VEGETABLE MARKET GARDENING / FARMING

Position: Organic fruit & vegetable gardening / farming
Employer: Cedar Glen Farm / YMCA of Greater Toronto

Location: Downsview Park, North York, GTA, Ontario
Salary: $17/hour

– OR – 

Location: Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre, near Schomberg, GTA, Ontario
Housing: optional on-site accommodation available
Salary: $17/hour plus optional free accommodation and meals

Nature and scope

YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre is a 263-acre site that provides year round outdoor education and summer day camp experiences that foster personal growth and build community for guests of all ages. Cedar Glen is home to a 4 acre certified organic farm that provides fruits and vegetables to our Food Services department and a Community Supported Agriculture program. Cedar Glen is also home to an apiary focused on organic honey production, and a small organic maple syrup program. The farm presents an educational opportunity for day campers and outdoor education participants throughout the year. In addition, the Cedar Glen farm team is responsible for the operation of a 0.48-acre urban farm plot located at Downsview Park.

The Farm Team is responsible for following the farm plan, organizing and carrying out the day-to-day tasks related to crop production while utilizing organic farming practices. The position provides the highest quality vegetables to all customers (Harvest Share members, Food Service staff, and on-site and off-site farm stand customers).

Responsibilities

• Implement the annual farm plan by planting, transplanting, maintaining and harvesting successions of fruits vegetables on our 4-acre organic farm.
• As a team effort, plans expected harvests and organizes distribution of actual harvests.
• Supports farm operations and education on a regular basis based on needs of the farm.
• Proactively supports Farm Coordinator, Farm Workers, and other farm team members.
• Ensures that the daily operation of the farm as set by the team is carried out and recorded (i.e. tilling, planting, irrigating, weeding, harvesting, washing and to market, cleaning farm spaces and supplies)
• Tracks and records all farm production related activities in farm log. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Formal or informal training in organic agriculture, horticulture, gardening, landscaping, or a related field
• Minimum of 2 full seasons with a team of employees and using practical skills for organic market gardening is an asset
• Well-developed interpersonal, and relationship building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with staff team, members, customers and volunteers
• Routinely perform hard physical labour on a regular basis
• Flexibility to work days, evenings, weekends and holidays
• Must have a personal arrangement to commute to the farm. YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre is not accessible by public transit
• Standard first aid and CPR is an asset
• Ability to use frequent light to medium physical effort: lifting up to 20 kg (44 lbs.)

Please send cover letter and résumé quoting Job posting #1468 to:

Derek Matson
Director, Food Services
Cedar Glen YMCA Outdoor Centre
Email: derek.matson@ymcagta.org

Job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required.

If you are hired, prior to your start date and as a condition of your employment, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a valid medical or other Human Rights Code-related exemption.

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