July 30th, 2024: How to Start a Community Garden Workshop
Tuesday, July 30th, 2024 from 6:30 – 8:30pm via Zoom
Join us at the end of the month to learn about the steps involved in starting a community garden. Topics of discussion will include how to search for land, essential considerations when starting a community garden, information on garden design, leadership, tips for long-term success, and much more!
This workshop is suitable for new and prospective community gardens, or existing community gardens looking to onboard new volunteer coordinators.
The attendance of at least one garden coordinator (or a member of the garden who is working on the proposal) at a How to Start a Community Garden workshop is a requirement in order to apply for funding through the Community Garden Development Fund (CGDF). The CGDF applicant must have attended a workshop in the past 3 years as funding criteria and processes do change periodically. We strongly encourage more than one garden coordinator to attend the workshop if possible.
To register for the workshop, please head to the How to Start a Community Garden page of our website and fill out the registration form. You will receive a Zoom link for the session closer to the workshop date.
Please note: This workshop is being delivered in English. Should you wish to be added to a list to be informed when a French session is scheduled, please contact communitygardening@justfood.ca.
Urgent Call to have your say on community gardening in Ottawa
If you want more community gardens and greening initiatives in Ottawa, the City government urgently needs to hear your voice to make this happen.
Save the Date!
Engage Ottawa Survey closes on Sunday, July 7th at 11:59PM
Fill in this survey (closes on July 7 on Engage Ottawa) to share your ideas, input and feedback on community gardens and community-led green initiatives on City-stewarded land. Use the extra comments section to add what is important to you!
Some important things that are being considered (list not exclusive):
- Growing edible plants (food) in the residential Right-Of-Way (presently not allowed)
- Increased City land access for residents to grow food
- Continuing City supports (i.e. funding, water, insurance, etc) to community gardens and greening initiatives
- Planting edible trees in our greenspaces
- Faster City response to start gardens
- Supports needed in the community to make gardens and greening happen (including increased funding for the Community Garden Development Fund which goes to start and maintain community-led gardens and greening initiatives)
The City wants to see how many people care, and needs to hear from you what you want to see in your community, whether or not you are the person who will also garden.
Please share this survey far and wide.
If there’s one new action you take to support food this year, let this be it.
Please encourage your family, friends and colleagues to include their voice by completing the Engage Ottawa survey.
Everyone’s voice is incredibly important in this conversation!
If you have any questions or would like any assistance in filling out the survey,
please contact communitygardening@justfood.ca
Images for sharing:
Regeneration Canada Stories of Regeneration: featuring the Just Food Community Farm
Have you always wanted to know more about what is happening at the Just Food Community Farm?
Thanks to Regeneration Canada, who have put together an incredible short film featuring the Just Food Community Farm, alongside some of our incredible on-site farmers, to showcase the work we do here.
You can watch the video here, then check out lots more resources about regenerative agriculture on the Regeneration Canada website!
We’re Hiring!
Are you passionate about transforming local food and farming systems and want to apply your skills to this work?
Check out the following opportunities to join our team!
The following listings are currently CLOSED:
Community Gardening Network (CGN) Coordinator
Type: Full-time, 35 hrs/week
Compensation: $50,000/year
Location: Hybrid – Virtual, with growing season on-site requirements at Just Food Community Farm, and requirement to attend community meetings at various locations city-wide year round.
Time of work: Can include some evening and weekend work to accommodate community meetings.
Language: Fluent in English, with second language considered an asset.
This position facilitates the Community Gardening Network of Ottawa (CGN) which is an information and resource-sharing network that supports the sustainable community development of community growing initiatives within the city. The CGN program is community-driven, and has been in existence since 1997.
In 2024, the Network consists of 120 food-growing community gardening projects.
Just Food serves as a backbone food system organization, supporting community, organizations, businesses, and institutions with practical solutions and positive policy change.
Someone with a strong equity lens, a comprehensive food systems lens, and experience working in collaboration across and with diverse people is required.
