URBAN HOMESTEADING

Urban Farm/Herbal Apothecary - Production Apprenticeship

Role: Apprenticeship at an Urban Herb Farm (not a job)
Live-in option: Partial rent subsidy in exchange for hours worked
Farm: Wild By Nature Botanicals
Location: east Toronto, Ontario
Also seeking: Garden Volunteer

This is a unique opportunity to experience hands-on learning at an Urban Herb Farm and learn all aspects of a herbal products business. You will be immersed in our unique culture and learn about our business strategy, structures and how community plays a central role.

This would be a great fit for someone enthusiastic and curious about herb farming, who wants to gain a better understanding of how to harness their healing properties for everyday use.

About us:

Wild By Nature is a permaculture Urban Homestead in east Toronto, which grows over 70 different varieties of herbs. We garden organically and follow biodynamic practices.

We offer workshops and community focused mentoring as well as a volunteer program.

We also operate a bioregional apothecary (using only the herbs we grow) to formulate our thoughtfully crafted botanical skincare, herbal tisanes, culinary seasonings and herbal remedies which we sell in our community, at the farmers market, select retailers and from our online shop.

Our mission:

We guide earth lovers living in the fast paced city to reconnect to their own rhythm in relationship with nature. We strongly believe it is possible and vital to grow your own food and medicine in the city.

Background of your mentor:

Maria Solakofski cultivates the growing potential in everyone she meets. She is a mentor of everything herbal, a guide for botanical wellness, organic gardening, nutrition and healthy lifestyle practices, community building, self-sufficiency and homesteading in the city. She is an ecological pioneer who has been involved in the local food community for over 25 years.

About you:

• innately curious
• passionate about organic herb farming and medicine-making
• possess a sense of humor
• able to be part of a team and work independently
• can work on repetitive tasks, with a penchant for efficiency
• affinity for attention to detail, along with awareness of the bigger picture
• self motivated with a solution seeking attitude
• respond well to feedback

Expectations:

We are looking for an apprentice in production who can support the herbal apothecary business in the next stage of growth.

You will be involved in all aspects of our herbal products business, including: plant care and harvesting, formulating, bottling, design and print of labeling, recording stock, supply ordering, accounting, communication, preparing orders, and website maintenance.

In addition to the operations of the herbal apothecary, you will be expected to attend a minimum of one of our 3 hour community garden sessions per week – which we offer to volunteers and people participating in our mentoring program. This is above and beyond the 10 hours/week of production work. Working in the garden is an integral part of the puzzle. We seek an apprentice who is committed to cultivate relationships with the plant and people communities we tend to.

A bonus for us would be if you had skills and interest with photography, content creation/story telling, and making flyers.

Compensation:

Beyond the invaluable experience and submerged learning opportunity, the community supports and the 1-1 mentoring with Maria, the chosen apprentice will be provided their own bedroom and shared use of our fully furnished 2 bedroom basement apartment. You would be sharing the apartment with an easy going woman who has been working in the garden with us for the last three seasons.

From May - November there will be subsidized rent — $600/month all inclusive- ( $400 in subsidy in exchange for 10 hours/week of work).

If you choose to stay on with us, December-April rent is $1000/month all inclusive.

How to apply:

If you think you would excel at certain tasks, but not everything we outlined- we encourage you to still apply.

Please express your interest by submitting a plentiful synopsis of yourself to mariasolakofski (at) gmail (dot) com and include:

• What are your goals with your learning and time here?
• What values and experiences will you share with us?
• Tell us about how you stay mentally and physically fit.
• Include your résume if you wish, but not at all necessary.

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.

You can find out more by visiting our webpage: Wild By Nature Botanicals. We will do our best to be in touch with every applicant.

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.