Organization: The Backyard Urban Farm Company
Website: http://www.bufco.ca
Location: Toronto, Ontario
The Backyard Urban Farm Company is a family-run organic vegetable
landscaping company that designs, installs, and maintains edible
gardens in homes, businesses, schools and other institutions
throughout the Toronto. Our
mission is to ignite people’s passion for
growing their own food, to educate ourselves and others about
self-sufficiency and food security, and to strive for responsible
stewardship of the planet.
We are looking for inspired, energetic, fun-loving and self-motivated
team players to join us on our quest to make the world a better place,
one beautiful garden at a time.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The primary responsibilities of a BUFCO gardener are to plant and
maintain vegetable and flower gardens using organic growing
methodologies and sustainable practices; to guide and coach our
clients on basic garden care; and look after plants and seedlings in
our greenhouse. This is a seasonal position starting approximately
mid-April until mid-October.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
• Plant, maintain and harvest beautiful, bountiful gardens.
• Maintain client garden plans and folders.
• Some client coaching and instruction.
• Care and maintenance of seedlings in our greenhouse.
• Maintain seed and seedling inventories.
• Some participation in trade shows and farmer’s markets
• Supervise intern(s)
• Photograph gardens and write bi-weekly blog posts, possible
participation in video segments.
QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE
Knowledge of organic vegetable gardening techniques and practices
including, but not limited to:
• Watering, weeding, staking, pruning, mulching, trellising
• Companion planting
• Crop rotation
• Integrated pest management
• Natural/organic disease control techniques
• Soil maintenance, management, and amending
• When to plant specific vegetables according to time of year
• Practical knowledge of sun paths; ability to assess sun exposure in a garden
• Understanding of both in-ground and raised-bed vegetable gardens
• Plant and plant family identification, from seed to mature plant
• Optimal growing conditions for a wide variety of plants
• Insect identification (both beneficial and invasive)
• Disease identification (fungal, viral, bacterial)
• Working knowledge of and experience with season extension growing techniques
• Knowledge of and experience working with ornamental plants is a great asset
SKILLS and ASSETS
• Safe and proper use of a wide variety of hand gardening tools and implements
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail and able to
maintain neat, tidy workspaces
• An inspiring people-person who is comfortable sharing knowledge and
encouragement with a variety of differing personalities
• A creative thinker with a keen eye for aesthetics
• Able to maintain written records for a wide variety of gardens
• Reliable, punctual, physically fit, strong, enjoys working outdoors
in all weather
• Willing and able to work long hours
• A minimum of a full G drivers license with a maintained, clean driving
record.
Hourly rate: $15
To apply please send resume and cover letter to:
info@bufco.ca — no calls please.
Thank you for your interest in BUFCO. Only qualified applicants will
be contacted for an interview.