Position: Organic vegetable harvester
Organization: Makaria Farm http://www.makariafarm.com
Location: Duncan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Makaria Farm sells a wide selection of vegetables through our weekly
vegetable share CSA delivery program, our 7 days/week farm stand, and
multiple farmers markets, grocers and restaurants. We need superstar
harvesters to ensure that our customers are wowed by the vegetables
they receive this summer and fall.
If you like challenging yourself, this is the job for you. The work is
physically demanding, day after day, and is necessary in all kinds of
weather — including sweltering heat and the pouring rain. (Yet somehow
our harvest crew members manage to smile and laugh together. Maybe
it’s the campfires.)
No farm experience is necessary, but a driver’s licence and a safe
driving history is. We also require a minimum commitment of June to
the end of October. (If you aren’t able to commit to these months,
please do not apply.)
If you have a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and past employers
who will give you a glowing reference, please keep reading …
Role
90%: harvesting, washing, sorting, packing, delivering and selling
vegetables (e.g. at farmers’ markets)
10%: weeding, trellising, pruning and other farm tasks, as needed and
as time permits
Terms
• start as soon as possible, end October 31
• $10.25/hour (with an additional $0.75/hour bonus, retroactive for
all hours worked, paid upon contract completion)
• full-time employment for 5 days/week (sometimes with the option to
work more if you choose), possibly including weekends
• work outdoors in all kinds of weather
• be flexible about the length of your work days: we “make hay when
the sun shines,” and that can mean 10 hour days when the weather
demands it
• be available for the entire farm season, from your start date until
the end of October (i.e. no additional time off except for your two
days per week)
• possibility of employment in future seasons at a higher wage
Essential qualifications
• experience working in a fast-paced and/or physically demanding job,
such as being a server, barista or tree planter
• work quickly and efficiently to meet strict deadlines (i.e. can “hustle”)
• available to work overtime as needed, sometimes on the spur of the moment
• physically fit, especially knees and back (e.g. able to lift and
carry 50lb tubs)
• driver’s licence and a safe driving history
• maintain extremely high food safety and quality standards
• quick learner
• accountable and reliable
• work as part of a team and independently
Bonus qualifications
• strong customer service skills and an outgoing personality
• interested in business management
• able to innovate, problem solve and improve efficiencies
How to Apply
** We are currently accepting applications and hiring to fill our
harvest crew positions. Please apply as soon as possible. **
Please email your resume to Brock & Heather McLeod at:
info@makariafarm.com and include a couple of paragraphs:
• introduce yourself
• explain why you are interested in joining our hard-working harvest crew
• list any relevant experience
• mention anything else you think we should know to help us determine
whether you are the right fit for our farm
• let us know when you are available (e.g. “I’m available starting
tomorrow until October 31.”)
About our Farm
Makaria Farm is a commercial-scale, organic vegetable farm located
just south of Duncan in the Cowichan Valley, on Vancouver Island in
British Columbia. We’ve been farming since 2008, and will grow 20-25
acres of crops in 2015. We started farming because we wanted to do
meaningful work, and because we love the challenges of running a farm
business. We value innovation, efficiency, quality and sustainability
(both environmental and financial).
