Local food, Local farms

Hiring: Greenhouse Labourer (1 vacancy)
Employer: Chicory Blue General Store, Inc.

Location: Blockhouse and Bridgewater, Nova Scotia (on site)
Housing: On-ste housing options. If you don't live nearby and would need accommodations, please mention this in your resume.

$19.34/hr x 35 hours per week, Permanent employment, Full time, Early morning, Evening, Morning, On call, Day, Weekend, Overtime required, Starts as soon as possible, On-Site Housing Options

ABOUT OUR FARM-TO-TABLE OPERATION

Chicory Blue General Store is the garden centre and store that distributes seeds, plants and produce we grow in our greenhouse, nursery, raised beds, and fruit trees at our Blockhouse, Nova Scotia location and on our farm site in Baker Settlement on the South Shore. 

Our farm includes 18 cleared acres, 1.5 of which being fenced and under cultivation as a market garden, as well as two greenhouses, an orchard of both nut and fruit trees, extensive perennial plantings, two root cellars, a chicken house, a small apiary, animal shelters, a tractor shed, a winter barn for animals, two caterpillar tunnels, an irrigation system, a tractor, and many hand and power tools. We are equipped with a wind generator, solar panels and a tie-in to NS Power. 

Our current focus is growing a variety of heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, melons, herbs and specialty crops that are popular with our customers. Many of our open-pollinated heirloom varieties cannot be sourced elsewhere. 

In the recent past we have raised many animals from sheep and chickens to ducks and turkeys. With more than 15 acres of prime pasture and meadow along with two irrigation ponds, and a dedication to creating our own farm compost for our gardening needs, we would happily accommodate the re-introduction of livestock to the farm once we have the staff to care for them. 

We are proud of our long history of serving our community through farmers’ markets, a CSA, school field trips, workshops, Open Farm Days and donations of food to local community organizations. We incorporate Biodynamic and organic methods in our farming practice and are always aware of soil health in our farm choices.

JOB OVERVIEW

Languages

• English

Minimum Level of Education Required

• Secondary (high) school graduation certificate or equivalent experience
• Training will be provided on the job for specialized tasks

Experience/Level of Expertise

• 1 year to less than 2 years farm work experience
• 1 year to less than 2 years of machine and tool repair and maintenance experience
• 1 year to less than 2 years computer experience including working with spreadsheets, word processors and automatization software

The work site environment:

• Floriculture production
• Outdoors
• At heights
• Confined spaces
• Wed/damp
• Odours
• Hot
• Cold/refrigerated
• Non-smoking

Work Setting

• The various locations are in a rural, remote area. 
• Candidate must be willing to relocate. 
• Staff accommodation provided. 
• Repair and maintenance services.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a Greenhouse Labourer who will take on a full range of tasks at our two agricultural locations in Nova Scotia. The successful candidate is expected to work under the supervision of the Chef and General Manager of the Chicory Blue produce and seed store and farm-to-table restaurant to plant crops that will best meet the needs of the nursery, garden centre, farm, store, restaurant and seed catalogue.

The Greenhouse Labourer will be responsible for seed starting, potting up and transplanting, bed preparation, direct seeding, cultivation, succession sowing, irrigation and harvesting of all crops from our greenhouses and gardens as well as ordering any seeds, tools or inputs needed for the growing seasons. (The cost of all necessary purchases is covered by the farm/store owner.) We would like to reintroduce livestock to the farm, so experience in animal husbandry is also necessary.

Our hope is to find someone who is interested in staying over time to develop and deepen these relationships between our farm operation and farm product distribution outlet.

Job requirements and qualifications

Applicants should have practical knowledge, based on past hands-on experience, of gardening, farming, carpentry as well as the operation and repair of farm equipment including hand tools, tillers, irrigation systems, tractors and mowers. The ability to work hard physically in the outdoors regardless of weather, and to cooperate with a farm team including the owner, managers, supervisor, other labourers, volunteers and/or apprentices is a must, as is a sense of humour!

