Organic farming

Hiring: Organic Market Farmer (full-season)
Farm: Aldergrove Organic Farm

Location: Mount Forest, Ontario
Housing: affordable on-farm accommodation is available. There are also some potential off farm options. See detailed description below

We are an organic market farm located in Grey County Ontario, Establish in 2016. We grow a wide variety of high quality vegetables, herbs and cut flowers for busy farmers markets and restaurants in downtown Toronto.

This year we are seeking three new people to join our dynamic crew of six.

Ideal applicant understands and enjoys working outdoors under all weather conditions; is physically fit and able to perform tasks for long periods of time (including lifting heavy bins, repetitive tasks, standing and squatting, walking); learns quickly; follows directions; pays close attention to detail; enjoys working with others and by themselves; is curious with an interest in plant-based food production.

Some physical work experience is absolutley necessary. The applicant should feel confident in their ability to work efficiently and to work alongside others in a team.

This year we have a strong management team of three experienced farmers and are feeling inspired about the team model and crop plan.

Accommodation and Social Culture

Housing:

Affordable on-farm accommodation is available. There are also some potential off farm options. See detailed description below

Our farm is located in beautiful Grey County close to lakes, rivers, hiking trails and a thriving organic farming community (2 hours from Toronto, 1 hour from Guelph, Kitchener/Waterloo, Collingwood, Owen Sound, Orangeville). The farm is on 75 acres of hilly wild meadows, wetland, hardwood and cedar forests. We keep mixed livestock for personal use and a small apiary, though the vast majority of the land is kept as “permacultural zone 5” in an effort to nourish local wildlife habitat and promote biodiversity.

Our accommodation is unique in that we have a central shared staff kitchen, shower, laundry, wifi and power access and charge a small fee for the use of these centralized facilities ($100/mo per person).

Sleeping arrangements can then be as rustic or comfortable as suits each individual’s needs. We find the balance of privacy and community a great combination.

Cabins: This year we have two cabin options:

Beautiful small (10’x10’ with sleeping loft) insulated, 4-season, cabin with heat and hydro, available for rent overlooking our pond and back forests. Fully furnished. $250/mo

Brand new 270 sq ft tiny house with loft, bath, kitchen and covered porch. $500/mo

BYOA: Bring your own trailer, tent, yurt, tiny house, etc. -OR- you can camp out in the homestead in the back. There is a camper shoolie there with solar power and all basic amenities. It’s rustic though. No additional charge to the $100/mo centralized facility fee.

We feel our accommodation options are pretty nice and we don’t profit off them.

Local off-farm accommodations may also be available, just ask us.

Leisure: We have a recreation pond for swimming after long hot days in the field. As well as a wood fired sauna which is particularly nice during the cold season. Previous employees have enjoyed spending weekends and evenings canoeing and swimming local rivers and lakes, hiking, rural thrifting, preserving food, hunkering down with a book, spending the weekend in Toronto, having “family dinners” with farm residents, and visiting nearby farms.

Staff and residents have access to loads of fresh organic vegetables and oftentimes farm fresh eggs from our farm. Local cow share programs and other things like that also possible.

We are part of a thriving small organic farm community with a number of established, like-minded farms of different styles with young farm employees, interns and incubator farms. We think of them as an extended social and working culture for our staff to explore if desired.

A number of our employees have returned to work multiple seasons. Some, to start their own farm projects under our guidance and with the use of the land and infrastructure. Of our six years of employing people, we’ve now had six staff who have continued on to start their own farm.

We are currently hiring for 3 out of 6 farm team positions.

Full-Season Farm Employee

• April 20 - November 1st 2023 (FLEXIBLE START/FINISH)
• 7-9hrs/day, 5 days/week.(M-F)
• 3 positions available
• Starting wage $20-25/hr. (wage rubric determines wage based on experience)

To apply:

Send us an email to aldrgrv@gmail.com with Subject "Employment 2026" and answer the following:

1) Your phone number and current address.

2) Are you between the ages of 18 and 30? (not required)

3) What is your availability in the time frame for the position you are applying for? Are you interested in any particular aspect of the farm (cutflowers for example)?

4) Do you have any prior commitments that would bar you from working any days during the season?

5) How do you like to stay fit?

6) List all work experience (or attach resume).

7) Are you available to come to the farm for an interview?

8) Do you have a current drivers licence (G2 or G)?

9) Do you have access to a vehicle for the season?

10) Are you a Canadian citizen?

11) Do you require on-farm accommodation?

12) Why do you want to work at Aldergrove and what particular skills do you think you can bring to the 2026 team? Tell us anything else you think we might want to know about you. Nothing formal, we want to get a sense of who you are.

Please indicate you saw this posting at FoodWork.ca.

Eligible applicants will be asked to schedule an interview at their soonest convenience. References will also likely be requested.

Find us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aldergrovefarm/

LGTBQ+

Thank you for considering the position and we look forward to hearing from you. Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have regarding the job/application and we’ll do our best to get back to you in a timely manner. We will respond to all applicants.

-Fraser

We acknowledge that the land on which we farm is the traditional territory of the Annishnaabek Nation: the People of the Three Fires known as Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomie Nations. And further give thanks to the Chippewas of Saugeen, and then Cheppewas of Nawash, now known as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, as the traditional keepers of this land.

Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.