Environmental Farm Intern
Type: full-time, 35 hours/week
Dates: starting in April, for 6 months to 1 year
Organization: Earthwise Society
Location: Agassiz, near Chilliwack, Lower Mainland BC
Earthwise Society is a not-for-profit environmental education that operates organic teaching farms in Tsawwassen and Agassiz BC. We have an exciting opportunity at our Agassiz location for a recent graduate interested in small scale organic farming, sustainable land use and building systems, and on-site water management. The Environmental Farm Intern will play a key role in farming operations and contribute to the long term goal of developing Earthwise Agassiz as a community educational and destination learning resource. :
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Carry out farming operations for an established one-acre certified organic teaching farm, including field preparation, field maintenance, irrigation, harvesting and post harvest handling of crops
- Participate in organic soil management including on site composting, crop rotation, and cover cropping
- Assist with marketing, including CSA, farm gate and restaurant sales, famer’s markets and agri-tourism initiatives
- Assist with sustainable building initiatives including cob oven construction
- Participate in projects to enhance habitat values of riparian and wetland areas adjacent to the farm, including leading local work teams of volunteers in invasive species removal and tree planting
- Assist in the development and delivery of educational programs
- Assist with the establishment and revitalization of perennial food crops on site as a first step in the establishment of a food forest education centre
- Maintain plantings within ecological demonstration garden featuring native, woodland, and pollinator plants
- Maintain overall site appearance as a destination learning resource including trail maintenance and development
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
- Post-secondary graduation in an environmental field, preferably within the past three years
- Knowledge and understanding of sustainable horticultural practices; personal experience growing food an asset
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Enjoyment of outdoor physical work
- Knowledge of basic carpentry skills
- Must be a permanent resident of Canada
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
This is a full time position, 35 hours per week located, in Agassiz BC, starting in April, for 6 months to 1 year. Weekend work will be required. To apply, please send resume with cover letter to pfleming@earthwisesociety.bc.ca by March 25, 2019.