access to the Liard River Hot Springs.
Both locations are located approximately 30 km (30-min drive) from Fort St. John. Fort St John is 45 minutes from Dawson Creek, BC (mile 0 of the world famous Alaska Highway), and 2.5 hours from the larger city of Grande Prairie, AB.
Accommodation
Accommodations: yes
Accommodation details: There is the option to sublet a room from a second house on the property at Whiskey Creek Ranch, where a private bathroom, shared kitchen and laundry are available. Free housing is available while working at Willow Lane Market Garden.
Accommodations shared with other employees/apprentices: no
Access to a full bathroom with running water: yes
Type of dwelling: Four seasons
Accommodation checklist:
- Furnished
- Clean
- Running water (potable)
- Private bathroom
- Shower
- Bath
- Shared Laundry
- Shared kitchen
- Heating
- Electricity
Pets permitted: no
Guests permitted: yes
Rent: $600/month
Accommodation Agreement: yes
Whiskey Creek Ranch and Willow Lane Market Garden look forward to seeing you!
