La Belle Vie Farm

La Belle Vie Farm is an ecological farm growing haskap berries, salad greens, herbs and a small selection of seasonal vegetables. Our operation consists of: a berry orchard, terrestrial gardens, an indoor hydroponic/aquaponic farm and a certified on-farm kitchen. We are open to the public full-time during haskap season and part-time in the slower seasons. We attend local farmers’ markets, supply smaller retailers, sell wholesale product to food processors and sell directly via our farm store and website.

We are looking to hire staff for a number of positions in 2025 who are motivated to work hard, expand their knowledge of food production and processing systems, and work in a team environment to produce high quality, ecologically grown food, in a safe and efficient manner.

If the opportunity below does not seem like a good fit, please know that we are undertaking a general recruitment at this time and will potentially have other opportunities available including seasonal full-time, casual harvester positions, co-op placements, and possibly another one-year full-time contract. We encourage resumes along with a letter (email) telling us why our farm is of interest to you and why we should consider hiring you. We accept resumes in English or French. Bilingualism is always an asset, but not a requirement.

Location: La Belle Vie Farm, 378 Turcot Road, St. Charles, ON

Job Type: Full-time (30-35 hrs/week), 8-month (1200 hour) contract with possibility of becoming a recurring contract, some flexibility on schedule outside of peak season

Salary Range: $19.80-$22.44/hr

Eligibility: As this position is contingent upon federal Youth Employment and Skills Program funding, the successful candidate must meet program eligibility requirements:

· 15 to 30 years of age at the start of the internship

· Unemployed or underemployed

· a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or person granted refugee status

· legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations

· Candidates who have previously been hired under the Youth Employment and Skills Program are not eligible

Due to funding program priorities, as well as our commitment to diversity and inclusion preference will be given to youth facing barriers to employment. Barriers to employment include: indigenous, living with a disability (physical, mental health-related), racialized youth (formerly visible minority), recent newcomer to Canada in the last 5 years, 2SLGBTQQIA+, person living in an Official Languages Minority Community (francophone in Sudbury for example), residing in a remote, northern and/or fly-in community, living in a low-income household, single parent, early leaver of high school.

IF YOU DO NOT FACE ONE OF THESE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, WE STILL WELCOME YOUR APPLICATION IF YOU MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS!

 

Job Summary:

We are seeking a motivated individual to lead and supervise orchard management activities including orchard maintenance, harvest and processing. The ideal candidate will have a passion for sustainable agriculture, and the ability to take initiative by communicating ideas and potential solutions, troubleshoot and optimize processes. This position reports directly to the farm managers/owners and works closely, with forthright communication, as part of the farm team. The Orchard Management Technician is responsible for overseeing and performing daily activities to ensure the health, productivity, and maintenance of the orchard. This position requires hands-on work, and the ability to manage tasks efficiently. The successful candidate will receive on-the-job training for any required safety certifications.

 

Key Responsibilities

1. Orchard Maintenance:

o Monitor and maintain the health of haskap berry plants through proper pruning, weeding, and soil management as required.

o Monitor berry development stages, diagnose issues and assist with development and implementation of the harvest plan. Document all observations.

2. Harvesting:

o Supervise and participate in berry harvesting, ensuring food safety and fruit quality standards following Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

o Implement post-harvest handling processes, including washing, sorting, and packaging berries.

3. Berry Processing

o Following safe food handling practices, assist in the berry processing lines to prepare fruit for fresh and frozen sales, as well as value-added products

o Ensure daily cleaning and sanitation during peak and off season

4. Data Collection & Reporting:

o Keep detailed records of plant health, harvest yields, and inventory management.

o Manage the inventory management system

5. Team Coordination:

o Supervise seasonal workers during peak periods in the field or in the processing facility, depending on the daily work activities

o Provide training and guidance on best practices for tasks.

6. Sustainability Practices:

o Assist in implementing environmentally friendly techniques to maintain soil health and minimize waste.

o Follow all health, safety, and environmental protocols.

 

Qualifications

· Education: Diploma or degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

· Experience: 1-2 years of orchard or farm experience preferred. Knowledge of haskap berries is an asset.

· Skills and Attributes:

o Passion for sustainability and agriculture.

o Ability to work independently and as part of a team, including leading a team when required.

o Excellent communication and record-keeping abilities.

o Self-motivated and innovative thinker

o Ability to operate equipment and tools safely and effectively.

o Strong problem-solving, time management, and organizational skills.

o Physical stamina to work in various weather conditions and perform manual labor tasks.

 

Additional Requirements

· Valid driver’s license.

· Availability to work weekends and extended hours during peak seasons as scheduled.

· Ability to lift 50 lbs and perform physically demanding tasks.

 

Benefits

· Competitive salary or hourly wage (based on experience)

· In certain cases, up to $5000 in benefits for relocation and other forms of assistance to address barriers to employment

· Opportunity for training and professional development.

· Access to fresh produce.

 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter outlining relevant experience to labelleviefarm@gmail.com. Please confirm in your cover letter that you meet the eligibility requirements. Your application will not be considered if you do not state that you meet the eligibility requirements above.

If you are a youth facing barriers to employment, you do not need to indicate specific barriers in your application, but please do include the statement “I believe I qualify as a youth facing barriers to employment.”

Applications will be accepted until April 1, 2025 or until the position is filled.

To apply for this job email your details to labelleviefarm@gmail.com