Organic Seed Alliance

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Metchosin Farm

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Fiona Hamersley Chambers

Email: themetchosinfarm@gmail.com
Website: www.metchosinfarm.ca
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MetchosinFarm/
Twitter Profile: @https://twitter.com/metchosinf

Host Farm Info

Host Name:Fiona Hamersley Chambers
Farm description:Metchosin Farm is a certified organic seed farm and nursery located in the rural outskirts of Victoria that has been growing locally adapted seeds, soft fruits and plant starts since 2004. The farm is owned and operated by Ethnobotanist Fiona Hamersley Chambers. We grow 260+ seed crops and are always trialing new potential additions.

At Metchosin Farm we promote food security by stewarding heirloom varieties and creating new ones, too. We are very proud of our recent introductions such as 'Strawberry Cherry' and 'Metchosin Teardrop' tomatoes and new potatoes such as "Orozco' and 'My-chosen Purple'. There is no food security without seed security! Through hosting interns and providing farm-based experiential workshops for individuals and school groups, our vision is to help reclaim and teach the skill sets required to grow and save seeds.
Internship description:We are inspired to work with a candidate who is committed to a farming lifestyle and whose career goals include growing seed crops. As such, there is potential with a successful candidate for them to continue for a second season and beyond at Metchosin Farm in a Grower position (ideally suited to a Canadian citizen but we are open to supporting other nationalities who have a valid working visa and are committed to growing seeds).

An intern position entails, and is not limited to: stewarding our seed crops (including coordinating harvesting, storage and processing), cultivating plant starts and propagating perennials. Using certified organic methods and working collaboratively with our farm team, the Intern will learn particularly about the specifics of seed production (cross-pollinating and maintaining soil health, seed-specific pests and diseases, etc. This includes experience and training regarding the administrative side of running a successful seed farm including maintaining good records and basic bookkeeping.

During the shoulder season of Jan/Feb, Nov/Dec, if an Intern is present they will also help with key administrative tasks such as seed data entry and packaging/restocking, organic certification, nursery and farm stand retail, seed order processing and record keeping.

Our intern will also work closely with our experienced community volunteers (2-3 individuals, 1-2 days per week) and be comfortable interacting with our customers and the public.

During the shoulder season of Jan/Feb, Nov/Dec, the Intern will also help with key administrative tasks such as seed data entry and packaging/restocking, organic certification, nursery and farm stand retail, seed order processing and record keeping.
Languages spoken on farm:Fluent English, French, some Spanish
As part of a shared effort to provide a safe and inclusive experience for all interns and host farms, including BIPOC AND LGBQTIA+ participants, please describe how you will foster a sense of community, safety, and acceptance on your farm:We take our hosting responsibilities very seriously at Metchosin Farm, and believe that the tone of the working environment is just as important as the learning and working taking place. We check in regularly with those working on the farm to ensure they are feeling positive about their work and the work environment.

Please note that at Metchosin Farm there is:
-no hard drug use or tobacco smoking (tobacco mosaic virus!)
-no smoking of any kind (fire hazard, kids, etc.), at any time
Would you be able to provide financial compensation for an intern? If so, what form would this be in?We provide a modest stipend in addition to full room and board, wifi and laundry.
Would you be able to provide housing and amenities for an intern? If so, what form would this be in?Yes, a simple but comfortable and private renovated camper with shared washroom and laundry facilities.
What are your general expectations for an intern?We enjoy hosting an intern who is:
-familiar with, and commitment to, organic growing methods and record-keeping
-knowledgeable about soil fertility including composting and amendments
-skilled at seeding and transplanting
-careful with tools and able to maintain them and do basic repairs (hand tools, rototiller, fencing, etc.)
-seed-growing passion and and/or experience
-good organizational and time management practices
-capable of keeping good records (planting charts, seed crop record sheets, expenses, etc)
-experience with irrigation systems
-experience in teaching/education, or other leadership activitiesWe enjoy hosting an intern who:
-has some existing knowledge and skills growing plants
-is committed to farming as their profession
-works well both in a team and independently
-has a positive, 'can-do' attitude
-is a good communicator
-has a steady work ethic

Our ideal intern candidate is:
-curious and kind with a true passion for growing plants and seeds
-committed to farming as their primary income and lifestyle
-a good communicator who likes people
-willing and enthusiastic about learning
-emotionally intelligent with a healthy ego
-entrepreneurial in their thinking and/or have previously run their own business
-able to work confidently both alone and with others
-respectful with a mature attitude
- as fun to be and work with as we are!
Are you able to provide educational on-farm training for an intern?Absolutely - this is a key part of an intern's position and arrangement with us.
Preferred start date(s):February yearly
Preferred length of internship:until November 15th, yearly

Operational Info

Scale of Operations: 3 acres
Climate: Temperate-Mediterranean
Distribution: Local retail (rack sales, farmers market, etc.), Online store front
Certifications: Organic
Crop families experienced with in seed production: Artichoke, Aster, Basil, Beets, Borage, Broad beans, Broccoli, Buckwheat, Calendula, Carrot, Celery and celeriac, Chamomile, Chervil, Chicory, Chinese cabbage, Chives, Cilantro, Collards, Corn, Cornflower, Cosmos, Cucumbers, Daisy, Dill, Dry beans, Eggplant, Fava beans, Fennel, Garden beans, Garlic, Grain, Hollyhock, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Marigold, Melons, Millet, Mustards, Nasturtium, Onions, Oregano, Other, Pansy, Parsley, Peas, Peppers, Popcorn, Poppy, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Quinoa, Radishes, Rosemary, Rye, Sage, Snapdragon, Spinach, Statice, Summer squash, Sunflower, Sweet corn, Sweet pea, Swiss chard, Thyme, Tomatoes, Watermelons, Wheat, Winter squash, Zinnia
Is seed in any quantities available for purchase? Yes
Instructions for purchasing: You can purchase our seeds from our website at www.metchosinfarm.ca for either Local Pickup or Delivery By Mail.
Open to contracting for seed production?: No

Bio

Metchosin Farm is a small (10 acre) certified organic family-owned business growing 260+ varieties of seed crops and producing a wide diversity of plant starts and perennial fruit bushes. In addition to stewarding heirlooms, we develop new seed varieties and have successfully introduced new tomatoes, apples, chard, kale and other food crops to our customers in British Columbia and beyond.

Located in scenic Metchosin and adjacent to two of the fastest-growing communities in Canada (Langford and Colwood) our property of field and woodland with 3 acres under full seed and perennial production has great potential to grow. During COVID, our product sales have increased dramatically (+5,000% for online seed sales!) and we are now investing in significant infrastructure and administrative upgrades to expand and embrace this opportunity. In our renewed vision after our successful 2020 year, we reviewed our farming operation and focused on aspects that bring and add value/joy, attend to our family’s needs, as well as fulfil the demand that exists for the business. In addition to increasing the volume of seed crops and plant starts grown, we are excited to have started offering regular educational hands-on workshops and learning opportunities to individuals, families, school groups and the general public.

Operating since 2004, our farm team usually consists of the Owner (Fiona Hamersley Chambers), an Administrator, an Assistant Grower, a Farm Hand, an Intern and often 2-3 casual but regular community members (both volunteer and paid).