Market Garden Manager 2027

FoodWork; Kawartha Lakes; On-site; CAD 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-farm accommodations

Vegetables for personal consumption

Job summary

Eat Local Muskoka in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, is seeking a Market Garden Manager for the 2027 season to lead field production, harvesting and CSA distribution.

You will supervise a team of six farmers, work April–December at 40 hours per week, with an $4,500 CAD monthly salary and on-farm accommodations.

Qualifications

• 2 yrs market gardening experience, including crop planning.
• Experience managing irrigation systems and farm equipment.
• Familiarity with regenerative or organic agriculture practices.
• Ability to work long hours in all weather with seasonal workloads.
• Management and decision-making experience in farming or similar roles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver's license.
• Own vehicle and willingness to travel as needed.
• Ability to operate hand tools and machinery.
• Experience with basic software (Google Suite, QuickBooks).
• Willingness to pitch in on various tasks.

Responsibilities

• Lead field production and harvesting for CSA program.
• Coordinate distribution to CSA members and local outlets.
• Supervise a team of six farmers and on-farm operations.
• Plan crop rotations and market garden layout.
• Assist with planting, selling and delivery of produce.
• Ensure safety, maintenance of equipment and farm standards.

Skills

Market gardening

Irrigation management

Organic farming

Farm management

Project management

Teamwork

Communication

Driver's license

Physical stamina

Farm machinery

Computer literacy

Vehicle ownership

Tools

Google Suite

QuickBooks

Job description

Organic, regenerative and organic agriculture

Hiring:

Market Garden Manager

Terms:

$4500 monthly salary, 9 mth contract, 40 hr/wk, April - December

Farm:

Eat Local Muskoka

Location:

10-20 minute drive from Fenelon Falls and Lindsay, Kawartha Lakes, Ontario

Accom.:

on-farm accommodations available for the right candidate

Are you an enthusiastic, physically strong person? Do you love good food? Have you found farming and want to grow in a supportive environment? If so, this is the job for you!

We are seeking 1 full time farm manager for the 2027 season working and supporting a team of 6 young farmers! Working interviews (paid) will be arranged this fall to ensure a good fit for all parties.

Eat Local Muskoka is a farmers’ co-operative working with eight organic vegetable farmers in Muskoka and Kawartha Lakes. Our goal is to improve our local food system while inspiring our customers to explore the wonders of seasonal produce.

Going into our 12th year of operations, we’re looking for someone experienced and motivated to lead our field production, harvesting and distributing for our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. Since building relationships with the people we feed is really important to us, most of our produce is sold through our CSA, supplemented by some local restaurant, farm gate & retail sales. We operate our home farm on a beautiful 100 acre off-grid property near Fenelon Falls. Here we have 3.5 acres of intensive ‘Market Garden’ vegetable production and strawberries. We have 2 seedling greenhouses and 3 high tunnels. We work with draft horses and a BCS tractor to compliment the hand tools and physical labour needed to grow high quality, organic produce.

Requirements

• 2 yrs market gardening experience, including developing and implementing crop plans, with preference (but not requirement) in flowers and mixed vegetables
• Experience managing irrigation systems, operating farm equipment such as walk behind tractors, and integrated pest management (IPM)
• Familiarity with regenerative or organic agriculture practices
• Ability to work long hours in all types of weather with seasonally heavy workloads
• Management and decision making experience, ideally in a farming context or a similar role
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Willingness to pitch in if other jobs need doing
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Valid drivers license
• Ability to work on feet throughout the day, including repetitive lifting of substantial weight
• Ability to work with relevant hand tools and machinery
• Familiarity with basic software and computer applications is an asset (ie. Google Suite, Quickbooks)
• Have your own vehicle
• While the manager can expect to be well supported, the role does require flexibility in meeting farm needs including all aspects of planning, planting, managing, harvesting, preparing, selling, and delivering produce.

Hours & Remuneration

• We work Mon-Fri, typically 8am-4:30pm. Occasional evening and weekend work for chores and special events.
• Farm Manager: $4500/month salary (approx $26/hr), 8 mth contract for 40 hr/wk April - December.

You’ll be working closely with farm owner Colin to manage the farm, and help grow the business. We’re able to train for our farm specific skills, and are focused on personal development, and building a sustinable team with opportunity for growth.

Extras: 1 wk unpaid holidays, 1 paid off-farm learning days for professional development, and plenty of vegetables for personal consumption. As this is a paid position, we do not offer official education, but on-farm learning is inevitable and we have a network of experienced farmers to learn from. We’ll help you become a successful farmer, providing you with more than just growing food skills but learning all it takes to run your own business along with having fun doing it!

Although not required, we would love to find candidates who are interested in working with us for multiple seasons.

(Only Canadian citizens/permanent residents or those with legal Canadian work permits will be considered.)

Please note: We are a 10-20 minute drive from Fenelon Falls and Lindsay.