Introduction:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Program Manager will work in collaboration with Klinse-za Cultural Society and Amisk Farm to oversee the day-to-day operations of the agricultural training program (I-FEAST). The program manager will also coordinate community programming centered around Indigenous food sovereignty and cultural revitalization.

Amisk Farm is an Indigenous-owned and operated, small-scale farm located in Moberly Lake on Saulteau First Nations Reserve. Amisk Farm produces a wide variety of vegetable crops for no cost to Indigenous community members in the Moberly Lake area. This work is done in collaboration with Klinse-za Cultural Society, Tea Creek Training and the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Association (IFSA).

About I-FEAST:

The Indigenous-led Foodlands Employment Apprenticeship Skills Training (I-FEAST) is a program developed and operated by Tea Creek Training, and is carried out at Amisk Farm as a satellite location for participants in the Moberly Lake area who are interested in trying different trades and skills in an agricultural context, while learning to grow and prepare healthy food in a culturally-focused setting.

I-FEAST is an 11-week program offered during the growing season (June-Aug) at Amisk Farm. During the 11 weeks, program participants (aged 18+) will have multiple opportunities to try out a wide variety of trades and skills such as (but not limited to):

• Carpentry

• Mechanics

• Heavy equipment operation

• Horticulture & landscaping

• Crop planning and management

• Cooking

• Harvesting and processing of vegetable crops

• Animal Husbandry

• Marketing and administration

• Wild game & plant medicine harvesting and processing

Indigenous Food Sovereignty Program Manager:

The Indigenous Food Sovereignty Program Manager will be responsible for supervising I-FEAST program participants during the growing season. Additional trainers will be brought in for various farm projects to teach the participants about various trades and skills.

Ideally, the Indigenous Farm Trainee Program Manager will be equipped with a strong knowledge or interest in farming or gardening of vegetable crops, and/or Indigenous food systems as the day-to-day tasks are typically focused on vegetable farming.

Other tasks the Indigenous Farm Trainee Program Manager is responsible for:

• Curriculum development 

• IFEAST trainee recruitment

• Tracking and submitting trainee hours for payroll

• Regular one-on-one meetings with trainees to gauge their well-being and experiences in the program

• Planning day-to-day tasks/to-do lists in collaboration with the Executive Director

• Collaborating with farm staff (separate from trainee program) to coordinate harvest and processing for our weekly community produce giveaways and markets

• Ensuring farm equipment stays organized and work areas clean

• Ensuring trainees are able to make it to the work site each day- many do not have secure transportation and ride-sharing is often necessary. This could look like coordinating or providing rides to and from work on reserve nearby; reimbursement is available.

• Developing and executing a daily on-site meal program 

• Assisting with day-to-day operations of the farm and non-profit organization

• Coordinating food sovereignty programming

• Grant writing

**Must-have qualities we are looking for in the Indigenous Farm Trainee Program Manager**:

• Open mind and heart: You must be able to demonstrate a deep understanding and respect for the diverse experiences, cultures, and worldviews of Indigenous peoples, and approach all situations with empathy and a willingness to learn. In working with individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds, it is crucial to create a safe and non-judgmental space where all trainees feel valued and supported. Many Indigenous community members have faced historical and intergenerational trauma, which can heavily impact their participation and learning experiences at times. We need a team member who can foster trust and is able to adapt their management approach to the unique needs of each trainee, helping them overcome barriers and succeed in the program.

• Highly organized: Each work day must be coordinated and planned in advance (with support from the board of directors) to ensure a smooth workflow for our program participants.

• Confident and motivating leader: Leads by example, inspiring trainees and colleagues with clear communication, encouragement, and a positive attitude, while empowering others to take initiative and develop their skills. Must be able to confidently navigate conflict, and must be able to continuously encourage work ethic and respect amongst trainees.

• Adaptable: Demonstrates flexibility in a dynamic and evolving environment, able to adjust to changes in tasks, weather conditions, and the unique needs of trainees while maintaining a focus on program goals.

• Healthy and physically capable: Healthy living is emphasized at Amisk Farm and we prefer applicants who do not smoke/vape or engage in high-risk behaviours. This is also a highly physical job- quick and repetitive movements are a part of daily life here for tasks such as weeding, shovelling, etc. While the manager is mostly responsible for coordination and supervision, we prefer applicants who are excited and willing to help out with farm tasks alongside staff and trainees.

• Experience in teaching: The ability to effectively and enthusiastically teach rather than  solely giving work orders is crucial for program participation and the success of the program. Your experience could be you have taught a workshop, worked in a youth program, or worked in a formal teaching role. We are always thinking of ways to turn the sometimes menial tasks of farming into teaching moments whether it is about ecology, soil science, Indigenous knowledge, or economics- whatever you are interested in or are excited about! It is important to remember that not all trainees are particularly interested in farming, or may have little knowledge about growing food, so any opportunity to teach should be utilized.

Experience in the following is considered an asset, but training and support are always available for those who need it:

• ATV operations

• Tractor experience

• Social media management, marketing, and administration

• Bookkeeping experience or training

• Formal management experience

• FOODSAFE Level 1

• First Aid Level 1

• Experience in trades or food-related skills that you are excited to share with trainees

Indigenous applicants or those with lived experience in Indigenous communities are prioritized for this role, however, we encourage open-minded allies with relevant experience to apply.

Hours are 8 AM - 4 PM Monday to Friday, at a rate of $45/hr. The length of employment is from April 2025 to October 2025, however, exact start and end dates are negotiable. 

If you think you are a good fit, please apply, even if you do not meet all of the qualifications. We will only respond to those who provide a cover letter in addition to their resume.

Please send your cover letter and resume to info@amiskfarm.ca