apprenticeships (3 positions)
Type: full-time intern/apprenticeship with accom., food, stipend, more
(see below)
Organization: 10 Acres Farm http://10acres.ca
Location: 10 Acres Farm, North Saanich, Vancouver Island, BC (22 km
from Victoria)
Overview:
10 Acres farm is see
king three highly motivated, positive, hardy
apprentices to help our farm team with all aspects of field-to-table
food raising on this unique restaurant-owned, transitional organic
farm.
The Farm:
10 Acres Farm is (surprise!) a 10 acre mixed veggie-fruit-livestock
farm located on the Saanich peninsula, Vancouver Island, BC. The small
orchard includes plums, cherries, quinces, figs, persimmons, lemons,
limes, apples, pears, nectarines, peaches, and apricots. There are
also table grapes, black currants, blueberries, marionberries,
loganberries, kiwis, and some strawberries and raspberries on the way.
The livestock includes 2 honey bee hives, a flock of 100 laying hens,
30 pastured turkeys, 15 pastured pigs, and 100+ rabbits. The mixed
field crops are grown on 1.5 acres and include mixed veggies, herbs, 2
seedling hoophouses, 700 asparagus crowns, and cut flowers. All food
raised goes directly to the restaurant and we process all restaurant
food waste on farm for compost.
The Neighbourhood:
We’re on a gentle, sheltered north-facing slope, surrounded by trees
and other small acreages with an ever-changing view of Mt. Tuam on
Saltspring Island. Within walking distance (less than 2km) are many
kilometres of hiking trails through John Dean Provincial Park, ocean
(Coles Bay), Panorama Rec centre, The Roost Farm bakery, and public
transit stops to Victoria. Within easy cycling distance (less than
6km) are Sidney and Saanichton, two little towns that provide most
daily amenities (groceries, post office, coffee shops, drug stores,
hardware, public library, doctors etc.). We’re 22Km from Victoria and
between here and there are many small bays, beaches, and inlets, a
vibrant sustainable farm community, an extensive network of rural bike
lanes, music events, and lots of natural beauty to explore.
The Job Description:
Apprentices will work and learn alongside a farm family with 5 years
of organic farming experience and a farm worker team of 4. You’ll
participate in most aspects of food raising on the farm including:
• Field prep, amendment application, seeding, transplanting,
irrigation installation and management, weed/pest/disease/soil
fertility management, low-tunnel setup, mulching, cover cropping,
harvest, post-harvest processing
• Orchard pruning and trellising
• Livestock breeding and care (feeding, watering, managing herd/flock
health, egg collection and washing, other daily tasks)
• Rotational pasture and perimeter fence setup, maintenance, and repair
• Compost turning and spreading
• Small and large machinery and tool operation
• Infrastructure and tool maintenance, repair and improvements
• Maintaining a clean and aesthetically pleasing farm appearance,
• Field and sales record keeping and data entry,
• Supply runs, and other farm tasks as needed
Preferred Qualifications:
• Some prior farm-related work experience
• Must be physically fit and capable of hard physical work outdoors in
all weather (frost, rain, wind, heat) for long hours
• Excellent oral communication skills and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to balance efficiency and thoroughness in all tasks
• Attention to detail, cleanliness, and good aesthetic sense
• Highly self-motivated, positive attitude, adaptable, organized
• Ability to work calmly, prioritize tasks, and complete them under
tight deadlines
• Ability to work well alone and in a team
• Ability to troubleshoot problems with sometimes limited supervision
• Basic familiarity with Microsoft Excel
• Willingness to bring livestock animals to slaughter
• Basic experience with mechanics, carpentry, plumbing, and/or
electrical work an asset
• Family-friendly: respectful neighbours, comfortable with young
children and dogs present on site
• Respectful roommate: can peacefully co-exist in shared living space
with other apprentices
• Can be present on site 1 of every 3 weekends for rotating livestock chores
• Valid Drivers’ licence
Additional Details:
Accommodation: Semi-separate housing with wifi (no phone land line),
full kitchen (sink, stove, oven, fridge, basic utensils etc.), bed,
bath, and sitting room provided in converted barn/house. Bathroom and
laundry are located in adjoining farm manager family house, separated
from main living space by a door. Clothes washer/dryer shared with
farm family, but bathroom (shower/sink/toilet) shared only amongst
farm workers and apprentices.
Food: In season farm veggies and eggs provided. Basic staples and meal
preparation are apprentices’ responsibility. In the past we have
shared communal lunches cooked on a rotating basis.
Hours: Roughly 8 hours/day, 5 days/week (more in summer, less in
off-season), with some off-hours work required for rotating animal
care duties 1 of every 3 weeks. Some early mornings required.
Term: 4, 8, or 12 months. The 4 month term would be from mid-May to
mid-September; the 8 month term from mid-March to mid-November; and
the 12 month from February 2015-February 2016.
Stipend: $1475/month
Who can apply:
We are a family-friendly, queer-friendly farm. Everyone is welcome to
apply, including couples, same-sex partners, friend pairs, and parents
(single or pair) with children. Parents will need to arrange childcare
during work hours.
No smokers, no pets.
Pending funding approval, funder stipulations may require that
preference be given to candidates who meet the following eligibility
criteria:
• Under 30 years of age
• Canadian Citizen
• Graduated within last 3 years from a degree program in or related to
agriculture, plant biology etc.
How to Apply:
Applications are welcomed until Friday, January 2, 2015. Successful
candidates will be notified by January 16, 2015. Only applicants
selected for interviews will be contacted and invited to tour the
farm. Please send a resume and cover letter with your contact
information included and indication of whether you meet the 3 funding
eligibility criteria listed above to Adam Bongarzone–>
Email: farm@10acres.ca
OR by mail: 1402 McTavish Road, North Saanich, BC, V8L 5T3.
BISTRO + 611 Courtnay Street |Victoria, BC | V8W 1B7
FARM + 1402 McTavish Road | North Saanich, BC | V8L 5T3
http://www.10acres.ca