Organic farm team 2026

Organic fruit & veggie farming

We are looking for one more person for our small team this year to start in the beginning of April 2026 and continue at least through the end of August 2026.

This is a full-time position with salary, on-site housing, some staples and some produce from the farm Preferably you will have worked on a farm for at least 2 seasons growing vegetables according to no-till organic practices.

Laughing Apple Farm is located in a scenic and quiet spot on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. We have been farming here for 28 years and have developed efficient organic methods for producing a diversity of food year-around on a small scale. We have 3 acres under cultivation for vegetables, six greenhouses for year-around production, two 200 square ft heated spaces for year-around production of lettuce and microgreens, 500+ apple trees, ~ 30 plums/pears/peach trees, 70 cherry trees, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. We have a thriving community-supported farm stand, a year-around farm membership program (like a flexible CSA), and we sell locally to some chefs. Our goal is to make delicious, beautiful, and nutritious produce and we are continually working to improve our knowledge and methods so that we grow better food and be better stewards of our land. We think providing food for people who live nearby generates community connection and is a worthy and fulfilling occupation for a lifetime. We try to encourage young people to learn to farm. Laughingapple.com

Our Team: Between April and the end of August you would be joining 4 full-time employees, some occasional part-time people, and one of the farm owners.

Why would you want to apply for this position:

• We grow a large diversity of crops! You can learn about and participate in growing almost 40 different crops organically (we are not certified) for local consumption using low till methods.
• You can learn about the whole cycle — from seed to plate — of growing edible plants: seeding, transplanting, soil care and maintenance, methods of soil preparation, mulching, irrigation systems, harvesting, cleaning and preparation for sale, and marketing the produce.
• For people who are keen to learn about running their own farm, we give opportunities to be involved with cost analysis in order to better calculate the price of various crops.
• You can interact with enthusiastic customers – Salt Spring Island has a tradition of supporting small local farms and has a creative and interesting community.
• You can learn about apple pressing on a commercial scale as we press both our own apples and many other people’s apples on the island in the fall.
• We have a flock of 50 chickens - you can learn to care for and raise
• Throughout the year there are opportunities to learn about: bee keeping, haying, irrigation systems, shop tools, fruit trees and cane fruit.
• Salt Spring Island has a beautiful natural environment with places to hike and explore all year around.
• There are opportunities to visit other farms on the island – Salt Spring Island has a vibrant farm community.

Compensation & Benefits:

• We start everyone at $20 per hour, despite your previous experience, until you can demonstrate your clear commitment and greater benefit to the farm, plus:
• Affordable on-site housing — a clean, modern RV (not shared).
• Garden space is available to grow your own food during the 2026 season
• Some food is provided (organic flour, rice, oats, beans), plus fruit and veggie seconds from the farm. We encourage you to learn to cook with all our diverse produce!
• WorkSafe(BC) coverage is provided.

Preferred qualifications...

• 1 - 2 seasons of experience with producing crops according to organic practices
• Be able to work quickly in a fast-paced environment with humor, compassion and efficiency
• Ability to concentrate and attention to details
• Physical and mental endurance – be able to work standing, kneeling, bending, lifting repeatedly
• Be flexible and adaptable when situations change
• Know how to take care of yourself – get enough rest, food and water – and be able to communicate your limits
• Be able to lift 50 pounds
• Have experience working outdoors – both on nice days and in heat/rain/cold
• Have the ability to work together with others as a team member
• Be able to work efficiently on your own (your work pace being still fast)
• Preference will be given to people who would consider staying on permanently
• Please, no smokers! Our farm has a no smoking policy (of any substance) anywhere on the property

Hours: Work week most of the year is M-F 9 am – 5:30 pm, with a ½ hour unpaid lunch break. During the hottest part of the summer, hours may be different to allow you to work in a cooler part of the day. Hours from May – August will be greater than 40 hours per week up to 45 hours on the busiest summer weeks (mid June - mid August). People will take turns with chores one day of the weekend one day a month (< 2 hours on Saturday). Unpaid leave can be taken with sufficient notice, outside the busy weeks mid June – mid-August.

Housing: This position comes with affordable on-site housing in non-shared housing in a clean, modern RV at a subsidized rate. The RV is clean and modern with electric and propane heat, fully equipped kitchen and private bathroom. Internet, electricity, water, sewer, local land-line calls are included. No smoking, pets, or recreational drugs on the property.