We are seeking a Farm Assistant to join our team for the remainder of the growing season and over the winter. This is an in-person position with some schedule flexibility suitable for students
Contract Dates: ASAP through December 2025, with possibility of extension and full-time hours in the summer 2026 growing season.
Salary Range: $17.50-20.00/hour, based on experience
Hours of Work: 15-20 hours/week. Some early morning, evening and Saturday/Sunday availability is required.
We are seeking a Farm Assistant to take responsibility for daily farm operations including daily poultry, swine and mushroom chores, routine supply, equipment and facility maintenance, and special farm projects. The successful candidate will be trained in routine farm tasks including equipment and machinery operation. The Farm Assistant takes initiative and responsibility for identifying and reporting problems and issues to others on the team.
How to Apply
Submit a current resume outlining your relevant experience and qualifications by email to
Duties
Poultry Care
- Regular animal care including feeding, watering, moving birds on pasture, placing chicks, catching and delivering mature birds for processing
- Monitor animal welfare, proactively identify and address concerns or problems
- Clean and disinfect brooder building and equipment, maintain equipment in good working order
- Organize and manage inventory of eggs, fresh and frozen chicken, monitoring quality
- Package meat and eggs for sale to retail and wholesale customers
- Follow biosecurity procedures and maintain flock records
- Monitor feed and supplies and communicate shortages and low inventory for routine orders from suppliers
- Clean, organize, repair and maintain poultry facilities, equipment and supplies
Swine Care
- Regular animal care for a small herd of Kune Kune pigs, including feeding and moving pigs on pasture
- Monitor animal welfare, ensure that pigs are happy with adequate food, water, shelter and secure pasture area
Mushroom Cultivation
- Regular mushroom harvest, pack and store fresh and dried mushrooms
- Place and remove mushroom blocks, monitor quality and contamination issues
- Maintaining sterile growing environment, routine cleaning and disinfecting space & equipment
- Monitor harvest yields, identify and address concerns with quality and quantity of mushroom harvest
- Organize mushroom storage, manage inventory flow for fresh and dried mushrooms
- Weigh, package and label mushrooms for sale to retail and wholesale customers, monitor quality
Farm Operations
- Routine cleaning and maintenance of equipment and machinery
- Transport livestock, feed, supplies and inventory to and from processors, suppliers and customers
- Monitor and proactively address problems or concerns around equipment, facilities, animal welfare or supplies
- Maintain clean and safe on-farm working conditions
- Assist with large projects including fencing, building maintenance etc
Land Stewardship
- Trail, fence and pasture maintenance
- Monitor and assist with management of wild foraging areas
- Manage waste and compost from poultry and mushroom production
Qualifications
- Interest and previous experience in sustainable agriculture, mycology, livestock farming
- Thoughtful, conscientious, showing good judgment and taking initiative
- Able to follow directions, work quickly and efficiently with attention to detail and quality
- Trustworthy, able to work independently, following procedures with minimal supervision
- Comfortable working with animals including dogs, poultry and other farm animals
- Physically able to lift 25kg
- Class G driver’s license preferred, experience operating farm machinery an asset
- Solid mathematical skills to calculate weights, prices and manage inventory of farm products and supplies
About our Farm
Kendal Hills Farm is 70 acres of rolling hills, forest, orchard and pasture located in the ecologically sensitive Oak Ridges Moraine. We raise mushrooms, eggs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and pork. Dave and Emily are committed to the principles of regenerative agriculture, working with the land to enrich soils, improve watersheds and respect the plants and animals that call this place home.
Qualifications
- Driving License
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $17.50-$20.00 per hour
Expected hours: 15 – 20 per week
Benefits:
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Tell us why you are interested in joining Kendal Hills Farm.
Work Location: In person
Expected start date: 2025-09-01
