Santropol Roulant seeks 2 motivated young people who are passionate about farming to join our team
Santropol Roulant uses food as a vehicle to break social isolation between generations. Creatively and collaboratively, we strengthen and nourish our local community with our novel approaches to active community engagement, youth leadership, food security and social inclusion.
The Roulant's staff is young and dynamic with job descriptions and responsibilities that sometimes exceed their experience. As such, opportunities to learn and grow are key benefits of working at Santropol Roulant. Our working culture supports staff members in developing the skills required to ensure that our collective impact matches organizational and personal aspirations.
About the Peri-Urban Farm
As part of our mission of building a food system that is healthy, just, and sustainable, Santropol Roulant farms a 3-acre plot of agriculturally zoned and organically certified land in Senneville. This land supports the production of fresh produce for our kitchen programs, our organic baskets and our weekly farmer’s markets. Initiatives such as our solidarity baskets, subsidized markets and meals-on-wheels contribute to making organic produce accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status, level of mobility, or degree of autonomy.
About the Positions
These positions offer a full-season experience in small-scale intensive vegetable farming and are primarily geared towards young people with some previous farming experience who want to deepen their knowledge of farming in a supportive learning environment. With the mentorship of Clémence and Adam, the farm co-managers, the interns will have the opportunity to take on increased responsibility throughout the season. At the end of the internship, they will have a coherent understanding of a sustainable agricultural system that builds community food security.
Key Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the farm co-managers, the interns will contribute to the successful operation of the peri-urban farm according to the farm's needs and in relation with the seasons. Their tasks may include any activities required to run the farm, such as :
- Field and greenhouse bed preparation
- Care for seedlings, transplantation and direct seeding
- Assuring proper crop maintenance (weeding, pest control, staking, pruning, thinning, etc.)
- Harvesting and preparing produce for sale and distribution
- Quantitative and qualitative record-keeping
- Supporting the farm co-managers at Santropol Roulant's weekly market and organic basket distribution
- Coordinating and mentoring volunteers
The interns will also participate in some elements of organizational life at the Roulant, including events that are hosted at the farm and at our downtown offices.
We are looking for candidates with the following interests, skills and experience:
- Minimum 1 year work experience on a rural or peri-urban farm
- Experience working in a mentoring/teaching capacity (in an agricultural or non-agricultural setting)
- Desire to work independently, take initiative and assume responsibility
- Passionate about the work and values of Santropol Roulant
- Capacity for physical labour and working outdoors in all types of weather
- A valid driver's license
- Willingness to work occasional weekends in rotation with the other farm team members
- Basic oral bilingualism (French/English) is required, written communication skills an asset
Additionally, please indicate in your application if you have graduated in the last three calendar years from an agriculture-related program in a university, college or CEGEP or a provincial program focusing on biological, agricultural and veterinary science or applied technology. Please not this is not a requirement for this position.
Contract Details
This is a 6-month position, from April 11th until the end of October with an hourly wage of $12.33. It has a parttime schedule (20hrs/week) for the first 2 weeks, a full-time schedule (40 hrs/week) for the subsequent period. The interns will work primarily from Monday to Friday, but may be asked work the occasional weekend in rotation with other members of the farm team with take-back the subsequent week. Please note that commuting to the farm daily may be time consuming for those who do not live in the area.
As an organization that works to break social and economicisolation and bring people together across social barriers, Santropol Roulant recognizes that people who experience structural oppression and marginalization have a lot to offer our community. People of colour, those recently arrived from other countries, people with disabilities, women, two-spirited and queer people, trans people, and other candidates who experience marginalization are strongly encouraged to apply and to self-identify in their cover letter.
The work site for this position is not well adapted to those with limited mobility. Please contact Stephanie if you have any questions about how the accessibility of our work area might impact your participation.
To apply, please drop off or email your CV and cover letter addressed to the Farm Internship Hiring Committee at 111 Roy East or rh at santropolroulant.org by Monday February 15th at 9:00am. Only candidates chosen for an interview will be contacted. Interviews will take place later the following week. For more information, contact Stephanie at 514.284.9335, write to rh at santropolroulant.org, visit www.santropolroulant.org, or stop by our offices.
SOURCE: Santropol Roulant
