Abbondanza Farm,Senior Apprentice 2016 / or couple Jobs in Canada

Position: Senior Apprentice 2016 / or couple
Type: farm internship/work-stay with accom., stipend, great food, more (see
below)
Organization: Abbondanza Farm
Location: near Lac Memphremagog, between Montreal & Sherbrooke QC / Eastern
Townships / near Magog & Vermont

THE FARM:

Located in the beautiful Eastern Townships of Quebec, Abbondanza Greenhouse,
Gardens and Education Centre occupies the site of a 148 acre historic hill farm
first settled over a hundred years ago. What makes our operation unique is as
well as the food production work we also run workshops where participants can
learn the practical skills required to produce their own food and establish a
more connected, engaged and sustainable relationship to the natural world.

We have a huge library and I love sharing my passion and knowledge about
growing delicious food with others.

I am also the manager of the Farmer’s Market where we sell our produce every
Saturday as well as hold special events and workshops.

The food crops are grown in a series of small plots located around the
farmyard. I specialize in diversity and like to bring heirloom and unusual
varieties to the market. The farm is not certified organic but follows the same
methods and techniques as well as incorporating many aspects of permaculture.
Aside from the occasional use of a small tiller, we work with hand tools. We
produce on a modest scale here, enough to bring to our market table and to
supply the house. We may be small but we are beautiful.

There is a passive solar heated greenhouse where I start seedlings in the
spring and where tender food crops are grown all summer and fall, extending the
growing season at both ends.

A poultry coop houses the flock of chickens, ducks and turkeys. I’ve been
raising sheep since 2014.

For the last several years I have had the positive experience of working with
volunteers (WWOOFers and others) to assist us in running the activities at
Abbondanza. That will continue in 2016.

I am committed to expanding the sustainable nature of how we manage our daily
life here, from the food we produce and eat, to the waste we produce. Any new
projects or ideas in this area will be extremely welcome.

THE JOB:

This is a great opportunity for someone who already has a good set of skills
and experience to take it to the next level, assisting in all aspects of food
production, both plants and animals.

That would involve collaborating with me in:
• selecting what is to be grown
• creating planting maps
• developing a seasonal calendar for seeding, planting and harvesting
• assessing work force needs
• managing production of seedlings and crops in the greenhouse
• keeping on top of weeding and pest or disease control
• our seed saving activities that include working with The Bauta
FamilyInitiative on Canadian Seed Security
• overseeing the needs of the sheep and poultry
• running a daily task list and managing work assignments
• facilitating a positive and efficient work environment
• providing leadership and quality control for work crews
• organizing the weekly harvest for our Saturday market
• participating in the tasks required for the smooth running of our collective
domestic life

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
• You must have at least two full seasons experience on an ecological vegetable
farm.
• You have experience in planning and carrying through a full production season
from seed purchases, seedling production, timely planting of crops as well as
replanting and harvesting.
• You have strong people management skills.
• You are good at establishing priorities and seeing tasks through.
• You are committed to all aspects of community food security.
• You love doing research to find solutions to plant problems as they occur and
to keep on learning about agriculture.
• It would be great if you were bilingual.
• You have a driver’s license.
• You truly enjoy living and working together with new people.
• You absolutely love the challenge that farm work provides.

THE DETAILS:
• The job begins full time in mid-March but ideally there would be some contact
earlier to plan seed purchases and early seeding. It will run until the middle
of October.
• You will have your own bedroom in the farm house.
• I have WiFi, a great CD collection, laundry facilities and a terrific
swimming pond right here on the farm.
• We eat our meals together – everyone helps with meal prep – and I am a
terrific cook.
• We work five and a half days a week in the high season and together we will
determine an equitable work schedule that balances your needs with the weekly
production demands.
• We like to have fun, swim, visit places in the region, and make music
together.
• You will be paid $500 a month with a $500 bonus for completing the season.
• I am very open to the idea of accommodating a couple in this job.
• I would also welcome your pursuit of a personal project here such as growing
medicinal herbs or producing a specialty food product.