Growing food for a community is one of the most purposeful and grounded ways a person can spend their working days, and Grounded Acres Organic Farm on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia is currently offering five seasonal positions for the 2026 growing season across two role types. Two Field Leader positions and three Farm Worker positions are available, ranging from part-time and full-time hours across a season that runs from early spring through to late fall. This is a certified organic, mixed produce and livestock farm entering its sixth season of growing food for the Gibsons community, and the team they are building this year will work closely together across every stage of the growing cycle in a culture built on open communication, mentorship, food justice, and genuine care for every person who shows up to work the land. Field Leaders earn a starting wage of $21 to $25 per hour while Farm Workers start at $20 to $23 per hour, both dependent on farming experience, with paid vacation, paid sick days, a monthly healthcare stipend, free access to farm produce, and some housing available upon request. If organic farming, community food systems, and a values-driven workplace on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in British Columbia sounds like the right fit for your 2026 season, Grounded Acres wants to hear from you.
Company Overview
Grounded Acres Organic Farm is a small-scale, certified organic mixed produce and livestock farm growing on three acres in unceded Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory in Gibsons on BC’s Sunshine Coast. Established in 2021 and now entering their sixth season, the farm is co-owned by Mel and Hannah, who together bring decades of hands-on farming experience and a deep commitment to teaching, mentorship, and creating a genuinely supportive space for everyone who works with them. The farm produces certified organic vegetables under the BC Certified Organic Program using regenerative agricultural practices that prioritize ecosystem health alongside crop productivity. Produce is sold through a farmers’ market, farm stand, Community Supported Agriculture program, and wholesale channels, meaning the food grown at Grounded Acres reaches the community in multiple meaningful ways throughout the season. The farm is a queer-run operation with values rooted in food justice and a commitment to creating safer, more inclusive spaces in agriculture for people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Their workplace culture is centred on open communication, regular check-ins, constructive feedback in both directions, shared meals, and the genuine belief that a strong team produces not just better crops but a better experience for every person involved in growing them.
Key Responsibilities
All Farm Team Members:
- Carry out seeding and transplanting tasks across the farm’s diverse certified organic produce range, working accurately and at pace to meet the planting schedules that drive the farm’s seasonal production calendar
- Perform weed management across growing beds, tunnels, and field areas using appropriate organic methods and tools, maintaining crop health and bed cleanliness throughout the growing season
- Support and guide volunteers during harvest tasks, providing clear, patient instruction and supervision that helps volunteer contributors work safely and productively within the farm’s operations
- Build and maintain field infrastructure including trellising systems, growing tunnels, mulch application, and row cover installation and removal across the farm’s three-acre growing site and the off-site lease location at Persephone Brewing
- Harvest and process produce for market, farm stand, CSA boxes, and wholesale orders, working efficiently and carefully to maintain the quality and presentation standards that Grounded Acres’ customers expect
- Provide daily poultry care including feeding, health monitoring, egg collection, and egg washing in accordance with the farm’s animal care routines and hygiene standards
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date farm records covering planting schedules, harvest volumes, animal care logs, and any other documentation required by the farm’s organic certification and operational management systems
- Deliver excellent customer service and assist with market sales on designated market days, representing Grounded Acres with warmth, product knowledge, and the kind of genuine enthusiasm for the farm’s food that connects customers to where their produce comes from
- Contribute to landscaping and general site maintenance tasks across both growing locations, supporting the overall appearance, safety, and operational functionality of the farm property throughout the season
Field Leaders, in addition to the above:
- Take full crop-cycle responsibility for assigned crops from seeding through to final harvest, managing all decisions, planning, forecasting, and processing activities associated with those crops with the training and support of the farm co-owners
- Lead and coordinate other farm team members when they are assigned to assist with your designated crops, providing clear direction, practical mentorship, and a supportive working environment that reflects Grounded Acres’ team culture
Qualifications
What Grounded Acres is Looking For:
- Demonstrated ability to work quickly, efficiently, and calmly in a fast-paced outdoor agricultural environment, bringing tasks to completion on schedule even during the physical and logistical demands of peak growing season
- Physical capability to perform repetitive outdoor labour tasks including kneeling, bending, and lifting loads of up to 45 pounds throughout full shift hours across all weather conditions the Sunshine Coast growing season presents
- Genuine self-awareness and personal self-care strategies for managing both the physical and mental demands of outdoor farm work, including the ability to recognize your own physical limits and communicate openly when adjustments or support are needed