Central activities:
- Coordinate the Community Gardening Network program:
- Assist community groups to design, establish and maintain both new and existing community gardens, including working with private and public landowners to increase access to land
- Facilitate communications across, and support resources within, new and existing gardens/projects
- Animate and moderate online discussion platform, FoodChat, for community garden coordinators
- Manage all aspects of the Community Garden Development Fund (CGDF)’s $100,000 annual envelope
- Conduct full applications process, from promotions through to dispersing funds and reporting, including facilitating the allocations committee
- Ongoing communications with all involved stakeholders in the projects
- Event coordination (meetings, workshops, training and other special events)
- Develop resources, events and training to build skills in gardening, seed saving, food preservation and composting
- Identify and work to fill gaps to enable community and home gardeners to garden, in particular leading initiatives to support those who experience barriers to access seeds, seedlings, soil, compost and land
- Facilitate city-wide seed and greening initiatives to gardeners around the city, especially to those who have difficulty accessing materials, land, leadership, etc.
- Liaise with diverse stakeholders including community garden coordinators, City of Ottawa, NCC, Schools, landowners, Ottawa Community Housing, faith groups, Community Associations
- Raise awareness in Ottawa about community gardening through media, public gatherings, special events, and online communications
- Facilitate creation of a supportive policy environment
- Supervise volunteers, interns, students to support the CGN program
- Complete reports as appropriate and required
Skills Needed:
This position does not require knowing everything about how to garden. While it will help, this position is a coordinating, community development position, that requires a keen interest in learning about gardening, community gardening, sustainable and equitable food systems, yet more so, the skills below as essential:
- Knowledge/experience of working in a fast-paced, not-for-profit environment.
- Community development experience, with an ability to facilitate, communicate, coordinate and resolve differences across diverse stakeholders.
- Strong communication skills, with a comfort and confidence speaking with members and the public in person, by phone and by email.
- Good presentation and facilitation skills to host and facilitate workshops.
- Strong awareness and ability to work with an equity lens, with ability to work with community members from diverse backgrounds.
- Strong administrative skills, including attention to detail and budget management.
- Experience with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, etc) and Canva, plus confident in ability to learn new digital tools and platforms
- Good writing and editing skills for both promotions/marketing and reporting.
- Strong organizational skills, with ability to multi-task across multiple projects.
- Experience in managing volunteers, students.
- Ability to balance taking initiative with strong team communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work independently and productively in a home and a farm office environment.
- Ability to work in English (written and oral)
- Ability to converse/read/write in French, and/or speak/write in other languages is considered an asset.
Start time: ASAP, no later than June 3, 2024
To apply:
Please send your cover letter, resume and contact info for three references (we won’t call until after an interview), together in one document to info@justfood.ca with the subject line: Application – [your name]
If applying to more than one position, please apply once, and indicate on your cover letter which positions you are interested in.
People who are from equity-seeking groups, often under-represented in leadership roles, are strongly encouraged to apply.
All candidates will be informed if you receive an interview or not.
Community Economic Developer - Farm Programs
Type: Part-time, 18 hrs/week
*If wanted (not required): possible to increase hours with further approved funding
Compensation: $50,000 FTE ($25,714 for 18 hrs/week for the year)
Location: Hybrid: On site during full growing season at Just Food Community Farm, virtual during November-March, requirement to attend occasional meetings city-wide year-round.
Language: Fluent in English, with second language considered an asset.
Just Food and partners are seeking a community economic developer with experience in social enterprise, communications, facilitation, and coordination.
Central activities:
- Connect with local farmers, producers, processors, retailers, restaurateurs to create engaging communications and content for Farmer Newsletter, Savour Ottawa website (Buy Local Food Guide, CSA listings, self-guided tours), etc.
- Animate and moderate the regional Farmer Dialogues/Dialogues entre les agriculteurs, an online platform for discussion and resource-sharing among all farmers (existing and new)
- Support coordination of the Start-Up Farm Program, including outreach and coordinating trainers
- Just Food Community Farm administration support during the growing season, including growing the onsite Red Barn Rentals to the broad community
- Facilitate solutions and input from regional food and farming businesses, organizations
Skills needed:
This position does not require knowledge about how to farm. While experience in this area will be considered an asset, this position is a community economic development position that requires a keen interest in supporting local food and farming businesses, in social enterprise, and sustainable/equitable food systems.
The skills below are essential:
- Community development and/or community economic development experience, with an ability to communicate, coordinate and resolve differences across diverse stakeholders.
- Strong communication skills, with a comfort and confidence speaking with members and the public in person, by phone and by email.
- Strong awareness and ability to work with an equity lens, with ability to work with community members from diverse backgrounds.
- Knowledge/experience of working in a fast-paced, not-for-profit environment.
- Strong administrative skills, including attention to detail and budget management.
