Market Garden Worker

As a key member of our farm team the Market Gardener Worker is responsible for working directly with the Market Gardener and Director to ensure the day-to-day duties are fulfilled. Tasks will take place at our small-scale farming locations which include our Community Garden at Carea Community Centre in Oshawa, our backyard farm and occasionally our rural farm, hobby chicken farm and greenhouse growing space. The Worker may also be responsible to attend market days at local farmer’s markets where we will facilitate our Market Dollar Program. Team members will have to regularly travel between locations during the workday. The Worker will work alongside a farm team of 2-4 people. You are responsible to ensure efficient and productive management of our vegetable and fruit crops, which are used to supplement Carea's community food program our Common Goods Food Box. Your main duties will include, but are not limited to, general operation and maintenance of the fields, planting, watering, harvesting, packing and delivering. Farm assistant will also learn about establishing new farmland, regenerative agricultural principles and no till farm practices. There is also an element of construction which includes the use of tools and building techniques which will taught on the job.

Detailed Job Description:

· Work as member of a 2–4-person garden team

· Report directly to Farm Supervisor on a daily basis

· Participate in daily morning briefings on the responsibilities and tasks for the day

· Share responsibilities and work with team members to complete tasks on daily basis

· Maintain two small-scale farming sites: implementing crop plans, planting and seeing fields, harvesting, washing and packing produce, watering, weeding and general farm maintenance

· Attend local Farmer’s Market and facilitate Market Dollar Program

· Training and regular use of hand tools, power tools and other farming equipment

· Help facilitate packing and delivery of the Common Goods Food Box

· Participate in meetings, staff training, reporting requirements such as timesheets

· Receive informal onsite feedback and coaching of performance from Farm Supervisor and Director

· Receive monthly formal in person feedback from Farm Supervisor and Director

Qualifications and Experience:

· Interest in community-led food programs and food security

· Interest in small-scale regenerative agriculture

· Commitment to principles of food justice and equity

· Hard worker

· Self-Motivated and self-starter

· Effective communication and organizational skills

· Capable of working independently as well as part of a team

· Experience gardening, growing food or working with plants is an asset

· Experience working with a variety of tools and equipment is an asset

· Valid G Driver’s License is an asset

Job Requirements:

· Physical labor in inclement weather (all weather conditions) and a fast-paced environment

· Willingness to travel to our different farm locations (company transportation)

· Physically demanding: lifting and moving up to 40 pounds, hours spent on feet, bending, crouching, etc.

· Flexibility in hours including evenings and weekends may be required to accommodate organizational requirements

Job Types: Full-time, Seasonal

Salary: $17.00-$18.00 per hour

Flexible Language Requirement:

• English not required

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Colborne, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• This job is funded by Canada Summer Jobs, as such some conditions must apply such as: Canadian Citizenship; and aged 15-30 years of age.

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-04-15
Expected start date: 2024-05-01