SMALL FARM LEAD HAND - Jobs in Maple Ridge, BC

Job Description

COMPANY OVERVIEWGrow & Gather is a farmstead garden shop tending a full compliment of culinary, floral, landscape, nativeand aquatic plants, plus an array of pond supplies. The company grows its own supply of hangingbaskets and a selection of ornamental plants for its retail operation, as well as pumpkins for autumnsales, and a limited supply of market vegetables to sell at farm gate. A flock of chickens has been addedfor egg production. The 4-acre farmstead is owner-operated, and presently has a small and highlydedicated team that is well known in the community for service, knowledge, and its hometown warmth. Apartnership with the Haney Farmers Market sees that amenity’s relocation to the greenhouses for severalautumn events.COMPANY AIMSGarden retailing and growing has been the mainstay of the company since its inception about 20 yearsago. To further grow the business, differentiate from its competitors, better utilize its land, and nestle itselfin its traditionally farming neighbourhood, the owners plan to develop the following aspects of theproperty:

• Increase production of ornamentals and edible starter plants for retail sales.
• Establish a viable and diverse market garden to supply local residents with farm fresh produce.
• Create partnerships with other local farmers to increase produce offerings and provide a venue

for farmers to retail their wares beyond their weekly attendance at farmers markets.

• Offer beekeeping supplies, become educated in beekeeping, and potentially establish a smallfarm apiary.
• Expand produce offerings with small flock egg production.
• Carefully consider and execute farm offerings in order to position itself as the growing

neighbourhood’s hobby farm.JOB DESCRIPTIONThis full-time position takes responsibility for current plant health duties on both the retailing and growingsides of operations. With an eye to sensible diversification on the farm, and working directly with owneroperators, the position will inform and execute the market garden, pumpkin patch, egg production, andother aspects of the farm.DUTIES

• Plant Health

o Daily watering and pest monitoring of ornamental crops in productiono Daily watering and pest monitoring of retail crops in garden centreo Daily watering and pest monitoring of market garden cropso Consultation with owners and staff for care and treatment of issues as they arise

• Market Gardening

o Crop planning of market garden with consideration of retailability, storage needs, harvest,and on farm food safety.o Sowing / transplanting of market garden cropso Weeding and maintenance of market gardeno Compost managemento Harvesting, safe handling, storage, and delivery of produce to retailo Management of produce waste and overages (possible farmers market selling, animalfeed, etc)

• Ornamental / Retail Plant Production

o Working with team to determine selling and production scheduleso Assist with planting and growing on of ornamental crops and vegetable starts for retailsaleso Management / delivery of retail ready crops to garden centre

• Light animal husbandry

o Feeding, care, egg collection of chicken flock.o Feeding, care, manure management of other hobby farm animals as added.

• Record keeping

o As required and related directly to above production.EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

• Extensive skills and knowledge in agriculture practices including permaculture, horticulture, edible

landscaping, composting, animal husbandry.

• Certificate/diploma from a recognized agriculture and/or horticulture training facility.
• Basic marketing and small business understanding and experience.
• Workable knowledge of Word, Excel, and the Internet, plus sufficient comfort with computer use

to learn and accomplish related tasks in company POS system (training provided).

• Minimum two years’ experience working in a farming, agriculture, or related role.
• Ability to drive tractor is a plus.
• Valid drivers’ license.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Adaptability: Demonstrates a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing

work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.

• Relationship Building: Establishes and maintain positive working relationships with others to

achieve the goals of the company. Though customer interaction is not the subject of this job,ability to treat all customers and guests on the farm in a courteous, warm and helpful manner.

• Self-directedness: Content, energetic, and efficient when working alone.
• Communication: Speaks, listens and writes in a clear, thorough and timely manner using

appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques. English required.

• Organizational Skills: Sets priorities, develops a work schedule, monitors progress towards goals,

and tracks data.

• Problem Solving: Assesses problem situations to identify causes, gathers and processes relevant

information, generates possible solutions, and makes recommendations to the owners to resolveissues.

• Physically capable of manual labour, and lifting up to 50lb.

WORKING CONDITIONSThis is a small business that relies on the ability of team members to pitch-in to accomplish pressinggoals. From time to time, duties may be adjusted, pre-empted, or altered to fit the company’s immediateneeds.Work occurs rain or shine and is subject to the wet and often inclement weather of the area. Teammembers are not made of sugar, and may be required to work in less than optimal weather conditions.Adjustments will be made in the case of extremes, but staff is expected to be prepared with the gear,nutrition and clothing suited to wet, cold, or very hot days.Rain gear and safety-toed work boots are conditions of employment.Overtime may be required in peak season. Approved overtime may be banked or subject to averagingagreements as will be determined by management and successful candidate.A seasonal layoff between late December and early February is customary at this company.COMPENSATIONDepending on experience.TO APPLYSubmit your resume with cover letter in confidence to growandgather@telus.net.24565 Dewdney Trunk Road | Maple Ridge, BC | V4R 1W9Tel 604 466-3254 | growandgather@telus.netQuick Apply

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