- Strong experience with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, etc), plus confident in ability to use or learn new digital tools and platforms like WordPress, Nationbuilder, Canva
- (Experience with WordPress, Canva, Nationbuilder or any similar platforms to these considered an asset)
- Good writing and editing skills for both promotions/marketing and reporting.
- Strong organizational skills, with ability to multi-task across multiple projects.
- Experience in managing volunteers, students.
- Ability to balance taking initiative with strong team communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work independently and productively in a home and a farm office environment.
- Ability to work in English (written and oral) essential
- Ability to converse/read/write in French, and/or speak/write in other languages is considered an asset.
Start time: ASAP, no later than June 3, 2024
To apply:
Please send your cover letter, resume and contact info for three references (we won’t call until after an interview), together in one document to info@justfood.ca with the subject line: Application – [your name]
If applying to more than one position, please apply once, and indicate on your cover letter which positions you are interested in.
People who are from equity-seeking groups, often under-represented in leadership roles, are strongly encouraged to apply.
All candidates will be informed if you receive an interview or not.
Communications Coordinator (Canada Summer Jobs)
*Please note: Applicants must be 30 or under when position starts
Type: 35 hours per week for 8 weeks
PLUS 7 hrs/week ongoing contract thereafter with higher hourly wage
Compensation: $17.55/hour
Location: Primarily virtual, with very occasional requirement on-site at Just Food Community Farm
Language: Fluent in English, Intermediate French a requirement (need to be able to edit software translated text for public communications; read emails in French and respond using software support).
Note that this position is funded by the federal Canada Summer Jobs, and as such individuals must be:
- Aged 30 or under at the start of employment
- Be a citizen, have permanent residency or have refugee status
- Be legally entitled to work in the province.
- Does not require to be in, or returning to, school
Central activities:
Supporting Just Food with communications and content creation for public outreach and engagement. You will be responsible for:
- Proactively creating content for social media and website use, including topics such as event promotion, food systems education, volunteer engagement, policy advocacy, etc, primarily through the use of Canva
- Creating signage for programs and farm
- Creating, designing and distributing captivating newsletters through Nationbuilder (training provided if haven’t used this platform)
- Coordinating social media posts (primarily Facebook, Instagram), and website communication timelines
- Facilitating conversations and resource-sharing in FoodChat, our online communications platform, including moderating platform usage and creating content to increase and encourage user engagement
Skills needed:
- Strong, proactive communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
- Ability to create inclusive, informative, inviting text and graphics
- Experience using Canva, Photoshop or other similar design software
- Experience using Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
- Experience creating content for social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter
- A creative thinker who takes initiative to do the work, has an eye for detail and proactively engages with others as part of a team.
- Strong interest, curiosity and knowledge about food systems, food sovereignty, food justice and sustainable food systems
- Demonstrated ability to positively work across diverse communities
- Excellent writing skills in English
- Intermediate French a requirement – sufficient ability to read/edit translation using software is required.
- Fluent or working level ability in languages outside of English and French is a strong asset.
Start time: ASAP, no later than June 3, 2024
To apply:
Please send your cover letter, resume and contact info for three references (we won’t call until after an interview), together in one document to info@justfood.ca with the subject line: Application – [your name]
If applying to more than one position, please apply once, and indicate on your cover letter which positions you are interested in.
People who are from equity-seeking groups, often under-represented in leadership roles, are strongly encouraged to apply.
All candidates will be informed if you receive an interview or not.
Youth and Children Coordinator
Please note: We have updated our language requirements for the Youth and Children Coordinator Position
- Please send your resume and cover letter within one attachment to: director@justfood.ca, with the following subject line: Application – [your name]
- People who are from equity-seeking groups, often under-represented in leadership roles, are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Must be based in Ottawa region already.
- Please pay attention to language, skills requirements and location requirements in the listings below.
- For more information about our organization, please see our social media and www.justfood.ca
- If you have questions, please contact director@justfood.ca
Youth and Children Coordinator – updated listing
Type: Full-time, 35 hrs/week
Compensation: $50,000/year
Location: Hybrid: Growing season on-site requirements at Just Food Community Farm, virtual during late Fall to early Spring, and requirement to attend gatherings/meetings city-wide year round.
Language: Fluent in English, with French fluency considered a strong asset. (updated from previous listing)
Just Food is seeking an animated, bilingual coordinator to support youth and children engagement and education, focused on building food systems leadership, food and farming skills, and overall food literacy.
