Grower Assistant

Nature Fresh Farms is a Leamington-based greenhouse company with facilities in Leamington, ON and Delta, OH as well as Laredo, TX. Our company and its innovative, dynamic team are expanding every day, growing new plant varieties, and introducing cutting-edge ideas and practices to the fresh produce industry. However, at Nature Fresh, we don’t just grow plants – we also grow people. Our team is passionate about bringing the highest quality products to consumers, but it is also committed to creating an inspiring, diverse, and team-oriented workplace environment that everyone can enjoy. Nature Fresh Farms is a recognized leader within the greenhouse farming industry – join our team and help us continue to grow!

We are currently looking to fill 4 permanent, full-time positions for a Grower Assistant for our Farms Growing Department at our Leamington, ON location.

The Grower Assistant will be learning and supporting the Growers with all growing aspects, growing high crop production yields and good quality vegetables.

Job Specific Duties

• Mixing fertilizers as per instructions given by Operational Growers. Ensuring mixing room is always kept clean and organized.
• Look for and learn crop behavior, vegetative and generative growth, nutrient deficiencies.
• Daily collection and testing of drip and drain water.
• Weekly collection of water, leaf, and fruit samples for analysis.
• Collect weekly crop registration such as plant growth, leaf length, set fruit, fruit weights etc.
• Scouting for pests and disease and collaborating with the Biological Department.
• Spraying and applying pesticide treatments as necessary (upon successful completion of the Greenhouse Pesticide Safety course). Ensure PPE is always worn.
• Responsible for washing and sterilizing the greenhouse at the end of each crop season.
• Helping with planting and ensure the greenhouse is ready for planting.
• Rotate On Call schedules for afterhours and weekends
• Operate the roof washer to brush/clean and apply shade to the roof.
• Cleanup and organize mixing room, cleaning tanks, and general housekeeping of Growing Dept.
• Inspecting drippers and filling sulphur pots as needed on a scissor lift. Ensure PPE is always worn.
• Ensuring all company, food safety, health and safety policies, procedures, and standards are adhered to.
• Reporting any maintenance concerns.
• Bioreactor duties:

• Monitor Bioreactor levels and temperatures
• Mix fertilizer for the Bioreactor.
• Collect samples from Bioreactor weekly and send out for testing.
• Remove sludge from the Bioreactor throughout the week
• Read and interpret data on samples for proper nutrient levels.
• Routine cleaning of Bioreactor.
• Training with the alarms

• Must comply with all Health and Safety, Food Safety, Bio Security, and Nature Fresh Policies and Procedures.
• This job description highlights the main components but is not inclusive of other activities that may be required.

Qualifications

• A diploma in botany, horticulture or agriculture is an asset but not a requirement.
• Keen interest in agriculture, plants, and learning required.
• Good communications skills and computer literacy are required.

Working Conditions

• Will have exposure to various pesticides and insects including bees.
• Climates within the greenhouses can vary from cold to very warm and can be wet or humid at times.
• Working with a wide array of people/cultures in a team setting.
• The Grower Assistant’s work week is from Monday-Saturday. After hours, on call, weekend and holiday hours may be required.

Physical Requirements

• This is a physical job requiring some heavy lifting, bending, twisting, and reaching as needed.
• Must be able to stand/walk for extended periods of time; some bending, crouching, kneeling, and working at heights may be required.
• Walking and standing for most of the day, some desk work.
• Utilizing and pulling a scissor cart.
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Salary

Nature Fresh Farms is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the hiring process. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applications from candidates, in accordance with all relevant legislation. Nature Fresh Farms provides an accessible environment in which all individuals have access in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.