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Are you an aspiring ecological farmer who wants hands on experience working the land and living in community? Woody Nook Gardens in Lacombe County, Alberta might be the place for you!
About the Farm
Woody Nook Gardens is located on treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting ground for many Indigenous peoples, including Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Dene, Nakota Sioux, and Métis.
This vibrant market garden produces a diverse mix of veggies and flowers for local markets. They specialize in potatoes, root crops, and brassicas, utilizing natural, organic, and soil building principles.
They sell at the Lacombe and Lakedell farmers markets, as well as an on farm store, and several wholesale customers.
Weed control is done without herbicide sprays, so you can expect to spend lots of time getting up close and personal with the weeds. While the tasks can be demanding, the payoff comes mid-summer when the gardens are flourishing and abundant.
The team loves the lifestyle and flexibility, and they take pride in providing nourishing produce to the community.
There is a strong emphasis on soil health and on understanding crop profitability to ensure sustainability of the business.
Website: https://woodynookgardens.com/
Facebook: @woodynookgardens
Instagram: @woodynookgardens
Our Workplace Culture
Day-to-day operations are led mainly by David, with Emily contributing when she is able. In past seasons, students have joined the team part-time during the summer. The workplace environment is familial, relaxed, and welcoming. Breaks are often shared at the farmhouse table, and the team values a sense of fun and camaraderie even during busy periods.
About the Farmers
David grew up on a dairy farm and always appreciated rural living. After finishing school and getting married, he and Emily returned to Lacombe during the COVID years. Market gardening presented an accessible path to farming without significant capital investment. They rented land from family and were able to get established in a couple of markets. Each year they keep on growing little by little.
Outside of farming, David and Emily enjoy playing board games, cross country skiing, hiking and camping.
About the Apprenticeship
Most mornings will be spent harvesting produce for wholesale orders and markets followed by washing, weighing, and packaging.
Afternoons are generally spent weeding, seeding, transplanting, seeding, and mowing.
Once the critical farm tasks are done for the week, we have time to work on infrastructure or machinery projects. Current projects include building a greenhouse, repairing a tractor, and possibly building a new cooler space.
Other tasks will include farm store stocking, record keeping, and selling at farmer markets
The apprenticeship will be partially apprentice driven, so learning opportunities can be tailored to individual interests. David participated in the Business Mentorship program, and would be happy to share what he learned. Topics could include business development, record keeping, building great spreadsheets, crop planning, and marketing plans.
You will have access to garden produce for your own use and an assortment of books to borrow.
The ideal duration of employment would be end of May to end of September, but it could be flexible for the right candidate.
Apprentices are willing to learn these skills:
- Techniques to minimize tillage
- Techniques to encourage plant diversity
- Techniques to maintain living roots in the soil
- Crop planning & rotations
- Working in a zero/low-till system
- Setting up irrigation
- Identifying beneficial insects vs harmful pests
- Techniques for managing fertility
- Implementing weed control strategies
- Assessing crop health
- Harvesting crops
- Seed-saving
- Crop storage & preservation
- Getting harvest to market
- Truck & tractor troubleshooting & maintenance
- Oil Changes
- Trailer back-up
- Annual budgeting & planning
- Record-keeping & basic bookkeeping
Compensation
The starting wage is $15/hour, with a possibility of a higher wage based on experience.
About the Community
Woody Nook Gardens is conveniently located:
5 minutes from Blackfalds
15 minutes from Lacombe or Sylvan Lake
15 minutes from the north end of Red Deer
Accommodation
Accommodations: Not available
Other information: On-farm accommodation is not available but Red Deer, Blackfalds, Lacombe, and Sylvan Lake are all within easy commuting distance.
We look forward to seeing you!