Just Food serves as a food system facilitator in the sector.
Someone with a strong equity lens, a comprehensive food systems lens, and experience working in collaboration across diverse people of all ages is required.
Central activities:
- Develop and implement experiential, land-based curriculum and programming for 1-day and week-long programs for children and youth focused on building food and farming skills, literacy and environmental leadership
- Create and follow protocols for inclusivity, fun and health/safety
- Promote opportunities through social media and community channels
- Coordinate volunteers to maintain a Youth and Children’s Garden at the Just Food Community Farm including planning for programming and educational/engagement opportunities
- Conduct ongoing evaluation and adjustments
- Work with kids from kindergarten to grade 12 through Just Food’s Ottawa Farm School program
- Lead classes and private groups through the Just Food Community Farm site for educational tours and field trips
- Facilitate Ottawa School Food Network, a network of multiple community organizations supporting food literacy and programming in and with schools, and school food implementation using community economic development principles
- Develop a new Ottawa Youth Food Policy Council (OYFPC) – supported by Ottawa Food Policy Council (OFPC) – a volunteer space for youth (aged 30 and under) in Algonquin/Ottawa to advance the food justice issues that are of greatest importance, identified by them.
- Facilitate development of OYFPC governance and participation
- Establish a social media presence (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, email newsletter) to augment interest in the Council, and regularly update platforms with Council-related news and relevant content
- Develop and implement strategies and processes for the recruitment of Council members.
- Facilitate events (virtual or in-person TBC) related to youth-involvement in the food justice movement, focusing on issues that are important and relevant for youth.
- Develop and disseminate advocacy materials and resources on identified issues, including for any upcoming Ottawa municipal elections and Ontario provincial elections.
- Supervise and lead team members, both staff and volunteers
- Create content for social media use for all children and youth programs
Skills needed:
- An individual with a strong interest, curiosity and knowledge about food justice and sustainable food systems.
- Experience designing and leading experiential programs for children and youth
- Experience using Google docs, sheets, powerpoint, and Canva
- Community development experience, including:
- Demonstrated ability to positively work across diverse communities using community development approaches, with a focus on partnership/ and relationship building.
- Demonstrated experience in organizational social media communications and virtual/ in-person event planning
- Strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Experience with conflict de-escalation and resolution
- A creative thinker who takes initiative to do the work, has an eye for detail and works as part of a team.
- Previous experience and/or experience related to environmental sustainability, agriculture, gardening, advocacy, managing data are all considered assets.
- Fluent in English required, fluency in French (and additional languages) considered a strong asset.
Start time: ASAP
To apply:
Please send your cover letter, resume and contact info for three references (we won’t call until after an interview), together in one document to director@justfood.ca with the subject line: Application – [your name]
If applying to more than one position, please apply once, and indicate on your cover letter which positions you are interested in.
People who are from equity-seeking groups, often under-represented in leadership roles, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Successful candidates will then be required to provide documentation from a Vulnerable Sector Check before starting their employment.
All candidates will be informed if you receive an interview or not.
Education Coordinator (Canada Summer Jobs)
*Please note: Applicants must be 30 or under when position starts
Education Coordinator – Canadian Summer Jobs
Type: 35 hours per week for 8 weeks
Compensation: $17.55/hour
Location: Just Food Community Farm, 2391 Pépin Court, Ottawa, Ontario (some virtual days)
Positions available: 2
Language: Fluent in English, (french language or other languages are considered an asset).
Eligibility: This position is funded by the federal Canada Summer Jobs program, and as such individuals must be:
- Aged 30 or under at the start of employment
- Be a citizen, have permanent residency or have refugee status
- Be legally entitled to work in the province.
- Does not require to be in, or returning to, school
Central activities:
- Supporting Just Food’s Youth and Children Coordinator to facilitate land-based education programs for summer camps and day programs aimed at K-12 audiences.
