Community Farms

Job Description: Crop Farm Labourer - Harvesting
Reports to: Farm Manager
Organization: Start Me Up Niagara
Location: Vineland, Niagara Region, Ontario

Position Summary:

The position offers the opportunity for individuals to directly apply their skills and make a difference in improving food security to people living in poverty. The successful candidate will participate in the food production-distribution-consumption chain. Using knowledge in horticulture or agriculture, they will work with a team of employees, participants, and volunteers to plan, plant, cultivate, and harvest produce from Start Me Up Niagara's 2-acre farm. In addition, they will help cultivate, harvest, and distribute produce to the center's kitchen/feeding programs, other community partners, and to people living in poverty seeking affordable fresh produce. Education in horticulture, farming/community garden procedures, and/or food security is required.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7:45am – 3:15pm with an expected 35 hours of work per week; days of work may vary due to the nature of the position and community farm. The rate of pay is $18.00 per hour.

As part of the team, you will help SMUN meet its program objectives. This position has a variety of responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Farm Manager in daily operations
  • Assist with crop planting
  • Insect and weed control
  • Cultivation and growing without the use of pesticides
  • Irrigation
• Field preparation, seeding, and planting seedlings, watering, weeding, mulching, harvesting, and record keeping
• Grass cutting, and rototilling
• Help maintain the farm with the help of staff and volunteers
• Cooperate with community partners
• Help harvest, market, and deliver

Qualifications:

• Able to work outdoors for extended periods of time, in a variety of weather conditions
• Able to work and perform heavy repetitive physical work
• Some evening or weekend hours may be required for special events
• Current driver’s license and a clean driving record
• Comfortable operating farm equipment
• Good interpersonal skills
• Experience working in a team environment with proven leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within groups
• Demonstrated good organizational and record-keeping skills
• Demonstrated farm experience and working knowledge of farm infrastructure
• Experience in growing using organic principles
• Experience working with farm machinery
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to repeatedly lift 50 pounds
• Self-motivated, cooperative and flexible

Requirements:

• Education or volunteering experience in horticulture or farming or willingness to learn
• Exposure to persons facing barriers especially as related to mental health, substance use, and trauma
• Strong written, interpersonal, and oral communication skills in English
• Demonstrated skills in problem-solving and decision-making under pressure
• Ability to work as a team or independently with little supervision
• Satisfactory police clearance with a Vulnerable Sector query
• Must be qualified to legally work in Canada

How to Apply:

Applicants are invited to email a cover letter and resume with the subject line “Crop Farm Labourer” to hr@startmeupniagara.ca

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

SMUN is an equal-opportunity Employer. In compliance with AODA, this job posting is available in an alternate format upon request. To request disability accommodation, please contact Start Me Up Niagara via telephone at 905 984 5310 ext. 107.

We thank all candidates for their interest in advance.

Due to volume we will only be contacting those selected for an interview.