Hiring 2024 - Full-Time Field Crews

ABOUT PUSHPANJALI FARM

Vancouver Pushpanjali Flower Farm is a non-profit small-scale ecologically-sustainable farm (0.5+ acres) operation located at ISKCON Vancouver (or the Hare Krishna Temple), in South Burnaby, BC. For over a decade now, we have been cultivating four types of marigolds. As we approach Spring 2024, we are excited to announce that this will be our fourth year of growing over 16+ different varieties of flowers both in the field and in high tunnels.

Following the instructions of Founder-acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, we use ecological farming practices to grow beautiful flowers for the community, Temple offerings and festivals. 

The Farm is also an instrument to engage the community in Bhakti Yoga (devotional service) and training. Local agriculture can also keep our community well-fed, healthy, and enjoying the simple and joyful act of connecting to the Earth through fresh, flavourful offerings and simple living; which in turn directly follows Prabhupada’s vision and instructions on self-sufficiency: 'high thinking and simple living'.

 

FULL-TIME FIELD CREWS/MARKET

We are seeking two full-time field crews/market to join our growing team! Our team of 4-6 people work hard, get dirty and enjoy the reward of bringing beautiful organic flowers to the world.

 

 

START DATE & JOB DETAILS

This is a full-time position beginning May 1, 2024 and ending September 1st, 2024, with a potential extension to continue part-time until the end of Fall or Winter. Work days are expected to be Tuesday to Saturday on the farm as well as helping at our on-site farmer’s markets at the Farm on Saturday, roughly every other week. 

Wage: Hourly wage is $18.50 to $21. We also offer a free vegetarian lunch, and excess flowers to take home.

The rate of pay will be dependent on experience plus 4% vacation pay and 5 days of paid sick leave after 90 days of employment. Hours of work a week may vary between 30-35 hours.

 

REQUIREMENT

This is a Canada Summer Jobs wage subsidy offering, where candidates need to be:

• between 18-30 years old and,
• legally authorized to work in Canada (e.g. Canadian citizen, a permanent or a temporary resident of Canada with a valid Canadian work permit). International Students are not eligible.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Harvest flowers and foliage crops properly and efficiently according to instructions,
• Prepare materials for harvest days (water buckets, elastic bands, snips, tools and equipment, etc.),
• Preparations for subscription bouquet days (ie. making bouquets, organizing, sorting flowers and storage),
• Greet customers, distribute bouquets and answer questions for subscription bouquet days,
• Greet volunteers, prepare tools and help with assigning tasks on volunteer days,
• Other field tasks as required (weeding, planting, seeding, making beds, watering, general farm upkeep and organization),
• And for the right candidate:
• Social media management and content creation (image and video posts creation, flower growing tips, etc) 
• Website management (write blog posts about growing techniques learnt, flower growing tips, and share personal experience, etc).

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Keen interest in learning about or experience in working with flowers (horticultural, landscaping, floral, etc.)
• Previous farm and outdoor work experience is an asset but not required
• Highly motivated and able to work efficiently and effectively
• Physically able to lift and move heavy things (around 25kg at the most)
• Motivated and can work efficiently and independently
• Punctual and ready to work with a good attitude in all types of weather (rain, heat, cold, mud)
• Works well in a team environment and on solo tasks
• Able to follow detailed instructions in a timely fashion
• Ability to pay attention to details and produce a high quality of work
• Adaptable in quickly changing situations with good problem-solving skills
• Excellent customer service skills, retail experience is an asset
• Creative thinker with a passion for flowers, good design, and sharing your knowledge of locally grown flowers with others

 

HOW TO APPLY

Farm work is tough work but can be physically and mentally rewarding with copious amounts of fresh air, surrounded by beauty with good people all day long!

Please email your completed resume along with a little cover letter introducing yourself to Dhruva Narayan Das at pushpanjalifarm@gmail.com before April 1st, 2024.

We’re looking forward to meeting someone special that can help carry the farm into the fall season and potentially beyond! Thank you for your application in advance!

Best,

Dhruva, Murari and the Pushpanjali Farm Team