-- Apply now for one these positions (8 in total) to start work late April/early May 2019  --

Duration: Seasonal - late April/early May to early November, but must be able to commit to working full-time until November 8th.

Description: Wild Flight Farm is seeking energetic individuals with a keen interest in growing organic food to join our 2019 farm team. The work varies from week to week and will include transplanting, weeding, harvesting and preparation of produce for market, among other tasks. Experience is an asset, but we are happy to train people with a positive attitude who are keen to learn new skills. This work is best suited for people who:

- Are physically fit

- Enjoy working outdoors

- Are comfortable bending and kneeling for extended periods of time

- Don't mind getting your hands dirty

- Enjoy working as part of a team to meet deadlines

- Can maintain a positive attitude despite the adverse conditions that outdoor work often involves

- And truly believe that growing organic food is important and meaningful work!

Experience is an asset but we are happy to train people who have a positive attitude and are eager to learn new skills.

Schedule: Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 3:00pm with a half an hour lunch break. During July and August, we add an extra hour per day by starting earlier (6am-3pm).

Accommodation: Applicants should live, or be willing to re-locate to within a 30 minute commute of the farm location in Mara. That includes the communities of Salmon Arm, Enderby, Grindrod or Sicamous. On-farm accommodation is not available.

Remuneration: The starting wage for inexperienced employees is $16.50/hour. A higher starting wage will be considered for applicants with at least one full season of experience working on a vegetable farm. Additionally, there will be a $1/hr raise/review at 3 months. Free organic vegetables available to take home at the end of each day is another benefit of employment on our farm.

How to Apply? Send your resume to Hermann Bruns, by e-mailing hermann@wildflightfarm.ca or fax 250-838-6330. Please include a cover letter describing your motivation to apply for this job and the specific skills/experience you have that match the work description and would prepare you for the challenges of organic vegetable growing.

Application deadline: May 13th, 2019

While we thank all who apply, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
ONLY applications from Canadian residents will be considered.

Find Out More: Click here for a short drone video of the farm. Newsletters posted to the Wild Flight Farm Facebook page contain more photos and descriptions of work on the farm. More farm-life photos on our Instagram page.

Wild Flight Farm is the largest organic market vegetable farm in BC's North Okanagan and has provided local markets with a year-round supply of organic produce for the past 25 years. We grow a wide variety of vegetables (from Asparagus to Zucchini and everything in between) on 12-15 acres each season. Our mission is to efficiently produce high-quality vegetables and culinary herbs for local markets while providing living wages and career advancement opportunities for 12 employees.

The Position:

We are seeking a Field Manager, who (with guidance and training and in consultation with the Farm Manager) will be responsible for carrying out day-to-day vegetable field work. The work includes bed preparation for seeding/planting, mechanical cultivation, and directing up to 10 employees to plant, weed, irrigate, and harvest all field-grown vegetable crops. Familiarity with operating a range of equipment from 80 hp tractors and tillage implements to smaller cultivating tractors is an necessary skill.

The field work starts in April and continues through November with the potential for additional work through the winter, packing and prepping for markets. This position is suited to someone with relevant experience and education in market vegetable production. We are seeking a candidate who is dedicated to organic methods and looking for an opportunity, through a well-established business, to further develop their vegetable production skills.

Responsibilities:

Field Staff Management

• Organize and direct field staff on a daily basis to ensure seeding, planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvest and deadlines are met.
• Work alongside less experienced staff as needed to provide instruction and assist in completing tasks.
• Create, by example, a positive, co-operative and energetic work environment in which productivity and quality are emphasized.

Field Operations

• Assist in developing daily & weekly work plans for successive seedings/plantings of field crops
• Conduct primary tillage operations and final vegetable bed preparation
• Monitor and manage weeding, irrigation and pest/disease control in a timely, pro-active manner
• Carry out weekly mechanical weed control activities
• Apply compost and other materials to maintain soil fertility
• Maintain careful records of all seeding, planting, harvesting and soil inputs.
• Participate in vegetable planting, weeding, harvesting as required

Qualifications and Skills Required:

• Hands-on experience working on a vegetable farm
• Preferably a post-secondary degree or diploma in an agriculture or horticulture-related program
• Basic farm tractor and implement operation skills
• Previous experience managing and overseeing a team of people
• Knowledge of and experience with organic production methods and organic standards
• A positive, can-do attitude and a drive to work quickly and efficiently

Compensation:

• Starting wage from $18 to $22 per hour, depending on experience
• Position is full-time for 8 months with potential for continued work in winter months
• Access to extended health benefits plan after first 3 months
• Paid vacation days
• Access to farm produce, as seasonally available, for personal use

How to Apply?

Send your resume to Hermann Bruns, by e-mailing Hermann@WildFlightFarm.ca.

Please include a cover letter describing your motivation to apply for this job and the specific skills/experience you have that match the work description and skills required.

Application deadline: Closed

While we thank all who apply, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Find Out More: Click here for a short drone video of the farm.

Check out our FaceBook and Instagram pages.

Overview:

The Position:

We are seeking a Farm Manager, who (with guidance and training) will gradually assume responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the farm. The Farm Manager will work in a team environment and in close cooperation with the Field and Greenhouse Managers.

Duties will include organizing and directing employees, managing and tracking the many aspects of vegetable crop production and marketing, and working alongside the farm crew in harvesting and packing as needed. This position is suited to someone with 3 years experience in vegetable production who is dedicated to organic methods and looking for an opportunity, through a well-established business, to make a sustainable living providing good food to the local community.

Responsibilities:

Staff Management

• Assist in the recruitment and hiring of 10 seasonal staff
• Develop daily work plans in consultation with the Field and Greenhouse Managers
• Help organize and direct staff to ensure seeding, planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvest and processing/packing deadlines are met
• Coordinate with Field and Greenhouse Managers to ensure that the farm has all necessary supplies, tools, and equipment.
• Work alongside staff as needed to provide instruction and assist in completing tasks
• Create, by example, a positive, co-operative and energetic work environment in which productivity and quality are emphasized

Farm Operations

• Assist in developing schedules for successive plantings of field crops, and ensure that they are followed
• Help Field Manager coordinate weekly weeding, irrigation and pest/disease control plans
• Monitor quality control of post-harvest handling and packing of produce for markets
• Oversee management of soil fertility though seeding of green manures and other inputs
• Maintain careful records of all planting, harvesting and crop/soil inputs
• Coordinate maintenance and repair of farm tools, equipment, and facilities:

                     5 tractors with assorted field tillage implements
                     12 high tunnels, 1 heated greenhouse
                     7000 sq. ft. packing facility with refrigerated storage rooms
                     Irrigation system with 80 hand-move aluminum pipes
                    2 walk-behind rototillers and assorted hand tools
                    3-ton delivery truck, field van, and employee bicycle fleet