Sustainable Agriculture / Organic Farming

Position: Educational Farm Operations Manager
School: Lakefield College School – Northcote Campus Farm Program
Location: Lakefield, near Peterborough, Ontario

Organizational Overview

Founded in 1879, Lakefield College School (LCS) is a leader among Canada’s independent boarding and day schools. It prides itself on its reputation for providing a strong, caring community, a well-rounded program, and a transformational student experience.

Employment at LCS is more than a "job." Because we are predominantly a boarding school, both faculty and staff are required to do much. In return, the school strives to provide competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for growth. All members of the community are encouraged to participate fully in the school's life and to use and enjoy the beautiful grounds and facilities.

At LCS, we believe in the dignity and worth of all individuals. With roughly 440 students joining us from over 40 countries, young people learn and mature best when encouraged to embrace their individuality within a richly diverse and supportive community. We believe that this diversity of perspectives strengthens our community.

Position Overview & Accountabilities:

Lakefield College School is seeking an Educational Farm Operations Manager to lead its innovative farm program at our Northcote Campus for the 2024/2025 season.

The successful candidate will oversee the implementation of the yearly Farm Plan, manage daily farm operations, and maintain strong connections with the school community and local partners. This role encompasses planting, cultivating, harvesting, equipment management, and integrating student engagement into farm activities. Emphasizing sustainability, creativity, and regenerative practices, the role involves soil health management, crop rotation, and a commitment to no-till farming methods.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, working closely with the Farm Support and Curricular Experiences Coordinator and the Outdoors Every Day Coordinator to align farm operations with meaningful student learning opportunities. Responsibilities include maintaining farm safety standards, managing farm budgets, and supporting events and tours. With an average 37.5-hour workweek during peak growing seasons (April–October), this role also offers opportunities for professional development and innovation in farm operations.

Specific Accountabilities – Northcote Farm Operations:

• Farm Plan Execution: Create, present, and review the Northcote Farm Plan, including planting schedules, crop rotation, soil management, and labour support. Ensure alignment with school Dining Hall needs, community partners, and student engagement opportunities. Obtain approval from the Director of Northcote at the start and end of each season.
• Record Keeping and Reporting: Maintain detailed produce quantity, quality, and farm operations records. Digitize and share these records frequently with the Director.
• Daily Farm Operations: Oversee daily farm operations, including waste and recycling oversight, maintenance, irrigation management, equipment repair, and safety compliance. Ensure the care and maintenance of the Farm Barn.
• Harvest Coordination and Community Integration: Organize weekly harvest pickups and deliveries, manage community partnerships, and prioritize student program integration.
• Educational and Training Goals: Provide training and set production goals for the Northcote Team. Focus on growing produce that supports educational activities and ensure the Farm Plan includes data and feedback from student engagement.
• Crop and Orchard Management: Manage planting, cultivating, harvesting, and succession planning on the 2-acre farmland. Innovate pest control methods while adhering to organic practices. Maintain and expand the Fruit and Nut orchard. Develop a no-till farming strategy over the next 3 years.
• Laying Hen Management: Manage laying hens and develop a comprehensive chicken strategy.
• Budgeting: Oversee and report on the fixed farm budget. Document and communicate equipment inventory needs.
• Innovation and Expansion: Each year, expand the farm and its programs in innovative ways, aiming to achieve higher production goals and integrate regenerative agriculture practices.

School Support:

• Partnership and Prioritization: Based on school needs, align responsibilities with the Farm Support and Curricular Experiences Coordinator and Outdoors Every Day Coordinator, working together to prioritize student programming.
• Event and Tour Coordination: Assist in planning and leading special events, represent the school at conferences, and conduct tours for students, guests, and staff.
• Student Program Support: Collaborate with the Northcote Team to implement and support student programs, ensuring meaningful teaching and learning experiences.
• Innovative Learning Opportunities: Present innovative opportunities for student learning, connect with other educational institutions, and identify synergies between farms and student programs.
• Professional Development and Innovation: Focus on innovation and lead professional development opportunities for farm team members, enhancing community connections.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience in growing vegetables for production and knowledge of sustainable agriculture,
• Agriculture-related post-secondary degree an asset.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, collaborating with school administrators, faculty, and students
• Experience working with youth
• Possess excellent communication skills, comfortable interacting with diverse groups
• Experience using organic farming practices and adhering to sustainable agriculture principles
• Experience working with and maintaining farm equipment (ex. Tractor, Gator, etc.)
• Willingness and ability to complete repetitive tasks, and have the physical capacity for farming operations (lifting, walking, bending, crouching, kneeling).
• Reliable transportation; and a valid class G license

Course and Certification Requirements:

• Current Emergency or Standard First Aid and CPR C
• WHMIS, AODA, Health and Safety*
• Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening
• Commit to Kids Training, SOS Three-Sixty Boundary*
• Farm Safety Course from OFA*
• CASA Tractor & Farm Machinery Course*
• Chainsaw safety course would be considered an asset

(*to be provided by the school as part of the onboarding process)

Compensation:

• Salary range: $25.00 to $35.00/hourly ($937.50 to $1,312.50 weekly)
• Health and Dental Benefits, EAP
• Professional Development

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How to apply:

Please complete your profile and submit your resume information through the Careers Section of our website on or before January 6, 2025. (Please note: This is an ongoing recruitment process and we will be connecting with candidates as we receive applications and arranging for interviews in early 2025).

Please indicate you saw this posting at FoodWork.ca.

Please Note: LCS is committed to providing accommodation for persons with disabilities. Please visit our Accessibility page for further details or contact our Human Resources department, hr@lcs.on.ca, for any information in an alternate format.

Lakefield College School is an inclusive, caring community. We believe in the dignity and worth of all individuals. We embrace diversity and practice equity. We lead with empathy to create a sense of belonging for all. We are committed to equal employment opportunities for persons of all cultures, colours, ancestries, religions, sexes, national origins, sexual orientations, ages, marital statuses, disabilities, gender identities and veteran statuses.

We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations.

Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.