Job In Canada
Assistant Farm Manager Needed In Canada By Dashwood Farm
We are seeking a proactive and hands-on Assistant Farm Manager to support the day-to-day operations of our farm. This role involves supervising staff, monitoring crop and/or livestock production, maintaining equipment, and ensuring efficient workflow across the farm. The ideal candidate should be passionate about agriculture, detail-oriented, and capable of assisting in both planning and execution of farm activities.
Job details
- Location: Qualicum Beach, BCV9K 2B2 Work locationOn site
- Salary: 25.00 hourly / 40 hours per week
- Terms of employment Permanent employment: Full time Early morning, Morning, Day, Evening, Night, Weekend, Shift, On call, To be determined Starts as soon as possible
- Benefits: Other benefits
- vacancies1
Overview
Languages
English
Education
- Secondary (high) school graduation certificate
- or equivalent experience
Experience
2 years to less than 3 years
Work site environment
- Broiler and other meat-type chicken production
- Chicken farming
- Corn farming
- Dry pea and bean farming
- Duck and geese farming
- Floriculture production
- Fruit and vegetable combination farming
- Hay farming
- Hog and pig farming
- Layer poultry farming
- Livestock combination farming
- Organic farming
- Other miscellaneous crop farming
- Other vegetables and melon farming (except potato)
- Sheep farming
- Dusty
- Hot
- Noisy
- Odours
- Outdoors
- Berries
- Experimental
- Grain, oil and forage crop
- Harvest crops
- Horticultural field crop
- Livestock
- Mushrooms
- Potato and vegetable
- Poultry and egg production
- Tree and orchard fruit
- Vineyard
Work setting
- Rural area
Key Responsibilities
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Support the Farm Manager in planning and overseeing planting, harvesting, and production schedules.
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Supervise farm workers, assign daily tasks, and ensure safety protocols are followed.
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Monitor crop health, soil conditions, irrigation, and livestock well-being.
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Maintain and inspect farm machinery and equipment to ensure optimal performance.
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Assist with inventory management for seeds, feed, fertilizers, and other supplies.
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Keep accurate farm records (production data, costs, and maintenance logs).
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Help identify areas for improving efficiency and productivity.
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Coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders as needed.
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Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
Qualifications & Skills
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Diploma or bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, Agribusiness, or a related field (or equivalent farm experience).
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1–3+ years of experience in farming operations or agricultural management.
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Knowledge of crop and/or livestock production practices.
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Strong leadership and team management skills.
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Good problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
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Ability to operate farm machinery and basic maintenance knowledge.
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Proficiency in recordkeeping and basic computer skills (Excel, farm management software).
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Physical fitness and willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
Key Competencies
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Organizational Skills: Capable of managing multiple farm tasks simultaneously.
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Communication: Able to work effectively with farm staff and management.
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Attention to Detail: Monitoring farm operations closely to catch problems early.
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Adaptability: Responding to changing weather or production needs quickly.
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Hands-On Leadership: Leading by example in day-to-day farm activities.
Tasks
- Clear and collect brush and debris from fields, pens and other work areas
- Consider water saturation, light and temperature when planning for crop growth and development
- Coordinate planting and cultivating activities
- Cultivate on vertical farming system
- Decide on best techniques to maximize extracted honey production
- Develop a hoeing strategy for crops
- Develop and guide the behaviour of farm animals
- Direct agricultural crops clipping activities
- Direct agricultural crops deleafing activities
- Direct farm grooming activities
- Divide fresh harvested produce into marketable lots and non-marketable lots
- Follow sustainable soy farming practices such as crop rotation, reduced-till or no-till, water and nutrient management, precision farming technology and cover crops
- Greenhouse cleaning
- Handling animals
- Harvest seedlings
- Implement soil fertility programs
- Implement sustainable gardening trends such as permaculture practices
- Interac with bees based on your knowledge of their biology, behaviour, ecology and caste system
- Level earth to fine grade specifications
- Maintain and manage growth of vines, vine canopy and grapes
- Maintain the bee yard and beekeeping equipment
- Manage feed inventory activities
- Mixing fertilizer
- Monitoring animal health
- Organize planting, cultivating and crop harvesting activities
- Oversee the activities of clearing the fields
- Raise and breed livestock and poultry
- Remove manually all suckers and water sprouts
- Seed cutting
- Shear and shape trees and plants with knife
- Supervise staff in shoots positioning and seed cutting
- Train trees to produce more fruit of higher quality
- Weeding
- Work with honey bees
- Maintain farm machinery, equipment and buildings
- Manage overall operation of farm
- Purchase machinery, livestock, seed, feed and other supplies
- Determine the amount and kinds of crops to be grown and livestock to be raised
- Perform general farm duties
- Operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment
Supervision
- 1 to 2 people
- Staff in various areas of responsibility
Experience and specialization
Apiary and honey harvesting experience
- Apiary management
- Detect bee diseases
- Extract honey manually
- Manage bee colonies for the production of honey and pollination purposes.