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under Canadian immigration law
- Skills or background in food and horticultural production, soil and landscape management, farm equipment operation and maintenance, computer record-keeping, or animal care in a farm setting are a genuine asset and will strengthen any application, though they are not required as training and mentorship are actively provided
- A valid Class 5 driver’s licence is an asset for accessing the off-site growing lease location and supporting farm transport needs, though it is not a strict requirement for any of the five positions
- Strong communication skills and a genuine openness to giving and receiving feedback, asking questions, and working through challenges constructively as part of a close-knit team that values honesty and mutual respect above all else
- A genuine alignment with Grounded Acres’ values around food justice, inclusive agricultural spaces, and community food systems is an important cultural fit consideration for all applicants
Position Details and Schedule Options:
Field Leader, two positions available:
- 7-month position running from April 6 to October 31
- 8-month position running from April 6 to November 27
- 35 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday
- Exact start and end dates are flexible and can be discussed
- Possibility to extend the end date by up to four weeks for candidates interested in fall season work
- Starting wage of $21 to $25 per hour dependent on farming experience
Farm Worker, three positions available:
- One full-time position at 35 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday, from May 4 to October 31
- Two part-time positions at 21 hours per week with flexible days between Tuesday and Saturday, from May 4 to September 30
- Exact start and end dates are flexible
- Starting wage of $20 to $23 per hour dependent on farming experience
Benefits and Perks
Grounded Acres Organic Farm has built a seasonal employment package that reflects their genuine commitment to the wellbeing, nourishment, and professional growth of every person who joins their team. Here is everything that comes with working the 2026 season at Grounded Acres:
- Starting hourly wages of $21 to $25 for Field Leaders and $20 to $23 for Farm Workers, both dependent on farming experience and reviewed in alignment with the responsibilities and contribution level of each role
- Paid vacation of 11 days for Field Leaders in the 7 or 8-month positions and 10 days for full-time Farm Workers, with 3 paid vacation days for part-time Farm Workers, giving every team member structured and compensated rest throughout the season
- Five paid sick days for all positions, ensuring that team members are not financially penalized for taking necessary rest when their health requires it
- A monthly healthcare stipend that provides financial support for personal health expenses beyond what standard employment typically covers, reflecting the farm’s genuine investment in the physical and mental wellbeing of their team
- Free access to all farm produce for personal consumption throughout the season, meaning you eat what you grow and have access to a continuous supply of fresh, certified organic vegetables throughout your employment
- A 20 percent discount on farm eggs for all team members throughout the season
- Some on-site housing available upon request for team members who need accommodation near the farm, with further details provided directly by the farm co-owners to interested candidates
- Work hours from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM with the option for earlier starts on hot days, providing a structured and reasonable daily schedule that supports physical recovery and personal time outside of work
- Safety policies in place specifically for hot days, heat waves, and wildfire smoke conditions, protecting team members during the most physically demanding and environmentally challenging periods of the BC growing season
- On-site facilities including a portable toilet, multiple potable water sinks, a microwave, kettle, and fridge space for lunch, ensuring basic comfort and nourishment needs are met throughout each working day
- Weekly cooked and shared staff lunches, regular team meetings, seasonal field walks, and community gatherings that build genuine relationships among the farm team and celebrate the food and the work that brings everyone together throughout the season
- Active mentorship and regular one-on-one check-ins with the co-owners to help you set and meet personal goals for the season, work through any challenges that arise, and receive the kind of constructive, honest support that helps people genuinely grow in their farming journey
How to Apply
Grounded Acres Organic Farm is actively hiring for the 2026 season and will begin interviewing candidates in January, with hiring continuing on an ongoing basis until all five positions are filled. Applying early gives you the best opportunity to secure your preferred role and start date before the positions close.
To apply, send a letter by email to [email protected] telling the Grounded Acres team why you are interested in this work, what relevant experience or skills you bring to the role, and which specific position you are applying for. A formal resume is welcome but the letter is the most important part of your application as the farm co-owners want to understand who you are, what draws you to organic farming and community food systems, and how you see yourself contributing to their team culture throughout the season.
Whether you are an experienced farm hand ready to step into a Field Leader role or someone earlier in your farming journey looking for a supportive and values-aligned environment to develop your skills, Grounded Acres is a team worth being part of. Send your letter today and take the first step toward a growing season you will look back on with genuine pride.
