REGENERATIVE FARMING

Position: Farm Manager
Farm: Island View Farm
Location: Central Saanich, Greater Victoria BC

The Island View Farm Manager will be responsible for all farm activities, with the overarching goal of helping to develop and operate a regenerative, productive, and profitable farming operation.

This is a new farm on land that requires some extra love to build a thriving web of soil, pollinators, plants and community, and the farm manager will be well supported and equipped in this work. Their primary responsibility will be to develop a ½ acre market garden (with room to expand into another ½ acre and future commercial greenhouse), and connecting this production to on and off site sales channels.

The farm operation is part of a 10 acre property that sees 20,000 visitors a year through an existing minigolf. In addition to the market garden, plans are also being developed for an adjacent orchard and land based cidery, and eventual workshop and event spaces.

The Farm Manager position will be part of a team working collaboratively to develop this new and exciting source of healthy food and fun on the Saanich Peninsula, with room to grow and explore additional responsibilities over time.

Compensation and Role Structure

This role pays $28/hr plus health and dental benefits, 4% vacation pay or equivalent paid days off, access to fresh produce and participation in a property-wide bonus formula for all staff.

Our ideal candidate is available part time to begin planning in November, and can expect full time work once the season starts, followed by a gradual winding down of working hours into the fall shoulder season until an anticipated seasonal closure in Oct/Nov 2025.

Any additional farm hands or volunteers (if needed) will report to the Farm Manager. The Farm Manager will report directly to the General Manager, who has lead responsibility for the property and is also expecting to spend substantial time in the field.

While we operate a largely seasonal business at this time, we hope to build an enduring relationship and the potential for extension and/or annual renewal of the role will be an active conversation with the Farm Manager throughout the season.

Key Responsibilities

• Farm strategy (alongside management team):
  • Leading all farm design and development
  • Crop plan
  • Regenerative goals and approaches
  • On- and off- farm sales strategies and integration with on site retail and activities
  • Budget, workplan, and development of a financially sustainable operating model
• Farm management and implementation:
  • All planning and implementation of market garden from development through annual shut down, beginning with 0.5 acres (currently in cover crop), and eventually developing a second 0.5 acres.
  • Managing greenhouse when/if established next season (to be discussed with successful candidate)
  • All crop management and integration with retail strategies, including on site farm retail and any off farm sales activity.
  • Maintenance of all farm related spaces, equipment and tools, including irrigation
  • Management of any additional farm hands/volunteers
  • Documentation, records and good information management practices
• Supporting role:
  • Orchard plant out in ~March 2025 (~950 trees) and ongoing orchard monitoring and maintenance
  • Joins property wide planning and management team in some decision making
  • Supporting development of eventual new activities adjacent to market garden related responsibilities
  • Supporting management of any off site sales (as identified in strategy co-developed with successful candidate)
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum 2 yrs market gardening experience, including developing and implementing crop plans, with preference (but not requirement) in flowers and mixed vegetables
• Experience managing irrigation systems, operating farm equipment such as walk behind tractors, and integrated pest management (IPM)
• Familiarity with regenerative or biodynamic agriculture practices
• Ability to work long hours in all types of weather with seasonally heavy workloads
• Management and decision making experience, ideally in a farming context in a similar role or managing your own farm
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Willingness to pitch in if other jobs need doing
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Valid drivers license for BC
• Ability to work on feet throughout the day with repetitive lifting of substantial weights
• Ability to work with relevant hand tools and machinery
• Familiarity with basic software and computer applications is an asset (ie. Google Suite, Slack, Asana, POS systems, Quickbooks)
• Have your own vehicle
• While the manager can expect to be well supported, the role does require flexibility in meeting farm needs including all aspects of planning, planting, managing, harvesting, preparing, selling, and delivering produce

We’re early in this journey, and hope to hear your own dreams and ideas for the project. We have an open mind about many details of the role design.

To apply, please e-mail your resume and a brief covering letter to:
shawn@krdwinvestments.com
subject: Farm Manager

Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.

Island View Farm operates on the unceded territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples and we strive to be good stewards and caretakers of this land.

As an equity focused employer we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those who may identify as Black, Indigenous and/or racialized; women; people of all sexual orientations and gender identities; persons with disabilities; and others who may bring diverse experience, perspectives and contributions to our work and team.

*The first deadline for submissions is Nov 12th, however we are eager to hire asap and will be reviewing and interviewing candidates as candidates are identified - don't wait to apply!*