Organic Assistant Grower

**Organic Assistant Grower**

**Location**: Freeman Herbs, 4075 North Service Rd, Lincoln, ON, L3J 1J4
**Department**: Growing

**Job Type**: Full-time / On-site

**About Us**

At Freeman Herbs, we're passionate about growing fresh, high-quality herbs and vegetables. Every day, we focus on quality, service, and innovation, striving to positively impact the lives of our employees, families, and customers. We're looking for motivated individuals to join our greenhouse team and help bring our mission, vision and values to life through our fresh herbs and vegetables.

**About the Role**:
The Organic Assistant Grower is responsible for ensuring Freeman Herbs has healthy and pest free crops. The Organic Assistant Grower will maintain a low pest count and work on future methods of control. The Organic Assistant Grower will collaborate with the growers for optimizing our climate conditions.

Key Responsibilities
- Ensure that watering of plants is maintained at appropriate levels and the right values of soil quality parameters are maintained.
- Monitor successful germination rates and communicate findings, and concerns on a weekly basis to the Organic Head Grower and the grow team.
- Attend and participate in grower's meetings, welcoming feedback and identifying process improvements.
- Coordinate and execute IPM schedules and monitor their results and outcomes.
- Report findings on the weekly meetings with the IPM team.
- Communicate with appropriate plant maintenance practices timely in order that the right people are assigned on time for completion of tasks.
- Ensure the cleanliness of the greenhouse by destroying unwanted plant inventory and making sure the greenhouse is kept at high sanitary standards that are suitable for high-quality disease-free plant growth.
- Report any items that require maintenance promptly to avoid crop being at risk and notify the Organic Head Grower of potential issues.
- Participate in training and implement required protocols as per CFIA, GAP, and organic certifications.
- Adhere to growing practices in line with the Standard Operating Procedure of the department.
- Maintain a clean and safe work environment.
- Adhere to Freeman Herbs health and safety policies and procedures, ensuring all work activities comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). This includes proper handling of equipment, chemicals, and materials, maintaining a safe work environment, reporting hazards, incidents, and participating in safety training and drills as required.

What We're Looking For

Experience and Requirements:

- Diploma and/or degree in horticulture/agriculture
- Previous greenhouse or agricultural experience
- Strong understanding of pest management and pesticide use
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel)
- Strong attention to detail and organizational abilities
- Effective communication skills (written and verbal)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Familiarity with health and safety practices in a greenhouse setting
- Effective communication skills for coordinating with team members and supervisors
- Ability to work independently and manage time efficiently
- Adaptability to changing tasks, weather conditions, and seasonal workloads
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn new techniques and procedures
- Willingness to work extra hours during peak seasons and including possible Saturdays

What We Offer:

- A collaborative and supportive team environment
- Paid time off
- RRSP matching after one year of employment
- Health and dental benefits after three months of employment
- Being part of a company that values innovation in organic growing

At Freeman Herbs, we are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environment. Please advise the Human Resources Department if you require accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection processes and/or within the work environment. Information received for accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.