SUSTAINABLE FARMING PROGRAM

Position: Young Agripreneur Farming/ Logistics Job Posting- 1 Position
Organization: Clearwater Farm/ Ontario Water Centre
Location: Willow Beach, Georgina, Lake Simcoe, Ontario. Subsidized local housing available for participants.
Type: Learning opportunity with stipend, housing, more (see below)

Welcome to Clearwater Farm’s Young Agripreneur Program

ClearWater Farm’s Young Agripreneur Program is designed to support young people who wish to prepare themselves for a leadership position in regenerative agriculture, either through running their own (or someone else’s) farm or overseeing marketing operations. The Program is a multi-year experiential learning opportunity that takes individuals from developing physical skills and basic farming knowledge (year one), through increasingly independent work (years 2-3) with opportunities in years 3-5 to access increasing amounts of land to be farmed for their own account. Following a successful first year, participants gain access to supporting education to provide an intellectual framework for the practical skills they are developing. Interested candidates who already have prior years of sustainable farming experience can apply for second or third-year status in our program, enabling them to access land more quickly. The program can support participants by providing access to a financial stipend, subsidized local housing, shared equipment, and mentorship.

Duties and Responsibilities- Farming

First year participants will be involved in all farming-related tasks - from seed to harvest, wash/pack and delivery. Main duties include:

• Seeding and transplanting crops
• Crop maintenance, soil cultivation and fertilization program.
• Weed and pest management strategies.
• Harvesting, processing, packing, and distributing vegetables through the weekly basket program, wholesale orders and farm stand.
• Preparing beds for direct seeding and transplanting in the early season
• ‘Flipping Beds’ efficiently to prepare for a second crop
• Preparing compost and compost tea for fertilizing crops and soil
• Maintaining greenhouse crops

• Preparing the harvest for customers with different wash/pack protocols

• Maintaining a clean work environment

Duties and Responsibilities- Logistics

• Processing weekly food basket program
• Processing Wholesale customer orders
• Optimizing delivery routes for drivers
• Inventory for packaging

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to work in all weather conditions
• Detail and accuracy oriented
• Can lift up to 50lbs.
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Team player

Preference for candidates with previous experience in vegetable farming, market gardening, farming machinery; a passion about environmental health and about building a better food system for Ontario

Year 2-3 Agripreneurs

For candidates with previous experience in sustainable farming, we are looking for farmers who would be interested in specializing in the following:

• Greenhouse/nursery management - ensuring greenhouse/nursery schedules are carried out and taking a special role in maintaining optimal greenhouse conditions for all crops.
• Field management experience with tractors and mechanical components; field preparation for bed crops; maintenance of cover crops.
• Logistics–-ensuring smooth packing and delivery of our food to all customers.
• Marketing--assisting in building a food brand and telling our food story.
• Farm stand--connecting with and selling to the community at our weekly Friday and Saturday Farm stand.

Salary; Renumeration with experience

Start Date May 3, 2021

End Date October 28, 2021

Apply to hr@ontariowatercentre.ca with your resume, note position you are apply for

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.

Clearwater Farm a project of the Ontario Water Centre is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity. We also acknowledge we reside on the traditional territory of Anishinabewaki, Haudenosaunee and Mississauga peoples.