All applications must be submitted by March 24, 2026 at the latest. The position will begin asap. We hope the successful candidate will stay in the position long term.

Tasks

• Maintain the productivity of the garden beds 
• Level earth to fine grade specifications
• Operate climate controls
• Mix and prepare soils
• Plant bulbs and seeds
• Pot and re-pot plants
• Transplant seedlings or rooted cuttings
• Operate, maintain and repair farm machinery and equipment
• Perform general farm duties
• Organize tasks to accomplish the work
• Maintain deer fencing and deer exclusion zones
• Maintain a clean and orderly environment in greenhouse and fields
• Clean up racks, trays, and harvest bins and generally maintain growing, producing and packing areas
• Clear the fields and other work areas
• Remove manually all suckers and water sprouts
• Tie and secure plants
• Train trees to produce more fruit of higher quality
• Weeding
• Prune tomatoes, cucumber and other plants, trees, shrubs and crops as needed
• Thin carrot, beet and other seedlings as needed
• Monitor plants for healthy growth and potential weed, insect, disease, and fertilizer problems in crops
• Assist in grafting activities
• Dig up wrapping rootballs of trees and shrubs
• Water and tend to plants, lawns and/or gardens
• Hoe crops
• Use best practices for organic seed starting, germination and propagation of all crops
• Harvest horticultural crops
• Harvest, thresh, clean, dry and package agricultural seed crops when mature and select for seed saving and sale at our garden centre
• Hand harvest vegetables
• Examine product for quality and its readiness for the market
• Separate and grade produce as needed
• Prepare harvested produce using best practices of post harvest handling 
• Sort, weigh and pack seeds, fruit, vegetables and plants
• Load, unload and transfer crates, supplies, farm produce and products for transport
• Animal husbandry and shepherding; identify animals that require veterinary care and oversee the process
• Maintain work logs and quality control and production records

Experience and specialization

Type of product

• Native plants
• Perennials
• Bedding plants
• Berry bushes
• Fruit trees
• Mushrooms
• Ornamental trees, shrubs and hedges
• Seasonal plants
• Tropical plants
• Vegetables

Type of crops

• Artisanal crops
• Asparagus
• Bell peppers
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflowers
• Cucumbers
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Greenhouse tomatoes
• Greenhouse vegetables
• Herbs
• Melons
• Onions
• Sweet corn
• Tomatoes
• Zucchinis
• Microgreens

Equipment and machinery experience

• Chain saw
• Garden tractors
• Irrigation pumps and equipment
• Mechanical sprayer
• Light trucks

Additional information

Security and safety

• Criminal record check

Transportation/travel information

• Drive manual transmission vehicle

Work Conditions and physical capabilities

• Fast-paced environment
• Handling heavy loads
• Standing for extended periods
• Large workload
• Hand-eye coordination
• Repetitive tasks
• Physically demanding
• Bending, crouching, kneeling
• Attention to detail

Weight handling

• Up to 45 kg/100 lbs
• More than 45 kg/100 lbs

Personal suitability

• Reliability
• Efficient interpersonal skills
• Team player

Welcome to apply are members of underrepresented groups in the labour market, such as:

• vulnerable youth
• Indigenous peoples
• newcomers to Canada, and
• asylum seekers with valid work permits

Methods to Apply:

• Email chicorybluejobs@gmail.com with your resume and a cover letter including:
• Job reference number: CB-2025-L-01
• The answers to the following questions:
  • Are you authorized to work in Canada?
  • Are you available for shift or on-call work?
  • Are you available to start on the date listed in the job posting?
  • Are you willing to relocate for this position?
  • Do you have experience working in this field?
  • Do you meet the language requirements listed in the job posting?
  • What is the highest level of education you have completed? Please provide the name of the institution.
  • Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.

We look forward to hearing from you!