Farm #3
Primary production: Mixed organic vegetables, fruit, seeds
This farm accepts couples
This farm is not able to accommodate children
This farm offers a wage
Apprenticeship term: May 1st to October 31st (with possibility of extending to mid November)
This farm has signed the SOIL Host Charter
We are located on unceded Kwantlen territory in the Fraser Valley, in a rural-area that is only 45 minutes to Vancouver BC. The farm is located on 20 acres that includes wild spaces, streams, forest, orchards and a grassy field called the "fun field", we cultivate 3.5 acres of this land to grow mixed vegetables, edible flowers, herbs and seeds. Our farmers have decades of farming experience as well as formal training in horticulture, small-farm operations, and leadership.
As a cooperative farm and cooperative farm community we value community, communication, and living with respect for the land - we are outdoorsy folks who like building/making/learning/sharing/growing together (although we also value solitude!) . Our cooperative farm has been in operation for 40 years and as farmer here you will learn every aspect of small-scale organic farming operations, with hands on experience following seeding/planting plans, nurturing plants from seed to harvest and preparing food for our customers (restaurant, CSA and market). Our small leadership team will work alongside you and provide regular check ins to help support you as a farmer.
Housing is located on the property, in small cabin spaces with private entrances (heat/internet/basic amenities included). There is a shared outdoor kitchen, outdoor private hot shower, composting toilets, wood fired sauna, and access to shared free laundry/wifi available. We actively uphold the right of every individual within our community to be treated with dignity and respect - discrimination, harassment or bullying regarding race, sex, disability, gender, sexual orientation, beliefs, and socio-economic background is not welcome.
This is a paid work opportunity with two positions available starting at $20-$22/hour, vacation pay, statutory holiday pay and (subsidized) extended health benefits.
Location: Langley
Farm #4
Primary production: berries, vegetables, flowers
This farm accepts (and prefers) couples
This farm might be able to accommodate children
This farm offers a stipend
Apprenticeship term: May to September
This small, mixed farm is located in the beautiful Nuxalk territory of the Bella Coola valley. Rivers, mountains, waterfalls, bears and salmon abound in this vibrant Great Bear Rainforest ecosystem. In the middle of this wilderness is a small valley that boasts fertile soils and a warm microclimate for growing most crops that can be cultivated in BC. We are just 20 minutes away from the ocean.
Our small family started this farm just 3 years ago so our operation is still small but we are growing a wide variety of vegetables, berries, flowers and other in a 1.5 acres field and in a large greenhouse.
One of us is a soil scientist who has taught agroecology and farming for the past decade, the other is a documentary filmmaker.
The apprentices will be farming with us; tending to crops, harvesting, going to market and will be living in a camperized school bus that we just finished fixing. It is very cozy and is completely independent with internet, electricity, kitchen, shower, etc.
Location: Bella Coola
Farm #5
Main Production: cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, apples, pears, grapes, onions, zucchini, cucumber, melons, basil, tomatoes, celeriac, cardoon, eggplant, hot peppers, winter squash
This farm accepts couples
This farm offers a stipend
Apprenticeship term: April 1 to October 25, 2021
This farm has signed SOIL's host pledge
The farm is located in the semi-arid wilderness of the Fraser Canyon and is nourished by gravity-fed, pure mountain water and powered by the sun. I grow a diversity of vegetables and fruit for market and restaurants in Vancouver. In addition to basil, cucumbers, celeriac, cardoon, fennel, squash, eggplants, zucchini, peaches, cherries, plums, and apples, the farm specializes in growing over 30 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Apprentices will have many different learning opportunities such as: orchard management, irrigation, off-grid living, food preservation, seed saving, garden planning, marketing strategies, and crop production. Apprentices will have their own cabins with cooking area and organic food staples are provided. There is a swimming pond on the farm and we are surrounded by hiking trails and the Fraser and Stein Rivers. A weekly stipend of $200 is provided.
Location: Lytton, BC. 260 km northeast of Vancouver 3 hr drive.
Farm #10
Primary products: Vegetables, microgreens, edible & cut flowers
This farm accepts couples
This farm is not able to accommodate children
This farm may offer a stipend
Apprenticeship starts: February
Apprenticeship ends: end of December
Historically, we were a high end hospitality destination with an onsite farm to table restaurant. While we do still host retreats on site, the farm to table project was such a hit that it has shifted the focus of the property and we have recently become the first year-round organic production farm in the area!
There is no shortage of learning opportunities here. With both our soil and water based systems we have a wide variety of indoor growing spaces and we are continuously learning what is possible - think harvesting tomatoes and greens throughout the winter in a greenhouse that is heated geothermally through the ground water! We are continuously stretching the boundary of what growing organic food looks like and finding the most energy efficient ways to do it. We have just recently (last summer) integrated chickens into our project and are looking forward to their contribution to our beautiful ecosystem.
For recreation, we are situated within a 10 minute drive (20-30 minute bike ride) to some of the most amazing lakes for paddling or swimming in the summer . Also close for viewing the incredible Brandywine waterfall in the sea to sky corridor OR get to some incredible climbing/hiking destinations-- it is possible to bike a short distance on the highway and connect on the popular Sea to Sky Trail that connects from Squamish all the way to Pemberton!
