Miziwe Biik Flemo Farm Market Garden Trainee

Miziwe Biik

Aboriginal Employment and Training

This position is only open to those currently registered with Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training unemployed or underemployed Indigenous people who live in the Greater Toronto Area. Indigenous people are First Nations status and non-status Métis and Inuit. If you do not meet this criteria you will not be considered for this application. You are required to submit your Client Registration Form by visiting the link below:

Biik - Torontos Indigenous Employment & Training. To learn more click below.

are currently seeking the ideal candidate to fill the position of:

Flemo Farm Market Garden Trainee

At FoodShare we advocate for food justice by supporting community-based food initiatives and through ongoing advocacy and public education. Our vision is a Toronto where all people can feed themselves their loved ones and their communities with dignity and joy. We operate on a people-first model that values fair compensation policies that respect a work/life balance and the contributions of our team members at all levels.

Main Tasks:

In 2026 Flemo Farm a Community Engagement and Entrepreneurial Development (CEED) project embarked on its fifth year of cultivating a thriving urban farm spanning half an acre within the Flemingdon Park hydro corridor. The Market Garden Trainee will play a central role in the entire farming process from seeding planting harvesting and selling the produce at the weekly farmers market. Work closely with the farms coordinators on infrastructure maintenance and community engagement with the residents of Flemingdon Park. Additionally the Market Garden Trainee will actively engage in a series of technical workshops on farming including food justice farming techniques community gardening and anti-oppression strategies. The candidate will share experience and knowledge support community engagement and assist with tours and volunteers during the growing season.

Employment in this role is conditional upon obtaining a clear Vulnerable Sector Check which is required prior to the start date. Additionally the successful applicant must obtain Food Handler Safety certification and Standard First Aid CPR certification. FoodShare will cover the costs of these certifications.

You can find more information about Flemo Farm here.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

Farm Task

• Work closely with the Farm Coordinator to oversee various farm activities including seeding transplanting mulching weeding watering pruning and harvesting to ensure the farms success.
• Support to manage the orchard shelterbelt and pollinator areas in accordance with the maintenance plan with the team on site.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to high school students participating in on-farm activities and program field trips supporting their personal and educational growth.
• Support Community Engagement by cultivating a warm inclusive environment for volunteers and actively engaging with community members. This includes supporting gardening volunteers leading farm tours collaborating with local farmers potentially representing the project at events and in media and sharing insights into the farms journey.
• Facilitate the smooth harvesting and distribution of produce grown at the school farms. This involves managing weekly orders maintaining harvest records and efficiently handling data.
• Support shifts at our on-site market guiding young team members in handling transactions showcasing products and delivering exceptional customer service to our patrons.
• Assist in overseeing community composting activities at the farm site including working with residents to set up three-cell compost bins training farmers and maintenance and actively engaging in community outreach efforts to promote system use
• Collaborate seamlessly with a diverse team of volunteers student interns co-op students and fellow School Grown staff to efficiently accomplish daily tasks.
• Contribute to developing engaging age-appropriate and curriculum-linked lesson plans related to food systems and food justice issues designed for virtual teaching
• Support other Community Food Growing projects (e.g. Flemo Farm Composting Vermicomposting garden installations Sunshine Garden and Community garden initiatives).

Administrative Tasks:

• Assist with record-keeping (planting logs crop yields volunteer hours etc.)
• Track youth participation gather feedback and assist in program evaluation to assess impact and areas for growth.
• Safely operate and maintain machinery including the BCS tractor equipment and tools
• Maintaining programming in line with FoodSharess Food Justice principles and Body Liberation principles
• Ensure all relevant documentation/records are maintained and kept in a secure location
• Participate in farm-wide initiatives and events
• Participating in Community Food Growing and FoodShare staff meetings all staff training and reporting requirements such as timesheets and handling other duties as assigned
• Follow and ensure compliance with all organizational procedures and policies including Health and Safety policies.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 1 years of experience in vegetable gardening growing food or working with plants
• At least 1 years of experience working with community groups and diverse communities. Passion for Community-Led Projects: An interest in community-led food initiatives and/or neighborhood-based community organizing is a plus.
• Youth Engagement: Prior experience working with children and youth is beneficial.
• Commitment to Food Justice: A demonstrated dedication to the principles of food justice and equity is essential
• Diversity Awareness: The ability to work effectively within a diverse community respecting people of various ages abilities and cultural backgrounds.
• Outdoors Enthusiast: A genuine enthusiasm for working outdoors.
• Green Thumb: Experience in gardening food cultivation or plant-related work is a valuable asset.
• Food Systems Knowledge: An advantage is familiarity with food systems including growing cooking and composting.
• Effective Communication: Strong interpersonal and some conflict de-escalation skills are required to engage effectively with community members and team members.
• Team Player: The ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Drivers License: Possessing a valid G Drivers License is an asset.
• Food Justice Commitment: A strong commitment to the principles of food justice is integral to this role.

