Type: Full-time position, room and board, stipend (details below)
Organization: Whole Circle Farm
Location: Acton, GTA, Ontario
If you’re ready for a full, hands-on experience that will immerse you in
ecological farming then you’ve come to the right place. A farming internship
experience can change your life! Whether your dream i
s to have your own organic
farm one day or you just want to learn some food-growing and hands-on skills
that can be applied in other parts of your life, a farming internship is a
powerful experience that will equip you with the tools and insights to make a
real difference in the world.
Whole Circle Farm is seeking two to three interns to work in our ~6.5 acre
garden for the 2016 season. Our garden feeds a 200 member Community Supported
Agriculture program and 2 farmers’ markets. While the internship experience
focuses on vegetable production, opportunities to work with our pastured
livestock can be made available for those who are interested. This is a very
demanding, highly rewarding opportunity!
About Whole Circle Farm
Whole Circle Farm is a wholly diversified family-style organic and biodynamic
farm run by Maggie and Johann Kleinsasser. We are located between Georgetown
and Guelph (20 minute drive from both) in Acton. Our business operations
include forty head of 100% grass-fed cattle, heritage pastured Tamworth pigs,
pastured chickens and a 6.5 acre garden. The garden grows over 80 types of
vegetables and supports a 200-member CSA and two markets (Downtown Georgetown
and Wychwood Barns, Toronto) in the summer, and a 100-member CSA and two
markets (Wychwood Barns and Toronto Botanical Gardens) through the winter and
spring.
Position: Intern
# of positions: Three
Duration: March 2016 to December 2016
Reports to: Garden Manager and Co-Managers
Position Overview
General fieldwork pertaining to all aspects of growing organic vegetables from
seeding in the greenhouse, transplanting seedlings, weeding, harvesting,
post-harvest handling, selling at farmers’ markets, processing food for the
winter, and more. Interns will work as strong team players with other interns,
farm volunteers, garden staff, garden managers and farm managers.
Work Schedule and Compensation
While the hours will vary through the season, one can expect to work 60 hours
each week.
• Stipend of $200 / month
• Room (includes private room in shared house, utilities, phone, internet,
laundry)
• Board (organic food sourced as locally as possible)
• Shared access to the farm vehicles
• One week paid vacation
• Two personal days
• Educational opportunities throughout the season including field trips, CRAFT
days (http://www.craftsouthwestontario.ca),
in-field experiential education and seminar-style sessions on particular topics
(including selling at farmers markets, seed saving, pasturing livestock,
biodynamics, and more!)
Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong work ethic
• Collaborative and reliable team player
• Openness and commitment to learning about ecological farming
• Ability to take and follow direction from supervisors
• Ability to practice good time management
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently
• Most work tasks are performed outdoors – must be able to work outside for
long hours in the peak of summer heat and winter cold performing various tasks
• Ability to lift 50lbs for short periods of time
Assets
• Experience on a comparable market garden farm, growing for CSA and markets
• Experience with Non-Violent Communication
• Experience with tractors and garden implements
To apply:
Please send a completed application form, resume, cover letter, and two
workplace references to Johann Kleinsasser (contact information below). The
addition of two communal living references is welcome but not required.
Contact: Johann Kleinsasser, Farm Founder & Manager
Email: johann@wholecirclefarm.ca
Phone: 519-856-1384
Website: http://www.wholecirclefarm.ca