During the winter, we can get quite a lot of snow, So we do recommend a vehicle as we are 15 minutes from some of the most iconic skiing known to man kind, whether that be alpine skiing/snowboarding on Whistler Mountain, or cross country skiing in the Callaghan Valley. We also have a Sauna and cold plunge perfect for those cold winter nights.
Our location is pretty isolated from the nearby communities that border us (by car we are 30 minutes north of Squamish & 15 south of Whistler Creekside) however there are seven others living and working on site — all with our own unique set of skills and interests. We all reside in our own beautiful staff housing, which provides a good amount of independence and private space. That being said we do get together for team meetings and community dinners on a regular basis and it is important that everyone here is on the same page and that we are all working towards the same goals
Previously we operated on a $100/week stipend for our volunteers, and basic kitchen ingredients. Housing will likely be shared with other volunteers. Sauna/Gym use is free to use at your leisure and of course complimentary garden goods from the farm
Location: Whistler
Farm #13
Primary products: vegetables, fruit, cafe on farm
This farm accepts couples.
This farm may be able to accommodate children.
This farm offers a stipend.
Apprenticeship term: May to September
This farm has signed SOIL's host charter
We started farming because we wanted to be a part of the growing change toward sustainable and regenerative agriculture. We put a casual fine dining restaurant right in the middle of our gardens to share with our community our values and the quality that can only come from growing food naturally without tilling or using synthetic herbicides and pesticides. It’s an incredible privilege to be able to work with such accomplished and passionate chefs, and getting to see the amazing things that they can do with the food that we grow.
We take a lot of pride in being a place for people to grow, learn, and feel supported. Our greatest accomplishment has been creating a culture where respect, joy, and community are at the forefront of everything we do. We work and live as a team, and we create a work environment that fosters creativity, cooperation, and innovation. Come to us with your ideas!
We grow over 200 different types of crops that serve our restaurants, our CSA members, and the community. Everything you can imagine growing in our climate, we likely have it somewhere in the ground. Our logistics can be complicated, but if you want to learn about how to care for and grow an array of crops, you’ll find it here.
We offer room and board and all staff and interns get a 40% discount at both of our restaurants! There are some shared household tasks with a shared kitchen and washroom facilities. We offer transport to and from the farm if needed for hikes and adventures. Nearby, you can visit plenty of hiking trails, waterfalls and tucked away swimming spots. We try to get out and enjoy nature while foraging for wild plants and mushrooms for the farm as often as we can.
Location: Maple Ridge
Farm #16
Primary Products: organic fruit and vegetables
This farm accepts couples
This farm could consider hosting an apprentice with a child or children
This farm offers a stipend
Apprenticeship starts: April
Apprenticeship ends: end of October
This farm has signed SOIL's host charter.
Ron and Erin have been farming organically since 1984. Together with our family, have a lot of experience that we would love to pass on to learning farmers. We live in a beautiful, clean mountain environment, surrounded by crown land , and the traditional land of the Nla’kapamux people. We live simply, off grid. We use out houses, and have an outdoor shower. Each cabin has a solar panel to provide basic needs. There is wifi available. We sell our produce at the Vancouver farmers markets.
We grow about 7 acres of vegetables, and we have a couple acres of fruit trees. We specialize in open pollinated varieties, and heirloom varieties. Apprentices will work from April until the end of October for room and board, and a stipend of $250.00 per week. Cabins and cooking facilities are provided. There is a pond on the land, and a river with a beach. There are wonderful hiking trails nearby. Apprentices need to be committed to wanting to learn and work hard. We are a family farm, and there will be lots of fun interactions as we work together.
Location: close to Lytton.
Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program
Are you an aspiring farmer looking to gain skills and knowledge that match the ecological and regenerative values you hold? Are you feeling the farming bug, but not quite ready to take the plunge and launch your own business? Young Agrarians and our network of exceptional mentor farmers are now offering advanced, hands-on farm apprenticeships in regenerative agriculture. Participants with a serious interest, curiosity and commitment to full-time farming are invited to apply.
Our apprenticeships are a full immersion program that puts you into the heart of running a farm business, day in and day out. Our carefully selected family of farm mentors have diverse expertise and skill sets – their farm philosophy is guided by a holistic framework that recognizes the connectedness of the land and people. Although farm activities will be different on each farm, the core activities will involve care of soil, pasture and livestock, farm direct marketing, and using sustainable practices for cereal, grain, and vegetable production.
As part of the program, you will also visit other farms that are hosting apprenticeships. This gives you the opportunity to learn from other ecological farmers and make connections with other apprentices in the program. Learn more about the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship program and apply here. Host farms will conduct video or phone interviews with select applicants. Confirmation of successful applicants will be in late February/early March. Apprentice start dates vary by farm; however, are generally in April or May.
Compensation: Room, board, and wage/stipend packages vary from farm to farm. Housing is safe, secure and the internet is available on each farm. Enjoy access to farm fresh food and some shared meals.
Listen to what former apprentices have to say about their farming experience with YA!
Application deadline: Jan 31