ORGANIC MIXED VEGETABLE FARM FIELD CREW (with optional Lead Roles for those with experience)

Rootdown Farm in beautiful Pemberton, BC is hiring for our 2024 Field Crew!

Positions: Organic Farm Field Crew (& optional leadership roles, see below)
Farm: Rootdown Organic Farm

Location: Pemberton, BC
Housing: Basic staff housing may be available for full season folks. Let us know in your application if you are interested in learning more.

Positions Available:
2 Full Time (35-45 hrs/ week), Full Season positions available. May 1-October 31, ideally, although there is some flexibility on those dates.

Wage: $20-$23/hr Depending on mixed vegetable farming experience.

About Rootdown Organic Farm:

Rootdown is a certified organic mixed vegetable farm in the Pemberton Valley, and has been growing food and feeding the local communities of Pemberton and Whistler since 2009! Currently Rootdown is co-managed by owner/operator Simone, and assistant manager Ariella, along with Simone's husband, TJ (special projects, seed garlic, and deliveries). We are joined each season by a small but mighty team of 4-6 full and part time folks who help us to bring the vision of healthy food for our community to life. We work hard and love what we do. We are a small scale, human powered farm, and do many things by hand. We also employ the help of 2 small tractors, and are beginning to venture into the world of small scale mechanical weeding. We cultivate about 5-6 acres of veggies, growing upwards of 30+ types of veggies each season, and we sell our produce through a Community Supported Agriculture Harvest Box program, as well as to restaurants and grocery stores in Pemberton and Whistler.

Job Description:

The work at Rootdown varies widely over the season. We are a small enough farm that we all get to do many various tasks throughout the days and over the whole season. Team members may be given certain "areas of focus" based on their prior experience, their preferences, and the farm's needs. However all positions will include the following:

• Transplanting and weeding vegetable field crops
• Harvesting a variety of vegetable field crops
• Repetitive work of some kind, at some times (i.e. bagging produce for orders, harvesting large volumes of one crop, weeding)

All positions will also include some of the following tasks, depending on prior experience, the farm's needs, and staff preferences and strengths:

• Tray and field seeding a variety of vegetable crops
• Watering and managing seedlings
• Using a wide variety of tractors/implements/power tools (with prior experience and/or proper training)
• Pruning and trellising crops in the greenhouse and high tunnels
• Applying organic fertiliser including compost to the field or greenhouses
• Assisting with irrigation set up, take down, and operation
• Washing and packing a variety of vegetable crops for orders
• Basic farm construction
• And much more!

There is the opportunity to take on more responsibility or take on a lead role for folks who are interested and who have prior mixed vegetable farming experience (please mention if this is the case in your application).  We also love when folks come back for multiple seasons, and there is opportunity for staff to grow into lead roles as they gain experience. Unless folks have specific prior mixed vegetable farming experience (1 full season minimum), it likely won't be appropriate for you to be in a full-on Lead Role in year one (i.e. if this is your first season of mixed veg farming, we'll focus on helping you to build your toolkit of farm skills). But we do our best to work with staff so that they feel fulfilled and can keep learning on the job (the opportunities for learning in farming are endless!), and give autonomy/responsibility where desired and appropriate.

A Few Things About Working at Rootdown:

• Our seasonal staff are integral to our business, and we truly appreciate them!
• We value an inclusive and respectful work environment for all. Disrespectful conduct towards other team members will not be tolerated.
• We work in all weather - rain, shine, heat, mud, and bugs.
• We welcome a diversity of folks from a variety of backgrounds to apply.
• Farm experience is not necessary, but it is an asset. Experience in industries such as food service/kitchens, bakeries, treeplanting, or landscaping is also an asset.
• Rootdown is a fast paced, production focused farm - we get stuff done!

Who We Are Looking to Hire:

Regardless of experience, we are looking for individuals who:

• Are hard working, kind, and committed to a drama free workplace
• Value and practice good communication between themselves and managers and coworkers, including giving and receiving constructive feedback well
• Value working in a field (pun intended!) that contributes positively to the local community and the world at large - we believe small scale, sustainable farming is the future!
• Have experience with work in fast paced industries such as mixed vegetable farms, kitchens, food service, landscaping, or tree planting (this is an asset, but not required)
• Have a healthy body, and can repeatedly lift 30-40 lbs
• Practice good self care especially in challenging working conditions (i.e. getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, bringing snacks!), so that they can finish the tasks at hand while feeling good!
• Come to work on time and with appropriate gear (i.e. sturdy footwear, gumboots for wet weather, waterproof gear, sunhat, kneepads, etc.)
• Have the desire to learn new skills and improve and get faster (and faster) at them with practice
• Are self motivated - can hustle when needed to meet deadlines and complete tasks without constant supervision
• Can work independently or as part of a team to complete task lists and meet common goals
• Have a reliable form of transportation to/from work (a vehicle, or a healthy appetite for bike commuting!)
• May be interested in multiple seasons with Rootdown, with the option to grow and take on more responsibility if desired in subsequent seasons
• Are legally able to work in Canada or who have plans to independantly obtain a working Visa before May 1st at the time of application.

Compensation/Housing:

• The initial starting wage is $20-$23/hr for all positions, depending on experience. Raises may be possible for staff who show exemplary performance, or those who return for future seasons.
• End-of-Season Bonus for $0.25/hr worked will also be paid out to staff who stay until the end of their agreed upon job contract. This is paid out on your last paycheque.
• Basic staff housing may be available. This housing would be quite basic, with simple kitchen facilities, but is safe and comfortable.
• Access to LOADS of free veggies! There is always abundant surplus of veggies available for staff for personal consumption, so if you like cooking/eating, this is a major perk!

How to Apply:

Interested folks should send their application to Ariella at admin@rootdownfarm.net Please include:

• Resume
• Cover letter or Letter of Intent
• References (2-3, please)
• Dates you are available for work (start and end)
• If you are interested in housing options
• If you have mixed vegetable farm experience and if you are interested in a role with more responsibility this season

Qualified candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis until positions are filled, so don't delay in applying. We look forward to hearing from you!

-Simone, Ariella, and TJ

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