- Leading classes and private groups through the Community Farm site
- Sharing knowledge of vegetable cultivation and animal husbandry
- Deliver programs that engage a wide range of audiences (students, seniors and parents)
- Facilitate the smooth simultaneous operations of multiple farm, food and educational programs at the community farm
- Clearly communicating rules, regulations, sign-out sheets, health and safety, and equipment rentals
- Coordinating the planning, setup and planting of a new children’s garden area to support delivering hands-on skill and knowledge building programs
- Work with a team to prepare the farm for 30 families by establishing plot sizes and boundaries
- Produce routine post-program reports integrating feedback from youth/families for ongoing evaluation and program adjustments / improvements
Skills needed:
- Strong interest, curiosity and knowledge about community gardening, food sovereignty, food justice and sustainable food systems in Ottawa
- Ability to lead effective programs for children and youth aged K-12
- Comfortable working with diverse members of the public
- Ability to work across diverse communities using community development approaches, with a focus on partnership/ and relationship building
- Ability to embed and follow health and safety protocols within programs
- Demonstrates strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
- Experience using Google docs, sheets, and powerpoint
- Comfortable using social media for outreach and engagement with partners, community members and youth
- Ability to actively ensure an inclusive welcoming space
- Experience with conflict de-escalation and resolution
- Demonstrates creativity and critical thinking skills
- Ability to take initiative
- Strong team working skills with an openness to feedback
- Demonstrates a strong attention to detail
- Brings an enthusiastic and energetic attitude
- Willingness and ability to spend extended periods of time outdoors in all types of weather with daily walking, and carrying materials for programming purposes
Additional skills & experiences considered an asset:
- Previous experience or studies related to environmental sustainability
- Previous experience or studies in gardening, agriculture or a relevant field
- Previous experience collecting and managing data
- Fluent or working level ability in languages outside of English
Start date: July 2, 2024
End date: August 27, 2024
To apply:
Please send your cover letter, resume, contact info for three references (we won’t call until after an interview), and confirmation that you meet the eligibility requirements for Canada Summer Jobs, together in one document to youthaction@justfood.ca with the subject line: Application – [your name]
People who are from equity-seeking groups, often under-represented in leadership roles, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Thank you for your time and energy applying! We look forward to learning more about your experiences. All candidates will be informed if you receive an interview or not.
Mother’s Day Brunch & Art Exhibit
Join us for a Mother’s Day Celebration at the Just Food Community Farm!
Sunday, May 12th @ 11am
at the Just Food Community Farm
2391 Pepin Ct
Ottawa, ON K1B 4Z3
Bring your moms, aunts, grandmothers, or other special people you’d like to celebrate for a wonderful day at the farm featuring:
- Brunch made up of locally grown and prepared food:
- Including ingredients featured from the Just Food Community Farm (honey, preserves, salad greens, miso) in addition to locally made frittata and pastry, plus local apples, and tea and coffee
- Tour of the Just Food Community Farm given by Forêt Capitale Forest
- Art Exhibit from local artist Daniel Buckles
- A reading from the new book “Connecting Worlds” by Daniel Buckles
Tickets: $30
Click here to register
Proceeds from any art sales support the work of Just Food and the People’s Official Plan.
Schedule:
11am-12:30pm: Brunch, book reading, art viewing
12:30pm: Farm tour from Forêt Capitale Forest
About the Venue:
The Just Food Community Farm has an accessible barn, with motorized lift and accessible washrooms.
If you have any additional questions on accessibility, please contact director@justfood.ca
We have plenty of free parking and are on bus route #25
ART EXHIBIT
A collection of new paintings by Daniel Buckles, some of which you can view here, brings the sensibilities of Japanese art materials–sumi ink, rice paper and scroll-making–to the treescapes of Lake Temagami, Ontario’s premiere Old Growth Forest. The work invites you to reflect on our connection to nature, and the realization that there is no separation between the parts of life.
Proceeds support the work of Just Food and the People’s Official Plan.
Save the Date: Seedy Saturday 2024
Save the Date for:
Ottawa’s Seedy Saturday
March 2, 2024
Come one, come all to an Ottawa spring tradition!
The Alta Vista Community Association Local Food Committee, a group of community gardeners
interested in food security, is working with Just Food and Seeds of Diversity to host this event in Ottawa for 2024.
Where? Emmanuel United Church, 691 Smyth Road, Ottawa
(Venue is fully accessible)
When? Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What’s going on?
- Seed sales and exchanges
- Workshops by experienced gardeners
- Local artisan and cuisine offerings
How much is it? Admission and parking are free.
Local bus #55 services Emmanuel United Church.
What can I bring? Your own reusable bags and, if you have some, your seeds for exchange.
Some vendors will accept card payments, but same might only use cash – time to break out those piggy banks!
Are you interested in being a vendor,
or looking for more information?
Contact altavistaseeds@gmail.com
