OPPORTUNITIES |
Opportunities at Brighton Botanicals “Interns, apprentices, helpers, volunteers, wwoofers, & those that help to keep the place going.” Brighton Botanicals depends greatly upon the various working relationships it develops each year through the people that come to stay and learn with us. We have many opportunities for those wishing to explore this lifestyle. We can use help all season long for various tasks on a volunteer basis from April throughout October (read about our 2008 plans). We are involved with several programs, as hosts, but you don’t have to be. If you are interested in coming here and feel that you have something to offer while receiving the many benefits of what we have to offer you, please feel free to contact us with your ideas. Please be sure to read through our whole site to learn as much as you can about what takes place here, so that your fit will be right for all of us. Over the years we have had many folks come and go here—from all over Canada, the US, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, France, Australia, & Germany with ages from 18 to some in their 70’s. All have helped immensely. We have included as many as we can. If any of you have been left out it isn’t intentional because we’re grateful to all of you. Feel free to e-mail with pics or stories which you wish us to include. People come for many reasons, but most wish to learn more about living sustainably and to understand where their food comes from. Some use the place as a stop off during their traveling. Of course, some say they come for the food! During the 2007 season, the farm’s apprentice was Elyse—a great gal from PQ who was working on her Master’s and wanted to experience this lifestyle because her dream was to own her own sustainable plot someday. Along with Elyse, many other came to help—of all ages from many places. Some deserve a whole page, but that will come later!!! The following PDF's contain images of those helpers of 2007 back to 2001. You can learn to plant seeds and seedlings, some greenhouse work, planting and transplanting, weed, prune, harvest, process, marketing & direct selling via market stalls. You also have the opportunity to learn more about cooking, preserving and canning food, using lot #s, record keeping, landscaping techniques, garden planning, soil building. Superior opportunity to learn about herbs and their magic. One great dog named Chance and 2 wonderful cats share the farm with us, as well as volunteers throughout the growing season. We also burn wood for heat, so there is firewood to deal with. Are you tired of your lifestyle and wish to explore the possibilities of a more sustainable life for a time throughout the farming season to see if it is right for you????? You may help us for several days, weeks or months, but we prefer you to stay for the season. - looking for the place to have hands on learning??? Are smaller hand-tended gardens a better choice for you vs. large field crops?? Do you enjoy landscaping, building repair, greenhouse work?? Wanting to understand the basic use of woodworking tools while enjoying great tasting healthy food, a place to hang your hat and good conversation in a peaceful setting with nature?? Often apprentices, volunteers, visitors and farmers work together and share skills and stories. Weekly farm meetings offer a chance to learn from each other and share new ideas and thoughts. You are going to get your hands dirty. You are going to learn a lot of practical techniques. We grow a lot of food, flowers, fruit, garlic and shitake mushrooms. Many many herbs are at home here. The nature of this training depends on your desire and aptitude. You can choose to be involved in some but not all of the above plus other tasks mentioned throughout this application. Very importantly---you must be able to follow instructions in all tasks or help us find out why. There will be horticulture duties, and some lawn care and landscape maintenance is connected with the place. Ability to use or learn power tools an asset but not essential. We take our teaching/mentor role seriously and consider apprenticeships wonderful opportunities for exchanging knowledge with many people looking for a "better life". We have a great library on growing, gardening, techniques, lifestyles, herbs and nutrition which we are happy to share with apprentices who learn through reading. We expect Remember though...... no former experience required; however, we need a self starter with a "do everything" attitude and not afraid of hard work, with a sincere, long- As mentioned throughout, the work is often physically demanding, with lifting and loading sometimes, but we do have some helpful equipment. Good communication skills, Ask yourself............................... Please bear in mind that our farm is seeking someone to "help us", so we don't expect you to have the necessary skills to run the place and that is why you are seeking to help through learning ---you'll make mistakes and you'll experience accomplishment. When honest communication is shared, it will, in turn, make it very pleasant for all involved and in a comfortable way. This opportunity may change your life, so be prepared to experience something new, exciting, challenging, and rewarding. An apprentice will be encouraged to use his/her Sleeping will likely be in the house, but other options may develop and there are many places to tent, offering you more privacy. We wish for anyone staying here to be comfortable. Full kitchen with most of the meals prepared by us. We have a shower in the house and full bathroom facilities but we urge resource and energy saving at all times. We have an outdoor solar bag shower and an outhouse. Washing in the machine can be done with cold water. Clotheslines are available for drying. Meals are eaten with us and some snacks. Extras are up to you if they are not produced here. No one ever goes hungry around here---ever!!! We eat some meat, but not everyday. Veg diets are respected. Unless busy with another chore—everyone helps with prep and clean up. Check out a bit of the food that we eat around here!!! “After a season here, you can effectively run your own plot, prepare your own food and learn to store your food.” Are you ready???? |
