We're Hiring! Urban Farming Co-Lead & Program Coordinator *NOW CLOSED*🥦
Positions Available: 1
Name of Organization: Farmers on 57th
Location: Main location at 57th @ Heather Street
Start Date: Urban Farming Co-Lead: Flexible, ideally on March 1st with last possible end date of Oct 31, 2024
Hours offered: Monday - Friday, 35 hrs/week for 32 weeks for a total possible 1120 hours depending on start date
Compensation: $18/ hour + vacation pay.
This is a Canada Summer job posting, so the successful applicant must:
Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations
In addition, because we work on the grounds of a long-term residential care facility and with children we require:
Proof of vaccination, a BC Vaccine Passport
Criminal Record Clearance
Organizational Website: www.farmerson57th.ca
Organization Description:
Farmers on 57th is a therapeutic & educational urban farm on the grounds of George Pearson Centre, a long-term care facility for people with disabilities in Vancouver, BC. For over 10 years, Farmers on 57th has grown into a thriving 70 household CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) market garden, offering courses and tours to the public. We also run a weekly enabling garden program for Pearson residents, allowing those living with disabilities to grow, harvest and enjoy their own-grown food and flowers. And in our satellite garden in Southeast Vancouver, adjacent to the South Vancouver Family Place and an elementary school, we run a summer garden-based program for newcomer/refugee mothers and their young children.
We are listed as an example of best practice by the City of Vancouver.
How To Apply:
Send a cover letter and resume to Britt So, Farm Manager, at hello@farmerson57th.ca. Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.
Job Description:
Market Garden Farm Team member at George Pearson Centre
Heather Street and 57th Ave, Tues-Sat 9am-3pm (exact hours to be determined with successful applicant)
As our summer youth employee you would play an important supportive role to our programs. In this way you get to experience the productive, therapeutic and educational components of this thriving community integrated farm! It is a wonderful way to spend a summer.
This component of the job involves working in a productive market garden with a fabulous team of urban farmers. You will learn many aspects of growing & harvesting market vegetables and flowers for a CSA box program.
Task management and organization
Work with the market garden team & independently to accomplish the week’s field tasks including weeding, seeding, transplanting, tilling, amending, composting, watering, mulching, trellising and pruning.
Prioritize field tasks with Farm Manager and other field shift leads weekly or more as needed.
Assess crop variety performance and research new crop varieties for 2025.
Co- develop the 2025 crop plan and map along with Farm Manager
Update the crop list and seed donation request based on 2025 crop plan.
Receive training in, install, schedule, monitor, maintain and teach water consciousness and the automatic irrigation system of field crops.
Volunteer Recruitment & Management
Orient, lead, train, supervise and provide feedback to volunteers in farm tasks and educational programs, and ensure adherence to safety protocols. Co-create solutions to field and personnel issues as they arise.
Collect feedback from volunteers to improve crop plan and volunteer program for upcoming year
Update field team schedule on volunteer availabilities and time-offs
Organizational & Program Development
Assist child and youth participants in all aspects of vegetable growing and harvesting; service and hospitality to program participants.
Organize and lead, or engage in educational workshops, tours, and hands- on activities for schools, community groups, and farm visitors related to sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and food systems education
Establish and maintain partnerships with local schools, community organizations, and stakeholders to promote the farm’s educational programs
Develop and implement program evaluation methods to measure the effectiveness and impact of educational initiatives
Assist in budget planning and financial management for educational programs, ensuring resources are allocated effectively
Ensure that all educational activities comply with safety regulations and environment
Other responsibilities
Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and regular check-ins with the Executive Director
Ensure positive and respectful relationships with residents and staff at George Pearson Centre, the residential care home where our Market Garden is located
Provide service and hospitality to CSA shareholders, people living with disabilities, children and youth visiting the market garden.
Co-host 2 celebration events, sharing plant and food preparation knowledge with farm members to improve food literacy and reduce food waste.
Skills & Requirements:
30 years or younger, Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident or Refugee Status with valid Social Insurance Number
Physically fit, willing and able to work outdoors in all weather conditions, can lift 25 lb.
Knowledge & experience in sustainable agriculture, growing food, plant identification, gardening & food safe
Knowledge & experience with program leadership
Strong listening skills and verbally communicative, open and honest, personable
Ability to take the lead, solve problems in a group setting
Self-motivated & organized, responsible, strong self-initiative
Willingness to engage on social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Blog
Access to & willingness to use a personal computer and/or cell phone
Knowledge & experience in communications
On-site training will be provided.
We are a majority white community space striving to be a safe, inclusive community space for people of all identities. Applicants who self-identify with a group under-represented in our community will be prioritized.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Britt So, Farm Manager, at hello@farmerson57th.ca. Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.
Thank you!
Interested in volunteering with us instead? Click here to learn more.
