Grow food/ gardening/ urban farming

Hiring: Field Worker
Project: North Field Food Farm
Location: Guelph, Ontario

Field Worker Position Overview

The North Field Food Farm is an 8-acre peri urban farm, located only 5 km from downtown Guelph. This unique community farm project operated by Hope House Guelph, includes a 1-acre market garden consisting of 196, 30-inch x 50-foot permanent beds and the 4000 square foot Well Being Garden which is being developed for therapeutic horticulture programming. The market garden operation supplies fresh produce to the Hope House Food Markets, The Better Food Co (a social enterprise of Hope House) and other food security organizations in Guelph on a weekly basis, throughout the growing season. All this food is provided for free to these markets or organizations.

The farm team consists of one individual who fills the role of Community Farmer & Registered Horticultural Therapist along with 1 Field Worker. The Community Farmer works alongside the Field Worker and volunteers, to prepare, plant and maintain the garden beds and the Well Being garden according to organic standards. For the 2025 growing season, we plan to have approximately ½ acre in production with the remainder in cover crop.

The North Field Food Farm serves vulnerable people in Guelph. The Field Worker plays a crucial role in ensuring that the Food Market has fresh produce throughout the growing season and that the community members who come to the farm to participate in therapeutic gardening activities and/or the production process, experience success in a friendly, inclusive and supportive environment. We rely heavily on volunteer support for operations. All members of the farm team contribute to providing a welcoming gathering place for the community.

The Field Worker will be trained and supported to operate a BCS tractor with a variety of implements. This is human scaled farming with the majority of the farm tasks being done by hand. The work is physical and the pace can be fast at times with frequently shifting task priorities to meet daily conditions. We are on a continuous learning curve, constantly striving & evolving to improve our methods.

Ideal candidates will have farming or gardening experience, display an aptitude for performing physically and mentally demanding labour in all weather conditions, and be flexible and adaptable to rapidly changing task priorities. Physical stamina, ability to follow detailed instructions, great observational skills and a positive attitude are great skills for the job. Ideal candidates must demonstrate an ability to work with and show sensitivity to those who have experienced trauma, mental health challenges, addictions and/or poverty. They should enjoy encouraging and instructing volunteers on how to complete production tasks such as prepping, planting, weeding, mulching, harvesting and washing veggies. An interest or background in social work, psychology or recreational therapy is an asset. Experience and comfort using power tools to complete small projects is an asset.

Duties and responsibilities

• Operate BCS to build/maintain permanent beds
• Plant, harvest and clean produce according to Organic and Food Safety protocols
• Weeding and pest control
• Set up & maintain drip irrigation system (training provided)
• Problem solve production and infrastructure challenges (support provided)
• Encourage and support volunteers in production tasks (planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and post-harvest field clean up)
• Provide a welcoming space for individuals to develop self-confidence and personal skills
• Other duties as assigned

Healthy and Safety

• Maintain an appropriate Standard First Aid including Naloxone and CPR certifications
• Help ensure that activities are conducted in a safe manner by staff, volunteers and community members

Direct reports

• Some supervision of volunteers

Qualifications

• Experience farming/gardening or other outdoor work
• Ability to work independently as well as operating as part of a cohesive team
• Works well outside in all weather, at a good pace
• Commitment to Health & Safety
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 lbs, load and unload produce onto delivery vehicle
• Ability to establish healthy working relationships and maintain strong boundaries with community members
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Strong organization skills
• Commitment to the vision, mission and core values of Hope House
• A valid vulnerable sector criminal record check will be required by the successful candidate
• Hold or willing to obtain current Standard First Aid, CPR and Naloxone from an accredited organization
• Working knowledge of poverty (i.e. generational, situational, working poor)
• Experience working with marginalized individuals and groups
• Provision of a vulnerable sector police check

Compensation and Details

• 780 hours contract working 10-20 hours per week in April and 30 hours/week May-October
• Monday to Friday mornings, may include some weekend work from May-October
• Start Date: Monday, April 7, 2025
• End Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
• Hourly rate: $21.30/hr
• This position is located at the North Field Food Farm (5484 Hwy 6, Guelph ON)

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Hope House is an equal opportunities employer, committed to employment equity. We value diversity and invite all qualified candidates to apply. We welcome team members with the knowledge and skills to productively work with diverse communities. Hope House values lived experience alongside educational and workplace experience. Feel free to highlight your lived experience in your application, as you feel comfortable, as it will help us consider your application in a holistic way.

About Hope House

Hope House serves vulnerable people in Guelph – the unhoused and housed, the employed and the unemployed, those suffering a new, bewildering setback and those dealing with chronic, more complicated issues of poverty.

All our programs and services are delivered in support of our vision and mission while living out our values of dignity, belonging, and empowerment. Our goal is to foster a greater level of independence by delivering front-line services and support that allow our community members to maintain their dignity and choice. This is accomplished through a diverse range of programs and services including a choice-based Food and Clothing Market, Healthy Living programming, the Guelph Community Backpack Project, a daily Café, Affordable Gift Market, and other programs supporting all Guelph residents (including children) living in poverty.

Vision: Supporting our community to achieve their fullest potential.

Mission: We increase the well-being of vulnerable adults, youth and children through the provision of immediate relief and ongoing support.

Values – Dignity, Belonging, and Empowerment

• Dignity: We believe every person matters.
• Belonging: We offer spaces and a community where people feel welcomed, encouraged, safe and supported.
• Empowerment: We support community members in developing their voice and skills so that they are able to find the resources they need.

Next Steps

Please email your cover letter and resume, specifying Field Worker in the subject line, to garden@hopehouseguelph.ca by 11:59 pm Friday, March 21, 2025

Please include in your cover letter the answer to the question, “Why do you believe you are a good fit for this role?”

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.