Job Opportunities
We’re currently hiring for two positions for the 2024 season.
Please send in a resume & cover letter to hello@farmerson57th.ca
About The Farm:
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. Since 2009, Farmers on 57th has grown into a thriving 75 family CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) market garden, offering courses, garden plots and guided visits 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) we run a summer garden-based program for newcomer/refugee mothers and their young children called Growing Eden. We are listed as an example of best practice by the City of Vancouver.
Urban Farm Co-Lead & Program Coordinator
Location: Farmers On 57th. 780 W 57th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6P 1S2
Terms: 35 hrs/wk, 33 wks (End of Feb - Oct. Flexible start and end dates)
Rate: $18/hr
About The Role:
The successful applicant will team up with the farm manager in market garden operations, and program planning and executing. They will develop, organize, and host educational programs related to sustainability and ecology. They will also lead groups of volunteers, host visitors to the site, and engage with the community.
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
● 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 Farm Manager
● 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.
Qualifications
● 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
● Post-secondary degree or equivalent experience in education, agriculture, ecology or related fields preferred
● Experience working with kids from diverse backgrounds, outdoors
● Passion for farm, environmental and/or food systems education
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills
● Organized with good attention to detail; able to prioritize tasks
● Able to work independently and in a team setting
● Comfortable using and learning new technology, including Google Suite
● Physically able to work outdoors in all kinds of weather for up to 8.5 hours in one day
● Able to work remotely from home or another suitable location, and to travel between locations by own means (bike, vehicle or transit)
● Able to pass a criminal record check
● Must meet Canada Summer Jobs Requirements
Urban Farm & Community Development Worker
Location: Farmers On 57th. 780 W 57th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6P 1S2
Terms: 35 hrs/wk, 16 wks (End of June - Sep. Flexible start and end dates)
Rate: $17/hr
About The Role:
The successful applicant will team up with the farm staff and volunteers in market garden operations, and program coordination. They will lead teams of volunteers in field work, engage with the community (including George Pearson residents and staff, CSA members, visitors and neighbors of the farm), and help streamline farm operations.
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.
● Monitor irrigation system performance weekly to ensure water efficiency and crop health, and repair as needed
● Conduct regular pest monitoring and co-develop pest management strategy with farm manager and staff
● Troubleshoot production issues with field team, support solutions
● Update the farm tasklist with tasks accomplished at the end of field shifts and communicate updates to Farm Manager and other field shift leads.
● Receive training in, install, schedule, monitor, maintain and teach water consciousness and the automatic irrigation system of field crops.
Crop production and planning
● Manage indoor transplant production system: watering, venting, monitoring field readiness & hardening off
● Assess crop variety performance and research new crop varieties for 2025.
● Co- develop the 2025 crop plan and map along with Farm Manager and staff
● Take ongoing inventory of supplies in anticipation of needs according to future farmtasks. Notify Farm Manager of procurement needs. Assist in procurement as needed.
Other responsibilities
● Provide service and hospitality to CSA shareholders, people living with disabilities, children and youth visiting the market garden.
● Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and regular check ins with the Farm Manager
● Ensure positive and respectful relationships with residents and staff at George Pearson Centre, the residential care home where our Market Garden is located
Qualifications
● 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
● Skills in/ curiosity to learn about organic sustainable agricultural practices
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills
● Organized with good attention to detail; able to prioritize tasks
● Able to work independently and in a team setting
● Comfortable using and learning new technology, including Google Suite
● Physically able to work outdoors in all kinds of weather for up to 8.5 hours in one day
● Able to work remotely from home or another suitable location, and to travel between locations by own means (bike, vehicle or transit)
● Able to pass a criminal record check
● Must meet Canada Summer Jobs Requirements