Location: Albion Hills Conservation Area, Palgrave, Town of Caledon, Ontario
Salary: $20/hr, commensurate with experience plus benefits
Start and End Date: May 2011- October 2011 (with possibility of extension)
Areas of Focus: Near-urban agriculture, agriculture education, environment
About Albion Hills Community Farm:
Located in the Town of Caledon at Ontario’s oldest conservation area and within Ontario’s Greenbelt, the Albion Hills Community Farm (AHCF) is a place where students, teachers, aspiring farmers, community groups and families come together to learn about local food and farming and to foster healthy eating and lifestyle choices.
AHCF is a demonstration site for sustainable farming practices and a learning centre for local food, farming and conservation. It serves students who come to AHCF to learn and also a wide variety of community groups, institutions and individuals that are looking for locally grown, healthy food and opportunities to connect with the land, farming and with each other.
AHCF is a non-profit farm that is a unique partnership of the Caledon Countryside Alliance, Palgrave Environment Committee, Chesslawn Farm, and Toronto and Region Conservation. Our partners have exceptional track records of success in environmental education, farming, local food systems and outdoor education.
Job Description:
AHCF is looking for an enthusiastic, hands-on and well organized farm manager to lead, teach and inspire students, volunteers and interns by working actively alongside them through all day-to-day operations at the central farm location at Albion Hills Conservation Area.
This 80-acre site is a mixed use farm that incorporates market garden and field crops for local market consumption. The farm capitalizes on opportunity for agri-tourism crops such as maple syrup production, a maze and a farm stand at the local farm market. The farm includes a community garden site, greenhouse (coming late this season) and volunteers/interns as part of a farm incubator/ training site.
Beyond the farm, AHCF is neighbour to two education field centres, and summer camps that utilize Albion Hills Conservation Area. The Farm Manager(s) will play an important role in leading, supervising and communicating with these groups of youth and adults.
Some assistance in managing farm tasks is available from AHCF Board members, volunteers, and the Program Manager however, the Farm Manager is the primary farmer within the organization.
The Farm Manager(s) will be responsible for working closely with the AHCF Board and for carrying out an annual farm plan that meets the needs AHCF’s many programs. This plan shall include at a minimum:
• Annual farm budget
• Crop production plan
• Farm product retail and distribution plan
• Farm maintenance plan
• Greenhouse operation plan
• Maintenance of farm records
The farm manager(s) will also be responsible for:
• Ensuring that daily farm-related activities are completed including planting, weeding, harvesting, irrigating, soil amendment, general maintenance, etc.
• Co-ordinating and overseeing, with the AHCF Board, the distribution of farm product to end-users, including sales at the Caledon Farm Market, on Thursday evenings in Bolton, ON
• Some training and oversight of volunteers, interns and future staff
• Work and assist the AHCF Board with youth and community organizations with service projects at the farm
• Assistance with raising funds for the AHCF, where requested
• Represent AHCF at events, where requested
General Qualifications:
• Minimum 3 years experience farming, preferably in a near-urban and/or a chemical-free or organic agriculture setting
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, education or related field is preferred, but not required
• Experience in the distribution and sale of farm products
• Ability to work under difficult physical conditions
• Valid drivers license, access to a vehicle and ability to operate farm equipment
• Aptitude for maintaining standard farm equipment and infrastructure
• Ability to facilitate tours, events and media opportunities
• Knowledge of the Canadian Organic Standards and organic certification process
• Interest and familiarity with issues relating to local food, food access, sustainable agriculture and agri-environmental beneficial management practices
• Proficiency in Microsoft office applications
• Proven ability to create and perform presentations, and report to Boards
• Ability to work independently and part of a team
• A flexible work schedule and the ability to work Thursday evenings
Interested candidates may send a cover letter, resume and application form in Microsoft Word format, to deanna@albionhillscommunityfarm.org by June 10 at 5:00pm. Include “AHCF Farm Manager Position” in the subject line.
Albion Hills Community Farm is committed to Employment Equity. We thank all applicants for their interest in the position. However, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly. No phone calls please.
