Sustainable Farming Intern

Job title: Sustainable Farming Intern

Reports to: Manager – Lochaber Growers Co-operative

Job location: 1772 Hwy 7 , North Lochaber, NS

Wage: $17.25 / hour

Hours: 35 hours per week (9-week internship)

Start Date: Expected June 25, 2026

Number of Positions: 1

Employment Hiring

Clean Foundation is committed to employment equity and our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative at all job levels. The Clean Leadership Program welcomes applications from qualified self-identifying First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, Racialized Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Newcomers and 2SLGBTQIA+ applicants. If you are a member of one of the equity groups, you are encouraged 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 residing in Nova Scotia for the duration of the internship;
• Must not be an immediate family member of host employer

About the host employer

Lochaber Growers is a producers’ co-operative dedicated to delivering a well-rounded food box program that provides fresh local food to our community. We are made up of five small, local farms and work together to grow and raise over 50 crops. Each member farm focuses on different areas of sustainable agricultural production including fruit, vegetable, meat and egg production.

Summary of position

The host employer for this Summer Internship position through the Clean Leadership program will be Lochaber Growers Co-operative. In this position, you will be mainly responsible for working on each of our member farms to learn and execute sustainable agriculture principles, including seeding, transplanting, weeding, maintaining crops, grading eggs and more. In addition you will be responsible for helping to coordinate and host an Open Farm Day showcasing our member farms and sustainable agriculture for the community. The successful candidate needs to have a willingness to learn new skills, strong physical coordination, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and a positive attitude in a variety of conditions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Daily tasks of farm maintenance including seeding, bed preparation, weeding and maintaining crops
• Efficient harvest and processing of vegetable crops and eggs to reduce waste
• Supporting our Food Box Program through crop production and occasional assistance with distribution
• Collaboration to organize and deliver an Open Farm Day for our customers, community partners and the public
• Sharing experiences about sustainable agriculture on social media

Requirements/Qualifications

• These are the qualifications that are necessary for someone to be considered for the position;
• Have an aptitude for safe work practices and the ability to multi-task in a busy work 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;
• Be able to work outside in all weather conditions, lift up to 50lbs, perform repetitive motions, stand and/or crouch for long periods of time, process crops on a conveyor line;
• Ability to bring a positive attitude to both independent and collaborative work;
• Access to a reliable transportation method is an asset

Working Conditions

Job requires working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, at a number of locations in Antigonish county.

Physical Requirements

This job is physically demanding, with tasks involving lifting up to 50lbs, performing repetitive motions, standing and/or crouching for long periods of time and processing crops on a conveyor line.