BC farms > Vancouver & Cariboo Farms

Farm #1

Located on the Fraser River's floodplains in the spectacular Glen Valley (only 60km from Vancouver), this co-operatively-owned farm has two businesses that sell fruit and vegetable crops at a variety of markets throughout the Lower Mainland. We're looking for apprentices interested in pursuing a career in small-scale agriculture. Through an apprenticeship on our farm you will gain a comprehensive understanding of operating a diversified, small-scale, certified organic farm. From crop planning, business management and seeding to weeding, harvesting and marketing, we offer a holistic understanding of agriculture and a small community of dedicated farmers who live on the farm. On-farm accommodation, access to farm food and a fair wage offered to apprentices. There is a long-term opportunity to farm with us if we feel there is a good fit after a full season.

Location: Abbottsford, BC. 67 km southeast of Vancouver, 1 hr drive.

Farm #2

We are a group of energetic farmers living in one of the most magnificent remaining jewel of West Coast Canadian Wilderness. You will take part in the daily operations of a multi-farm CSA. As such, you might work on several farms on a per need basis or according to your learning objectives. The opportunities are endless: beekeeping, mushroom growing, green building, permaculture, biodynamic, animal husbandry, cheese and wine making, orchard management, farmer's market and CSA musing. You will be living in a beautiful 5 bedroom farm house (photo) with other interns or volunteers. The house has WIFI and a full kitchen. We will be hosting feasts at least once a week or cook pizza on the clay oven. We are 5 minutes away from excellent salmon fishing and are surrounded by glacier mountains that offer world class rock climbing and hiking. You might also want to visit the inlets on a kayak or canoe the Turner lake chain. Contact us to learn more!

Location: Bella Coola, BC. 10 minutes from DT Bella Coola.

Farm #3

Learn to milk goats and make cheese and yogurt on a 20 acre farm in a rural community 70 kms from Vancouver. This certified organic farm is owned by a homeschooling family with 20 years farming experience. They have 60+ milking goats, a host of 100 young stock chickens, 2 pigs, a small vegetable garden, fruit and nut trees and a great library on farming and cheesemaking. Apprentices will live with the family in a shared room with other farm volunteers.

Location: Abbottsford, BC. 70 km southeast of Vancouver, 1 hr drive.

Farm #4

This twenty acre farm is located 70km east of Vancouver. It has fruit and nut trees, wooded areas, coldframes, and fields, two houses, a cabin, and other various outbuildings. A group of ten diverse individuals live on this twenty acre farm co-op that is also linked to a housing co-op in Vancouver. Our common goal is to steward the land in a sustainable manner using organic methods and applying permacultural principals. This urban-rural co-op was started over 25 years ago. For almost twenty of those years, an organic salad company owned by some residents has been growing mixed salad greens, vegetables, and herbs. The land is rich in preserved riparian zones and mixed fruit and nut trees. Apprentices will have an opportunity to learn about all areas of plant care and the economics of running a viable organic farming enterprise. Other areas of potential learning include: no-till agriculture, seed growing, edible landscaping, farmers markets, cooperative land ownership and communal living.

Location: Aldergrove, BC. 65 km southeast of Vancouver, 55 minutes.

Farm #5

Our farm is located in the semi-arid wilderness of the Fraser Canyon and is nourished by pure mountain water. With 16 years experience, we grow a diversity of vegetables and fruit for market, restaurants, and stores in Vancouver. In addition to many varieties of garlic, onions, basil, cucumbers, celeriac, fennel, squash, eggplants, zucchini, peaches, cherries, plums, and apples, we specialize in growing over 50 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Apprentices will have many different learning opportunities such as: orchard management, irrigation, compost building, garden planning, marketing strategies, and crop production. Apprentices will have their own cabins and organic food provided. We love to create and enjoy feasts from the garden to celebrate summer! We provide a generous stipend.

Location: Lytton, BC. 260 km northeast of Vancouver 3 hr drive.

Farm #6

We farm at the mouth of the Fraser River, only a five minute bike ride to the town of Ladner. We grow a wide variety of vegetables and have chickens as well. We currently direct market all of our crops. Everything is sold via farmers markets, our CSA or to chefs in town. We are strong advocates for farmland preservation and are active in our local farming community. We are young and ambitious farmers who love what we do. Apprentices will learn a wide array of skills throughout the growing season but main tasks include crop planning, planting, weeding, irrigation and harvesting, preparing CSA boxes, attending farmers markets and various livestock chores. We are looking for one or possibly two apprentices from April-November. Apprentices would have separate accommodations, with shared bathroom in the main house. We usually have a shared lunchtime meal, while typically other meals are on your own. We are looking for hardworking souls that have a genuine interest in farming and food. Stipend available and some flexibility to start and end dates etc.

Location: Ladner. 30 km or half hour drive to Vancouver.

Farm #7

This farm is currently located on a 40 acre parcel of Crown land, less than 5 km outside the City of Langley. The farm is approximately 25 miles from the City of Vancouver, proper and easily accessible by mass transit. The farm runs a vegetable CSA which provides 20 weekly distributions to as many as 120 families each week. For 2011, I am hoping to find 2 experienced apprentices for the full season, (March/April to November/December). These apprentices would be involved in all aspects of the farm operation, including use of all tools and equipment. While these two apprenticeship positions would only be for a single season, i am looking for candidates who are self starting, responsible and would have the potential of finding a long term home at this farm. Candidates with the ability and commitment necessary to fill that role and to assist with the expansion of the CSA would clearly merit a larger stipend than those not so motivated. The exact terms of the apprenticeship (start date, end date, hours of work, days off and vacations, stipend) are to some degree flexible and can be discussed when you respond to this invitation. In the past two years, people participating as informal apprentices have obtained between $500 and $800 per month depending on experience, length of stay and hours of work. Each of the two apprentices would have their own private living space, but would be welcome to spend leisure time in the house's main living room. Most meals are prepared in the house kitchen and food is purchased for all from the common fund. The house is vegetarian and all farm team members would be expected to share in basic household tasks.

Location: Langley, BC. 5 km from Langley, 40 km southeast of Vancouver.

Farm #8

Located between the towns of Williams Lake and Quesnel, this 105 acre farm grows mixed vegetables on 5 acres that are sold through farmers markets and a CSA program. Apprentices can learn about planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting in the garden. Interested apprentices may also take part in work with horses, writing articles for the weekly CSA newsletter and building projects around the farm. Apprentice would have their own small cabin.

Location: Williams Lake, BC. 500 km north of Vancouver, 6 hr drive.