Organic mixed farming

Positions: Organic farming / Farm worker
Farm: Grounded Acres Organic Farm
Location: Gibsons, Sunshine Coast BC

Hiring two seasonal, full-time positions.

We are looking to hire two farm workers for the 2025 season, who will work closely within our team of 7 as we expand our capacity to provide food for our community this year. Farm workers are involved in the wide variety of tasks involved in operating a mixed produce and livestock farm. Ideal candidates are comfortable in a fast-paced work environment, are capable of working a physically demanding job at full-time hours, and have good communication skills.

About our farm

Grounded Acres Organic Farm is a small-scale, mixed produce and livestock farm currently growing on 3 acres in unceded Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory in Gibsons, on the Sunshine Coast of BC. The produce we grow and laying hens we raise are certified organic under the BC Certified Organic Program, using agricultural practices that regenerate and contribute to the health of our ecosystem. We sell through a weekly farmers’ market, farm stand, box program, and wholesale.

We are a queer-run farm established in 2021 with values rooted in food justice and creating safer spaces in agriculture for folks who identify as 2SLGTBQ+. Co-owners Mel and Hannah have decades of farming experience between us and love to teach. We want to support our team so they can bring their whole selves to the farm, set and meet goals related to their journey in food systems work, and provide mentorship.

Details of the positions

• 2 positions available

  • Long-season: May 5th to Nov 2nd (26 weeks)

  • Short-season: June 2nd to Oct 5th (18 weeks)

• Exact start and end dates are flexible
• Possibility to extend the end date up to 4 weeks if interested in fall work
• Starting wage $20-$23/hour, dependent on farming experience
• Includes free access to all farm produce and a 20% discount on eggs
• 35 hours/week, Tuesday-Saturday
• Work hours are 8:00AM - 4:00PM with option for earlier starts on hot days; market days require earlier start and finish times
• Team includes two co-owners, three full-season farm workers returning from 2024, two new farm workers, seasonal day labourers, and weekly volunteers

• Vacation: 8 days (long-season position) or 5 days (short-season) paid
• Sick days: 5 days paid

Tasks performed

• Seeding, transplanting and cover cropping
• Weed management
• Supporting volunteers in harvest tasks, with training and supervision
• Building and maintaining field infrastructure (trellising, tunnels, mulch, row cover)
• Harvesting and processing
• Poultry care, egg collection and washing
• Seed processing
• Record keeping
• Customer service and market sales
• Landscaping and site maintenance

Skills required

• Demonstrated ability to work quickly, efficiently and calmly in fast-paced settings and bring tasks to completion on time
• Ability to work repetitive physical tasks that include kneeling, bending and the ability to lift 45 lbs
• Self-care strategies to manage the physical and mental work involved in outdoor labour, working with your body, and sometimes doing repetitive tasks
• Skills in the areas of food/horticultural production, soil and landscape management, farm equipment use and maintenance, computer use, and/or animal care in a farm setting are an asset but not required
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license is an asset but not required
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred

Physical work conditions

• Farm activities will involve physically demanding work in all weather conditions, sometimes lifting heavy loads up to 45lbs, operating machinery, including repetitive tasks
• We ask that you dress for the weather, stay hydrated and nourished, stretch and take microbreaks as your body needs them, and let us know if a task feels unsafe for you or you need help (be attentive to your physical limitations)
• We will offer adjustments and accommodations to reduce the strain on your body for repetitive tasks, but need you to let us know if discomfort arises and further adjustments are needed
• A portable toilet and multiple potable water sinks are available for your use, including a microwave, kettle, and fridge space for your lunch
• Safety policies are in place to protect you during hot days, heat waves, and wildfire smoke

Supervision and communication

• Our farm culture is centred on open communication; this means we make plenty of time for not just instruction and supervision but also feedback, questions, learning and problem solving to help all team members feel feel understood, included and valued and to work through conflict or miscommunication as a chance for all of us to learn
• It’s a big job to grow a lot of food for a lot of people, and in high summer we all feel proud of not just our hard work but also our teamwork, and are looking for folks to join our team who feel the same
• We commit to regular check-ins to help you set and meet your goals for the season, discuss any problems that arise, and provide you with constructive feedback while receiving any you have for us

How to apply

Submit a letter to groundedacresfarm@gmail.com telling us why you are interested in the work, what relevant experience you have, and which position you are applying for.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Hiring is ongoing until the position is filled, but we will begin interviewing in January.