Sustainable Farm Intern

Job title: Sustainable Farm Intern

Reports to: Gyungbo Noh – Farmer/Mentor

Job location:  4866 HWY 7, Antigonish, NS B2G0B4 

Wage: $18.00/hour 

Hours: 35 hours per week (15-week internship)  

Start Date: Expected May 20, 20245 

Number of Positions: 1 

Equity Hiring:   

Clean is committed to Employment Equity. Our goal is to be inclusive of a diverse workforce that is reflected at all job levels. The Clean Leadership Program welcomes candidates from diverse equity groups to apply and encourage you to self-identify on our registration form.  

About the Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program 

The Clean Leadership Summer Internship program helps grow the clean economy by matching interns (age 15-30) with employers for 9- and 15-week summer work placements. Participating interns will receive paid hands-on experience, mentorship opportunities, take part in a professional development conference and training, while supporting local environmental projects. 

Program Requirements 

• Must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, person who has been granted refugee status in Canada or legally entitled to work in Canada;  

• Must be between the ages of 15 and 30 years old (inclusive) at the start of internship; 

• From and/or will be residing in Nova Scotia for the duration of the internship; 

• Must not be an immediate family member of host employer; 

About the host employer    

Homi Garden grows vegetables naturally without spray. We grow diverse vegetables with many heritage and Asian varieties primarily for market customers. Our goal is to make real living soil to cultivate vegetables with high nutrient content and no harmful pesticides. We take pride in having quality vegetables, high in nutrition, grown with a low carbon footprint. We want to contribute to a healthier community for both society and environment. Homi Garden grows most of our vegetables from seed on our own land which is approximately five kilometres from the market that we sell at in the town of Antigonish. We also have a weekly community supported agriculture food box.

Summary of position   

The host employer for this Summer Internship position through the Clean Leadership program will be Homi Garden Farm. In this position, you will be mainly responsible for raised vegetable bed preparation, irrigation set up, planting, weeding, maintenance of crops. It will also include harvesting and washing of vegetables as well as selling at the farmers market.. The successful candidate needs to have a positive, respectful attitude and be self motivated.

Duties and Responsibilities   

• Prepare soil, plant seeds, transplant seedlings.
• Plant , cultivate, irrigate and harvest crops.
• Position and regulate outdoor irrigation systems to water plants.
• Assist in maintaining farm equipment and buildings.
• Detect disease and health problems in crops.
• Examine produce for quality and prepare for market.
• Clean work area.

Requirements/Qualifications  

• Have an aptitude for safe work practices and the ability to multi-task in a busy environment;
• Be able to work productively as part of a team while responding to feedback;
• Demonstrated interest in future employment in the environmental or clean sector is considered an asset;
• Ability to lift up to 40lb and be prepared to be using your full range of motion for the duration of the day.
• Be an honest and open communicator. English is a second language for the farmer so we require someone who is willing to communication and welcome input on creating better working systems
• The intern will be required to be an independent worker who is willing to accept input as we are always striving to adapt our methods for the best efficiency and quality

Working Conditions 

The intern will almost exclusively be working outside. Work goes forward in all weather conditions. There will be paid and unpaid breaks throughout the day. There is an inside break area with air conditioning. The position provides snacks and plenty of vegetables but intern will be required to bring their own lunch.

Physical Requirements 

The intern must be able to lift at least40 lbs and will be using their bodies full range of motion during the day. Many tasks are repeat motions