If you meet these qualifications and are enthusiastic about making a positive impact in our community we encourage you to apply.

Requirements:

• Registered and meet eligibility critiera with Miziwe Biik: Register vie link below: tasks such as bending crouching lifting and reaching.
• Full shifts standing and working on your feet
• Use of hand tools and mechanized equipment
• Regularly lifting over 40 lbs.
• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (heat sun rain cold).
• Class G Ontario Drivers License (An asset not mandatory)
• • Access to a vehicle is an asset for this role if you do not have your own vehicle you may use a FoodShare vehicle if you meet the following criteria:
  • • A valid Ontario G License a minimum of 3 years of insured experience with no major driving infractions in the last 7 years. A Drivers Abstract may be required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada

Total Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary: $46588.50/ Annually (35 hours per week)*
• Contract Type: Fixed term - Full-time
• Vacation: 4 weeks paid vacation per year prorated based on start date.
• FoodShare Health Benefit Reimbursement of up to $1500 per calendar year prorated based on start date.
• Start Date: April 2026

Additional Leave:

• Personal Leave Days: 10 paid personal leave days per year prorated based on start date.
• Wellness Days: 20 paid wellness days/sick leave per year prorated based on start date.

*Note: As part of FoodShares commitment to equity salaries and benefits are non-negotiable

Additional Information:

• Reports to: School Grown Program Coordinator
• Supervises: Miziwe Biik job training staff Seasonal Youth hired through Canada Summer Jobs and Focus on Youth students Co-op Students and Interns.
• Location: Flemo Farm (150 Grenoble Drive) and other CFG locations
• Duration: This is a one year contract beginning April 2026 and ending on March 31 2027

TO APPLY: Please submit your resume and cover letter by 5:00pm on Wednesday February 25 2026.

Selection Process:

• Must be registered with Miziwe Biik to be eligible
• FoodShares recruitment process involves the anonymization of all resumes prior to their being screened by the hiring committee. This step removes applicant personal details (names email addresses) educational & employment institutions years of work experience and personal interests to reduce potential for bias. Please make sure to detail your experience in your resume/cover letter to ensure the committee has the information they need to assess your qualifications for the role. This process takes at least 3 weeks from the application deadline.
• The hiring committee will review anonymized versions of the applications that pass the initial screening and decide which to invite to interview. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• The hiring committee will conduct first round interviews with selected candidates. Candidates will be sent the interview questions 48 hours in advance of their scheduled interview. Candidates are welcome but not expected or required to send any questions they have for the hiring committee in advance of the interview. These usually occur about 4 weeks after the application deadline.
• In recognition of the time and labour of preparing for and attending an interview FoodShare financially compensates interviewees at a fixed rate of $75 per interview.
• HR will conduct reference checks for the candidate they intend to extend an offer to. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• HR will send the selected candidate an Employment Agreement which the candidate will have at least 3 business days to review and return.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! FoodShare is a food justice organization. This means that we are committed to working to identify and dismantle systemic forms of oppression that cause and perpetuate food security inequities.

Racialized people and others from equity-seeking groups are over-represented in food insecurity and poverty statistics but are significantly under-represented in community based food organizations. We believe that those most affected by an issue must have access to paid positions in organizations tasked with challenging poverty and food insecurity. FoodShare strives to create a workspace that reflects the diversity of identities and lived experiences that exist within the communities we work alongside. If you see yourself reflected in 80% of the requirements for this role please consider applying.

If you require accommodation when navigating the application process please contact:

Required Experience:

Intern