Ontario farms

Farm #1 -New Farm!!

This is a private farm of 78 acres located just 10km south east of Guelph with many opportunities there.

In the last few years the farm has been in transition from being leased out to a large commercial operation to a market garden organic farm. Some twenty acres are now fully certified by Ecocert, with the remainder in pre-certification status. At present, the farming operation is confined to vegetable rotations (no animal husbandry), with an emphasis on heritage varieties, and best practice soil management. With expansion, this year we hope to increase our market base. In 2009, marketing was primarily through gate sales, and country markets. In addition, produce was sold to a few local restaurants. Plans for our own market are underway, as well as expanding sales at other locations.

Intern(s) would have access to bicycles, and drive into the city, within reason, if needed. There are many parks, hiking trails nearby, with close access to the Bruce Trail. We are on a steep learning curve, but Gerry is a full-time teacher and we both have a gift not only for learning but for teaching. Sue is a full-time MD and has expertise in many other areas as well. This 1845 farm, is not only historic, but absolutely beautiful. The 3200 sq ft farm house has seen extensive renovations and the very old bank barn is in fabulous condition. There is a quonset hut for machinery, a small greenhouse, with plans for a larger one, this year. The intern, at least at first, will be treated as a neo-phyte farmer, and will be taught from the ground up. From seedling prep., to transplanting, to soil prep, to weed recognition, to safe handling of machinery, to spray protocols (Organic, of course), WHMIS, marketing, record keeping and very much more. There will be many opportunities to learn off farm as well. The intern will live in the farm house, with access to a partially-shared bathroom (probably with one other), own room (unless a couple), access to living areas, wireless internet, TV (movies only) and Wii. Cooking responsibilities will be shared with the family; a schedule will be set-up with agreed-upon breaks from it. Thinking 4 or 5 days/week of work, 6 or more hours/day. Stipend to be negotiated and will be typical, with end of season bonus, provided intern stays into October.

Location: Puslinch. 10 km Southeast of Guelph, 60 km West of Toronto.

Farm #2

Our Organic Farming Certificate (OFC) program is a seven month program. There are five OFC internship positions available in 2010. Interns live and work at the centre for the duration of the program. The OFC is a tuition-based program which makes it unlike most other internships which often pay interns small monthly stipends and provide room and board in exchange for farm labour. The OFC is based on the training curriculum developed by the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at University of California at Santa Cruz.

You will receive a balance of practical field training and theoretical learning. The weekly OFC schedule is divided as follows: Three days per week farm work performing the full range of farm tasks from soil preparation and planting to harvesting and market. Two days per week of instruction/training following the units of study in the OFC curriculum. Instruction/training includes: field trips (six daylong field trips in cooperation with the other farms in southwestern Ontario, plus 18 other field trips specific to the OFC), informal lectures/seminars (primarily discussion based), a personal garden plot project completed by each intern, field walks and technical field demos, and required readings. Two days off per week. FIve tuition grants offered. The only cost will be for room and board. The 250 acre farm is located outside Toronto.

Location: Hillsburgh, 82 km west of Toronto, 65 minutes drive. 24 km south of Guelph, 35 minutes drive.

Farm #3

Work with a 6th generation family farm with 300 acres of wetlands, lake front, ponds and forest, and 40 acres of cultivated land, producing maple syrup, strawberries, raspberries and a diversity of vegetables which are sold from the farm to local clientele,restaurants,chefs and a through a CSA program. This farm is strongly committed to maintaining soil fertility through sustainable and biological practices. The farm also has an antique business and sells local honey and preserves. A 150 year old log house is being converted into a facility that will promote local food prepared by local chefs. This farm is concerned with localand global food issues and that is reflected in our logo ' Think global and eat local'. You will live in a fully equipped and furnished house on the farm which the apprentices will manage. A small stipend of $100/week will also be provided. Located near Toronto.

Location: Milford Bay, Muskoka 200 km north of Toronto. 2 hr drive.

Farm #4

Tread lightly on the earth along side these two farmers, two dogs and two cats on their rural farm and bed and breakfast. Help this couple on their acre of mixed vegetables from spring to summer and assist in daily tasks of planting, hilling, mulching, harvesting, and caring for 30 laying hens. Live in their home/B&B, join in the daily tasks, and share in the bounty of the land. No smoking please, vegetarian meals provided.

Location: Stirling.

Farm #5

Live on a modern organic 200 acre third generation dairy farm with acreage in corn, oats, hay, and pasture. Learn how to use and maintain farm equipment, care for and milk livestock, and fencing. You will be paid an hourly wage plus room and board. You will be working side by side with the owner and going out to see other farms and attending agriculture events. This farm is involved in 4-H, junior farmers and have had many international students stay on the farm. Take part in the long hours, enjoyments and disappointments of real life with this old Canadian family. We are officially certified organic.

Location: Norwich

Farm #6 -Full for 2010, Please apply for 2011.

