Juniper Farm is a 200 acre certified organic vegetable farm owned by us, Alex
Mackay-Smith and Juniper Turgeon. We have been operating for 7 years. We offer
150 summer and fall CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares to our local
community as well as operate an on farm store and attend the Old Chelsea
Farmers’ Market. We also sell to a number of local restaurants.
We grow over 60 varieties of fruits and veggies and have 5 acres of vegetables
and 15 acres in rotation on our 200 acre piece of land. We have 4 greenhouses
and a cold cellar to help extend our seasons. We eat almost entirely from the
food that we grow and preserve on our farm. We are planting orchard trees and
have turkeys, chickens and pigs being integrated into the farm circle. We are
experimenting with integrating more biodynamic principles into our farming
practices.
Currently our farm team is made up of us the farm owners and operators, our
extended family, CSA workshares, a manger, and two returning interns who have
graduated to employees. This season we have 2 intern positions available.
What we offer:
We are offering opportunities for individuals to live and work with us on our
organic vegetable farm. By interning with us, you will learn different aspects
and details of organic farming, biodynamic farming and greenhouse management.
We will also teach you how to eat locally all season long through canning,
freezing and fermenting your season’s harvest. Additionally, we have formed a
network with other young organic farmers in West Quebec and the Ottawa Valley
where we visit each other’s farms each month. You will have the opportunity to
meet with other interns and farmers to expand your vision of the many ways you
can farm. We are farmers that welcome the energy, curiosity and ingenuity of
others on our farm. As the farm matures we have been building a committed and
paid farm team. We have several experienced returning employees that were once
interns and each have a wealth of knowledge to share.
The selected interns will have the opportunity to live in one of the four
individual cabins (with power) nestled in the woods. There is a large 2nd floor
common space in a renovated barn equipped with couches, table, a small sleeping
loft and wood stove. Downstairs is a fully equipped kitchen and dining space.
There is an outdoor hot shower and composting toilet.
We prepare and eat lunch together 3 days a week with whoever is working on the
farm, which can be 5 — 10 people. Breakfast and dinner are up to you – the
garden is yours for the picking and the eggs are always in plenty. There is a
food stipend you will receive to purchase your other food items.
Each week we make time to have a community lunch where we all gather to discuss
upcoming events, news, living and working issues.
We expect interns to work 8 hours/day and 5.5 days/week.
We offer a stipend of $50/week + $50/week food stipend, room & board.
We are 5 minutes from Wakefield, Quebec a small town in the Gatineau Hills. We
are 40 min from Ottawa.
Who we would like to find:
• Individuals who have a strong work ethic and sense of commitment and are
accustomed to physical labour
• Individuals who believe in small-scale organic agriculture and are up for the
everyday challenges that it presents.
• Individuals who enjoy living and working in a community
• Someone who is energetic, healthy, happy and motivated to work.
• Someone who is reliable and responsible.
Other skills that you can bring to the farm are always assets ie. Carpentry,
mechanical, writing, organization, computer, design, bilingualism etc.
How to apply:
Please write a couple of paragraphs about who you are and why you would like to
spend a season working with us on an organic vegetable farm and send to:
fermejuniper at yahoo.ca
Phone: 819.459.1630
We are looking forward to hearing from you.