YA Apprenticeship 2024: Brisco, BC – Patty’s Greenhouse

Posted by Marsha Shack on December 15, 2023

person holding giant parsnip
Are you an aspiring, young farmer interested in learning how to operate a commercial greenhouse using regenerative agriculture principles?
Patty’s Greenhouse could be the apprenticeship for you.
About the Farm

Patty’s Greenhouse is a family owned and operated in Brisco, BC. We grow a wide range of vegetables in a 5 acre garden at the base of the Columbia Wetlands.  We use both greenhouses, hoop houses, and vegetable gardens to provide year round produce through our delivery service to the Columbia valley (Golden and Invermere). With over 25 years of experience of farming using sustainable practices and organic fertilizers to grow our tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans and egg plants in the greenhouses, along with greens, and herbs grown hydroponically in the greenhouse.

About the Apprenticeship

The apprenticeship season runs from April until the end of September.  The spring consists of a variety of tasks including crop planning, preparing the beds, transplanting, seeding, and setting up irrigation systems.

Summer days fall into a rhythm of weeding, planting, bed prepping and transition, moving irrigation systems, harvesting, packaging and sorting vegetables for market sales. 

There is a small flock of chickens on site, so there will be an opportunity to learn about poultry health, management, predator control and access to fresh eggs daily.

Apprentices are expected to use their labor for the daily work of the farm as a major part of their learning experience. Apprentices will work in all aspects of farm production from soil preparation to harvesting, seeding to cultivation, and farm planning to marketing.

You’ll have the opportunity to gather with other apprentices across the Prairies who are part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship program. Field days, learning opportunities and potlucks will be planned with this group at each host’s farm.

large field with onion crops being harvested by hand

About the Farm Mentors

The apprentice will be working alongside a variety of folks.  Patty and Shawn Nickisch will be your main mentors.  Patty has a strong passion for farming and providing affordable vegetables to the Columbia valley. She has expertise on how to successfully farm in the Columbia Valley, and is eager to share this with an equally keen apprentice who wants to learn about farming. Patty and Shawn each have a deep interest in sustainable farming practices and are involved in the day to day operations of the farm.

 

Skills this farm has to teach

The following skills are being offered by this farm. While you’ll get exposure to many of these areas, apprentices will work to identify the skills they want to develop through a learning plan with the host farm.

Crop planning and rotationshand tool operation
market gardeningBIODIVERSITY OF FLORA & FAUNA
assessing soil healthCSA FARM MANAGEMENT
Sustainable agriculture practicesHydroponic growing
irrigation set-up/usecompost making/processing
greenhouse managementYear round greenS growing & sales
no-till vegetable growingretail picking, packaging & sales
boxes of vegetables ready for retail delivery
Skills Required of the Apprentice

Adaptability and flexibility, along with significant interest in learning about market gardening and a desire to start your own farm are key skills for a successful apprenticeship.  Previous experience growing vegetables is considered an asset.   

The ability to do physical labour on a day-to-day basis is essential, being physically fit and able to lift weight in the range of 30 to 80 pounds is vital.  This role also requires the ability to work long days and early mornings.

Being able to comfortably make decisions, execute tasks, and work with minimal supervision in a diverse and dynamic working environment.  After training and onboarding, the ability to work quickly, efficiently and calmly in physically challenging contexts for long hours in variable weather is essential to enjoying work on the farm.  

As we are somewhat remote, it is necessary to have your own transportation.

greenhouse

Housing, Stipend and Duration

There is an RV on the property that will be available for our apprentice to have space to themselves.  The RV is equipped with a bathroom, shower, stove, sink and bed.

Shared amenities in the main house include a kitchen bathroom with a shower, washing machine and clothes line.  There is internet at the main house.

We don’t provide meals, but will sell produce from the farm at discount, or damaged/ugly vegetables for free. 

Apprentices will be paid an hourly wage and will need to pay for food separately.  Housing is included at no charge.  Pay is $18.00 hour, FTE (40 hrs/week); weekends off.

The ideal length of apprenticeship is April to the end of September.

river water flowing

About the Community

Patty’s Greenhouse is located on the traditional territory of Ktunaxa (pronounced ‘k-too-nah-ha’) people who live on the lands adjacent to the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers. 

Brisco is one hour away from both Golden and Invermere, BC.  The farm is located in the Columbia wetlands, so there are lots of hiking trails and lakes nearby.  We are close to the major national parks (Banff, Kootenay, Lake Louise) and the Bugaboos Provincial Park.  

Be sure to check out Patty’s Greenhouse on their socials @PattysGreenhouseAndMarketGarden and the web!

More Details about this Apprenticeship and How to Apply 

Deadline to apply January 31, 2024.

Interested in an Apprenticeship but this isn’t quite the right one? Check out other Young Agrarians Prairie Apprenticeships being offered in 2024 here.