- Treat bees with antibiotics
Type of crops
- Apples
- Artisanal crops
- Asparagus
- Bell peppers
- Blueberries
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflowers
- Cherries
- Cucumbers
- Field berries
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Ginseng
- Grapes
- Melons
- Onions
- Raspberries
- Seed corn
- Soybeans
- Strawberries
- Sweet corn
- Tomatoes
- Worms
- Zucchinis
Equipment and machinery experience
- Automated irrigation system
- Feeding and watering system
- Fertilizer applicator
- Tractor
- Truck
Area of work experience
- Farm management
Area of specialization
- Nursery or greenhouse
Additional information
Security and safety
- Criminal record check
- Driver’s validity licence check
Work conditions and physical capabilities
- Attention to detail
- Bending, crouching, kneeling
- Fast-paced environment
- Hand-eye co-ordination
- Handling heavy loads
- Large workload
- Manual dexterity
- Physically demanding
- Standing for extended periods
- Tight deadlines
- Work under pressure
Personal suitability
- Efficient interpersonal skills
- Excellent oral communication
- Excellent written communication
- Flexibility
- Initiative
- Judgement
- Organized
- Team player
- Values and ethics
Benefits
Other benefits
- Free parking available
Who can apply for this job?
You can apply if you are:
- a Canadian citizen
- a permanent resident of Canada
- a temporary resident of Canada with a valid work permit
Do not apply if you are not authorized to work in Canada. The employer will not respond to your application.
How to apply
By email
dashwoodsfarm@gmail.com
Include this reference number in your application
0828
How-to-apply instructions
Here is what you must include in your application:
- Job reference number
- Cover letter
- References attesting experience
- Letter of recommendation
- Link to web portfolio
- Copy of portfolio or relevant work examples
- Highest level of education and name of institution where it was completed
This job posting includes screening questions. Please answer the following questions when applying:
- Are you available for shift or on-call work?
- Are you available for the advertised start date?
- Are you currently legally able to work in Canada?
- Do you currently reside in proximity to the advertised location?
- Do you have previous experience in this field of employment?
- Do you have the above-indicated required certifications?
Advertised until
2025-09-12
1. What does an Assistant Farm Manager do?
An Assistant Farm Manager supports the Farm Manager in overseeing daily farm operations. They help manage staff, plan planting and harvesting schedules, monitor livestock or crop health, maintain equipment, and ensure that farm activities run efficiently and productively.
What skills are important for an Assistant Farm Manager?
Key skills include:
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Agricultural Knowledge: Understanding crop cultivation, livestock care, and farm machinery.
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Leadership: Supervising workers and coordinating farm activities.
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Organization: Keeping schedules, records, and budgets in order.
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Problem-Solving: Responding quickly to weather challenges, pests, or equipment breakdowns.
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Communication: Working closely with the Farm Manager, suppliers, and workers.
Do I need formal education to become an Assistant Farm Manager?
While some positions require a degree or diploma in Agriculture, Animal Science, Agribusiness, or a related field, others focus on practical farm experience. Hands-on training and knowledge of farming techniques can be equally valuable.
What industries hire Assistant Farm Managers?
They are needed in:
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Crop production farms (grain, vegetables, fruits).
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Livestock farms (poultry, cattle, pigs, dairy).
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Greenhouses and nurseries.
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Agri-business companies and research farms.
What challenges does an Assistant Farm Manager face?
Common challenges include:
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Managing weather-related risks and crop failures.
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Balancing farm budgets and controlling input costs.
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Supervising seasonal labor effectively.
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Staying updated on agricultural regulations and best practices.
How does an Assistant Farm Manager contribute to farm success?
They ensure smooth daily operations by supporting the farm manager, improving efficiency, reducing losses, and making sure the farm meets production targets on time.
What is the career path for an Assistant Farm Manager?
With experience, an Assistant Farm Manager can advance to:
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Farm Manager
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Agricultural Operations Manager
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Agribusiness Consultant
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Production Supervisor
Some even start their own farms or agribusiness ventures.