Join us on our beautiful rolling, 70 acre farm located about 20 minutes out of Guelph (1.25 hours from Toronto). With the apprenticeship we offer you will learn about organic seedling production, mushroom growing, dry bean and nut tree production, as well as animal care (we raise cattle, meat birds, laying hens and pigs). Our greenhouse seedling operation is certified organic and we are also currently investigating the possibility of starting a certified organic market garden. Other crops are grown organically, though not certified, and our livestock are raised using natural methods - no hormones, no antibiotics, no GMO's, no chemical fertilizers/pesticides on the land, pasture-based, but using conventional feeds where we have to buy in. The apprenticeship includes all aspects of the farm activities as well as marketing direct from the farm and via stores and farmers' markets. This is lovely work that begins in mid-winter with animal care, planning and some construction work, then transitions to days spent in our greenhouses working with young seedlings in the blustery cold of March. The busy greenhouse growing and transplant marketing season begins to overlap with field/garden planting and mushroom inoculation, as well as the arrival of piglets, chicks and calves in April and May. By early July the greenhouse season wraps up and the field crop/gardening season is in full swing, along with, as always, animal care activities. This then transitions into harvesting and marketing of meat, mushrooms and garden/field crops as the season begins to roll towards its close. We also have a very knowledgeable beekeeper keeping his bees on our land, which provides yet another opportunity for learning. Come and experience the full cycle with us. We have a large home in which an apprentice can live throughout the season or, if preferred, during the summer months there is the possibility of setting up lodging at the lovely pond we have on the property.

Location: Rockwood, 87 km west of Toronto, 1 hr 10 minutes drive. 1.23 hr from Toronto, 20 minutes out of Guelph.

Farm #7 -New Farm!!

4 internship positions are available at this Farm. Positions run from April/May to the end of October, however time frames are negotiable.

The Farm offers interns a hands-on experience on 50 acres of land, growing various certified organic vegetables throughout the year. Our farm also raises some livestock including beef goats meat chickens, turkeys and laying hens for which we grow our own grains and hay. We market our produce through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), 5 local markets, 2 in Peterborough and 1 in Kingston and in the Greater Toronto Area.

Interns will have the chance to be involved in all aspects of running a self-reliant farmstead, and will learn about: soil mixes (how to create your own mix), greenhouse management, seeding, transplanting, cultivation techniques, irrigation, weeding, diversified crop rotations, harvesting, compost making and application, seed saving, the nutritional value and preserving of our products, and marketing. Participate in the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT Ontario). Daily field-to-table meal preparations will be shared just like all other tasks on the farm. You will work along with us, one full time worker and other occasional workers using your creativity to learn more about the interconnectivity of all things.

Interns will share our '1904' farmhouse and have their separate shared living quarters to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Interns will receive weekly stipends of $100/week plus room and board.

We have been farming our land for the past 25 years with our four daughters, who help out on market days (one daughter being full time) and one part time during the summer months). If you are an individual with a genuine interest in organic farming, a readiness to learn, work hard in fast paced environment and have fun, join our team.

Location: Frankford, ON. 2 hrs east of Toronto or 1hr west of Kingston.

Farm #8 - Coming soon!

Farm #9

Small mixed farm in the Muskoka District 2 hrs north of Toronto. Orgainc since 1982. Learn market garden production from starting seedlings in greenhouses in farm made soil mixes, to planting, to cultivating, to harvesting and finally selling. Top quality products at 2 farmers markets, restaurants and retail outlets. Livestock include sheep, cattle and meat birds, all pasture raised. Two apprentices needed from April to October. Housing in unserviced cabin or spare bedroom in farmhouse. Eat farm grown meat and vegetables. Monthly stipend amount depending on experience. (minimum $400/mo. plus room and board)

Location: Seven Bridge

Farm #10

Choose from a wide range of learning experiences on this busy family farm in the rolling hills outside of London. This 20 acre farm is diverse in every way with self sufficient vegetable production, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, forestry and dairy operations. Marketing to neighbourhood CSA and farmers market. Take this opportunity to join in the daily activities as well as helping to develop new projects for the farm. Everyone welcome to apply, many living situations possible.

Location: Thamesford, 173 km west of Toronto, 1 hr 50 minutes drive. 24 km northeast of London, 25 minutes drive.

Farm #11 - No longer a SOIL farm.

Farm #12

Work and learn on a 52 acre farm south of Ottawa between Kemptville and Smithfalls in the town of Jasper. This farm has 10 acres apple orchard, 4 acres of garden, which includes 1/2 an acre of garlic, raspberries, strawberries, potatoes, greens and other annual vegetables, fall mums and cut flowers. There is a forest of White Pine and White Spruce trees with trails throughout. Be part of a pick your own operation where customers come and pick their own apples, dig their own fall mums and harvest their own pumpkins for Halloween. This farm offers workshops throughout the season, How to prune and plant apple trees, how to process your fruit and vegetables for winter storage,how to make your own wreaths and how to plant garlic in the fall. The farm also has seeds and organic supplies available and hand out resource materials to visitors. It supplies a local restaurant with heirloom tomatoes and salad greens.

Location: Jasper