Vegetable and Horticulture Specialist

Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation is Nova Scotia’s food industry development agency. Weoffer an integrated suite of services to the agriculture and seafood sectors with a focus on on-farm production, quality and food safety, analytical services and product development and improvements. Our highly skilled and collaborative team focuses on superior customer service, proactive solutions, and innovative approaches to meet client needs. To assist in this effort, we are hoping to fill two positions: Vegetable Specialist (Annapolis Valley) and Horticulture Specialist (Truro/Bible Hill).

These positions are eligible for hybrid work arrangements. Some daytime and overnight travel will be required across Nova Scotia.

Agricultural specialist positions are exciting roles within Perennia’s growing team. As a specialist you would be involved in a variety of industry-led research and demonstration projects; working with industry through participation on regional, national and some international committees; and day-to-day farmer extension activities which allow for varied interactions with farmers from in person farm calls to virtual field tours. If you haven’t had a chance to take in any of our recent publications, here is a selection of our published material YouTube page, specialist blogs, short educational videos, and our periodical, The Root. If you want to review of our extension resources for farmers, please visit

The primary focus for these positions is the delivery of a farm production extension program that will assist farmers in developing the capability, understanding and skills needed to improve productivity, enhancing competitiveness, and creating new opportunities.

The Vegetable Specialist, while based out of the primary vegetable growing region of the Annapolis Valley, is a provincial role that will service vegetable producers across Nova Scotia. The Horticulture Specialist based out of the Bible Hill office will focus on servicing farmers in Central and Eastern Nova Scotia. Specific duties include responding to agriculture production inquiries (in-person and remotely); transferring new technologies; development and delivery of workshops and field days; development of information for farmers such as fact sheets, blog posts, videos, webinars, etc.; and identifying new research or opportunities for horticulture that, if advanced, would have a positive impact on sector sustainability and/or growth. These positions require a self-starter with a passion for agriculture, strong work ethic, positive attitude, a high personal standard of excellence and who enjoys working in a collaborative team environment.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A degree in a field that relates to the responsibilities of this position such as a degree in agronomy with a major in horticulture, plant science, plant physiology, plant pathology, entomology, with a preference for candidates with an M.Sc.
• Minimum of three years’ experience working in the horticulture industry with direct experience providing vegetable or berry extension is preferred; if you have more years of experience as a senior professional, we encourage you to apply as compensation will be commensurate
• Experience or demonstrated experience or aptitude sharing information via blogs, videos, podcasts and/or webinars
• Foundational understanding in the principles of pest management (e.g. entomology, plant pathology, weed management), plant physiology, sustainable agriculture, and nutrient management
• Good observational and diagnostics skills
• Experience in conducting applied research trials in field environments and knowledge of experimental design and analysis would be considered an asset
• Experience in project management would be preferred
• A member or eligible for P.Ag. status with the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrology

Perennia offers a competitive compensation package based on the candidate’s skill and experience. This includes base salary, benefits, flexible schedules, personal days, and three weeks’ vacation (pro-rated depending on when the successful candidate’s start).

To apply for this exciting position at Perennia, please email a combined PDF or Word cover letter and resume noting compensation expectations. Please also include or link to any knowledge transfer materials you feel would support your application package.

Only e-mail applications will be accepted. Thank you to all who apply but only those granted interviews will be contacted. For more information about Perennia visit our website at www.perennia.ca.

Perennia is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Company events
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care
• Wellness program
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Experience:

• Horticulture: 3 years (required)
• podcast: 2 years (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• P.Ag. (preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Kentville, NS B4N 2N1 (required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Kentville, NS B4N 2N1: Relocate before starting work (required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kentville, NS B4N 2N1

Application deadline: 2024-03-01