Organic Farming in BC

Hiring: Organic farming – crops & facilities (single or couple)
Farm: Foxglove Farm

Location: near Ganges, Salt Spring Island, BC
Housing: Private on-farm housing available

Want to work on one of the most "drop-dead" beautiful places on earth? Do you enjoy working independently, setting your own schedule, and not having your boss breathing down your neck? Love to be outside in an amazing environment working with equally amazing people? Have some farming experience and a few basic skills in carpentry, plumbing, and electrical? If your answer is yes or even maybe to any of the above read on.

Foxglove Farm is a 120-acre organic farm on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, Canada. The farm is located on one of the oldest homesteads on the island, surrounded by hundreds of acres of protected forest, pastures, and fields, bordering Maxwell Lake.

The farm produces berries, asparagus, melons, greens, roots, a wide range of annual Mediterranean vegetables, as well as diverse orchard fruits. We also produce grains and pulses and manage a small flock of pastured laying hens.

Foxglove Farm also offers accommodations and retreats in beautifully restored cottages and in the original log home on one of the island’s finest heritage working farm properties.

The farm’s owners, Michael Ableman and Jeanne-Marie Herman, have over five decades of farming experience, have written numerous books on food and agriculture, and have been teaching and mentoring others throughout their careers. Their hope for this coming season is to build a team that will allow them the time to devote to another book and major agricultural project they have been leading.

The farm is only minutes from Ganges, the main town on the island, while also sorrounded by hiking trails, swimming, and nature. Spring, summer, and fall are lively seasons on the island with music, culinary events, and numerous social opportunities.

Position Description

This posiiton works with the farm’s owners in the management of all perennial crops, and in the maintainance of buildings, infrastructure, machinery, and grounds.

Specific responsibilities

• Care and oversight of small orchard and perrenial crops (asparagus, blueberries, raspberries, grapes) including weed control, irrigation, harvest, post-harvets,and direct marketing
• Management of all irrigation and irrigation system maintenance
• Weekly mowing and weed-whacking
• Care and oversight of small flock of chickens
• Some limited off-season forestry management
• Basic maintenance and repairs of buildings and farm infrastructure
• Basic maintenance and repairs of machinery, tools, and equipment
• Maintaining a clean and orderly environment

Required

• General farm experience, preferably with fruits and vegetables
• Self motivated and ability to work alone
• Good interpersonal skills
• Strong self organizational skills
• Sense of humor

Assets (nice to have)

• Basic mechanical, plumbing, carpentry, and electrical experience
• Basic tractor and machinery operations/maintenance experience
• Chainsaw safety, operations, and maintenance experience

Compensation/Housing/Term

• $22-$28/hour depending on experience
• May-November (longer term off season housing and work also available)
• Private clean on-farm housing included for a nominal fee for utiltiies/internet/laundry/etc.
• Internet, laundry, and select farm products available for personal use.

Single people or couples are welcomed to apply regardless of your background or identity.

Please send a simple resume to m.ableman@fieldsofplenty.com . Please put Crops and Facilities Position in the subject line of your email.

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