Are you a young, aspiring farmer interested in learning about different sales streams for over 100 vegetable varieties? Terra Nostra Farm may be the apprenticeship for you!
ABOUT TERRA NOSTRA FARM
Terra Nostra Farm is a small scale organic farm situated in Powell River, BC, at the top of the Sunshine Coast. This 14 acre farm has about 3 acres of intensive vegetable production, a 6,000 sq. ft. greenhouse, and lots of room for expansion and new ideas!
Terra Nostra farm is committed to revolutionizing the local food industry, and all our produce proudly stays within our community. Every season we support local shops, markets and restaurants, while growing our farm store and home delivered CSA.
Terra Nostra farm’s innovative growing approaches aim to maintain and improve the health of the soil, resulting in high quality produce. We are experimenting with no-till growing and we have recently purchased a no-till seed drill along with a roller-crimper. Although we use a 33 hp tractor to rototill and flip beds, most of our cultivation and harvest is done by hand and follows the Market Gardener Method designed by JM Fortier.
About the apprenticeship:
As an apprentice at Terra Nostra farm you will be a part of a large and dynamic team of farmers dedicated to putting in the hard work it takes to produce healthy, organic and beautiful vegetables. For the past decade we have been growing over 100+ different vegetable varieties! Terra Nostra believes in growing good food, but also in growing good farmers. Management and staff collaborate to find solutions to daily problems, improve growing systems, and develop creative marketing strategies throughout the season.
About the farm mentor:
Aaron Mazurek, owner and founder, has studied with JM Fortier, Curtis Stone, John Navazio, and Ben Hartman. He collaborates with the qRD Agricultural Advisory Committee, sits on the Farmers’ Agricultural Institute board, on the Central Farmer’s Market Committee, and is a Certified Organic Inspector. Aaron’s hobby and pastime when not on the farm, is to research new growing techniques and constantly educate himself on the latest organic farming approaches. He owns many educational resources, including a lending library of 100+ farming books. He is passionate about growing more farmers, and in fact, several of Terra Nostra’s farm hands have moved on to start their own farms!
Skills this farm has to teach:
| Crop planning and rotations | hand tool operation |
|---|---|
| Pivoting farming models | NO Till Methods |
| assessing soil health | Profitable farm business practices |
| Sustainable agriculture practices | Retail and restaurant sales |
| irrigation set-up/use | compost making/processing |
| greenhouse management | Multi-variety vegetable production |
| crop storage and preservation | Team work & Organizational skills |
Housing, Wage, and Duration
- Apprentices start at $17.40/hr and there are regular increases as skills increase
- We have various housing options available on the farm to meet most budgets
- All staff have access to the food we grow by way seconds (the ugly veggies)
About the Community and Land
The farm is situated a few minutes South of Powell River and just minutes from the ocean, lakes, and mountain wilderness. Recreational opportunities are endless, especially for outdoor lovers. On weekends our team enjoys kayaking, backcountry trekking, rock climbing, mountain biking, diving, camping, canoeing, paddle boarding, team sports, art, drama, music concerts, live shows, and more!
More Details about this Apprenticeship and How to Apply
Application Due: January 31, 2025
Interested in an Apprenticeship but this isn’t quite the right one? Check out other Young Agrarians Apprenticeships being offered in 2025 here.