YA Apprenticeship 2024: W̱SÁNEĆ territory (Saanich)- The Plot Market Garden

Are you a young, aspiring regenerative farmer looking for experience with a mixed vegetable CSA and market garden?

The Plot Market Garden might be the place for you!

About the Farm

The Plot is a 2-acre mixed vegetable farm that has been in operation for 6 years and is located on two different parcels on W̱SÁNEĆ territory (Saanich). About 3/4 – 1 acre is on our home farm where we, Emily & Tyler the farm owners live, another acre is leased land, just 5 minutes drive away from our home farm. 

We started farming regeneratively in Saanich on the property where Emily grew up after taking a permaculture course and growing vegetables on our balconies in England. When we moved back to Emily’s family property from England in 2017, we began prepping a 1/4 acre of land that was un-utilized and consisted predominantly of Himalayan farms that have grown to what it is today. 

Our main goal is to be a main producer of greens to Southern Vancouver Island year-round, on top of growing a diversity of crops for our CSA and farm stand. We strive to grow quality produce in a regenerative way that sustains both ourselves and the land for the long-term. We produce a variety of mixed vegetables with a strong focus on greens (lettuce, mustards, spinach, arugula, kale, tatsoi), but also herbs, root vegetables, peas, beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and more.

About the Apprenticeship

The apprenticeship season runs from April to October. In early spring we are direct seeding greens, planting tomato starts, occasionally building greenhouses, fixing fences and maintenance, cleaning, and gearing up for the year. By the end of April, we have begun harvesting and selling, and do lots of bed prep to prepare for the season ahead in addition to the weekly chores. 

By June and into summer, we are extremely busy planting, harvesting, washing and packing, cultivating and weeding, and doing 2-3 delivery days per week. Things don’t start to slow down until late October, and we sell into December – aiming for longer into the winter and earlier into spring each year. It is important to note we spend almost equal time on the wash, pack, and deliver as we do in the field. Once we’re in the swing of things around May, we start our mornings at 7:30/8am with a team meeting (we expect 3-4 of us full time). Depending on the day of the week, we start with a harvest using harvest knives and the Quick cut greens harvester, followed by washing and packing, which usually takes two full days out of the week. Other days we do field work – seeding, transplanting, weeding and cultivating with a variety of hand tools like precision hoes, Jang seeders, Horis weeding tools, bed prepping with a tilther, wheelbarrowing compost, and more. We always check in with each other and have a break during lunch in the house where we do Wordle for fun. We typically end our days around 3/4pm. Some days are busy and may go later, others may end earlier, especially depending on the season and the day of the week as packing orders takes time.

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

About the Farm Mentors

You’ll be working alongside a variety of folk at The Plot.  Your main mentor will be Tyler, who is one half of the farm ownership team.  His main responsibilities are in the field, including determining what crops need to be planted and when, what beds need to be prepped and flipped, what needs to be harvested, cultivated, and weeded, and more. You’ll also be learning from the farm manager who will be giving instructions in the wash/pack room on what orders need to be packed for delivery.

The Plot is located on Emily’s family property which is also home to her parents, Grandma, Uncle, and a roommate.  We are a young couple who met in England and have a passion for small-scale regenerative farming as well as foraging, surfing, playing guitar and singing, and card games.

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, it is likely that not all will be covered. Apprentices will work to identify the skills they want to develop through a learning plan with the host farm.

Skills Required of the Apprentice

With some prior discussion, we are able to host the mentee in our shared house where you’ll have their own small bedroom, shared bathroom and shared kitchen.  There is access to the internet (a bit weak in the bedroom available), library and laundry facilities. It is a three-generation household in which we have our own space, however family is often passing through, so you’ll also be developing a relationship with them.  

Meals are to be determined during the interviews and the farm visits.  Apprentices will have access to veggies grown on the farm.

No furry friends, as there is a puppy already calling the farm home.

Apprentices will be paid an hourly wage and will need to pay for housing and food separately. Pay will be $18.00-$20.00/hour, FTE (40 hrs/week); weekends off.

The ideal length of apprenticeship is April to October.

Housing, Stipend and Duration

With some prior discussion, we are able to host the mentee in our shared house where you’ll have their own small bedroom, shared bathroom and shared kitchen.  There is access to the internet (a bit weak in the bedroom available), library and laundry facilities. It is a three-generation household in which we have our own space, however family is often passing through, so you’ll also be developing a relationship with them.  

Meals are to be determined during the interviews and the farm visits.  Apprentices will have access to veggies grown on the farm.

No furry friends, as there is a puppy already calling the farm home.

Apprentices will be paid an hourly wage and will need to pay for housing and food separately. Pay will be $18.00-$20.00/hour, FTE (40 hrs/week); weekends off.

The ideal length of apprenticeship is April to October.

About the Community

The Plot Market Garden is located on the traditional territory of the SENĆOŦEN speaking W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples.

Located in Saanich, we are about 20 minutes drive from both Victoria and Sidney. Within 10 minutes drive, there are amazing lakes, great vineyards, a brewery, coffee shops, and more.

Check out The Plot Market Garden on their socials @theplotmarketgarden & the web

More Details about this Apprenticeship and How to Apply 

Applications open: December 14, 2023
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.