JOIN OUR TEAM!
Hone your skills and have fun with veteran farmers on a charming, well-managed, draft horse-powered organic farm in the beautiful Gatineau hills.
CALL FOR APPLICANTS
Organic Vegetable Market Farmer
- Field production
- Greenhouse production
- Post-harvest and marketing
ABOUT THE FARM
Ferme Lève-tôt is a certified organic vegetable farm located near the village of Wakefield, Quebec in operation since 2010. Our mission is to produce high quality certified organic vegetables using environmentally and socially sustainable methods and to provide a right livelihood and delicious food for our family, farm team and community. We market our vegetables through a 150-share veggie basket program and at the busy Wakefield Market. Since 2015 we’ve worked with a team of draft horses and currently use a combination of mechanical, draft- and human-powered cultivation techniques on a terrain of 5 acres of field and 3 greenhouses.
Our summer team of 4 employees works under the direction of the owners, Richard and Charlotte, who are actively involved in the daily operation of the farm. Our workplace is inclusive, welcoming and focused on mutual support, communication and a sense of personal and collective achievement. We value initiative, personal responsibility, teamwork, and positive energy!
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
- Minimum one season of experience on an organic vegetable farm and/or training or experience in horticulture or vegetable production. We also value experience in landscaping, tree planting, outdoor trades and any work requiring grit and hustle.
- Valid driver’s licence (personal vehicle recommended)
- Bilingual in english and french
- Physically fit and motivated to work in challenging weather conditions
- Organised, efficient, proactive and with good time management
- Constructive communicator, team worker with a positive attitude
WORK RESPONSIBILITIES
Some farm work is collective in nature and employees are expected to contribute to all aspects of farm work, including daily chores and meetings, throughout the season. Employees may also take on specific roles and responsibilities determined by experience, career goals, personal skills and the balance of tasks.
Please let us know if you have specific interests, goals or competences. For example:
- You have a specific interest in working with horses,
- You are a highly experienced farm worker interested in management or a long-term contract,
- You are a student eligible for a paid internship for school credit.
FIELD PRODUCTION
- Coordinate with the field to implement the crop plan, seeding and transplant schedule, and help determine priorities for cultivation, crop maintenance and harvesting,
- Prepare beds using manual and mechanical tools and install seasonal materials and infrastructure, including row cover, geotextile, tunnels, irrigation, trellis, etc.
- Establish and maintain field crops, including seeding, transplanting, cultivation, etc.
- Operate machinery and irrigation systems,
- Observe, scout and treat for pests, diseases and other phytosanitary issues,
- Record seeding, planting, cultivation and harvest data.
- General farm and building maintenance including mowing, tool maintenance, fence repair, etc.,
- Harvest and post-harvest.
GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION
- Coordinate with the manager to implement the crop plan, seeding and transplant schedule, and help determine priorities for cultivation, crop maintenance and harvesting,
- Produce and maintain seedlings and transplants, including seeding, watering, fertilising, potting up, etc.
- Prepare beds and install seasonal materials and infrastructure, including irrigation, geotextile, trellis, supports, etc.
- Establish and maintain greenhouse crops, including transplanting, trellising, pruning, etc.
- Observe, scout and treat for pests, diseases and other phytosanitary issues,
- Record seeding, planting, cultivation and harvest data.
- Harvest and post-harvest, including washing, packing, labelling, etc.,
POST-HARVEST AND MARKETING
- Coordinate with the manager and other employees to implement the harvest, post-harvest and marketing plans and help determine priorities for increasing efficiency in the post-harvest and storage facilities and marketing venues,
- Harvest and post-harvest including washing, sorting, weighing, packing, labelling, etc.,
- Record harvest, storage and sales data,
- Manage orders and prepare deliveries to basket distribution points and market,
- Manage weekly inventory and maintain post-harvest and storage facilities,
- Set up, host and sell at basket distribution points, farm store and farmer’s market.
SALARY AND HOURS
- Hourly wage to be determined according to experience, training and responsibilities.
- 35 to 45 hours/week (we are open to part-time schedules)
- The work day is 7:30am to 4:30pm with one hour unpaid lunch. Hours may vary according to the season and weather
- 1 or 2 Thursday evenings (4h) a month paid for basket deliveries
- 1 or 2 Saturday mornings (6h) a month paid for market
- One week non-paid vacation planned in advance
BENEFITS
- Weekly veggie basket or equivalent ($38/week value)
- Access to vegetables from the farm’s surplus
- Access to a 3-season staff kitchen
- Access to our farm library and participation in local farm tours and events
- On farm accommodation is not guaranteed, however a cabin, canvas tent or trailer space may be available
To apply please send your CV and cover letter to Charlotte Scott and Richard Williams at fermelevetot @ gmail.com