Education & Conference Coordinator

• Jul 2023 - Present

Consultant

• Nov 2022 - Present

Consulting for private clients by giving expert guidance and support in business administration, production planning, greenhouse systems etc. Consulting for private clients by giving expert guidance and support in business administration, production planning, greenhouse systems etc.

Musician

• 2008 - Present

I've been writing and recording original music with piano and guitar as my main instruments since 2008. Vocal arrangements are a real joy for me. I have worked with reaper, cubase, and tracktion music production programs. As of 2022, I've released 2 full length albums, and am working on my third. The album 'Minimalist' released fall of 2020 had some radio play for the track "If This Is It (Cottage Song)". In addition to my recording projects, I have written public health jingles and perform live at community events as well as well as private functions . I have been an alto in numerous choirs, including the King's Chapel Choir (Halifax), Lyrica Chamber Choir (Barrie) and the Guelph Chamber Choir (Guelph). You can find more at sophiaclarkmusic.com and on any streaming platforms (under Sophia Clark). Show less

Conference Speaker

• 2019 - Dec 2022

My workshops cover topics of seedling production, small business management, farming & mental health, and more. I have been asked to present at the Guelph Organic Conference, for the Ecological farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO), for JustFood Ottawa, and more. I have presentations prepared both for in-person and virtual events. Prepared materials vary from 30 minute production overviews to 6hr workshops, and are tailored to the event as is appropriate.

Private Consultant

• 2015 - Dec 2022

In this consultant capacity, I offer one-on-one meetings to go over any questions the client brings pertaining to greenhouse management, soil mixes, disease & pest issues, controlled environments, basic admin, seedling production, propane furnaces, backpack sprayer usage, tools & infrastructure etc.

Business Owner

• 2015 - Dec 2022

Trout Lily is an organic certified plant nursery specializing in production of the highest quality vegetable & herb seedlings. Our catalogue includes 100+ edible seedling varieties, including heirlooms and hybrids. As the owner/operator of this business, I oversee all hiring, training, daily operations, administrative tasks, wholesale account management, and retail sales activities. We sell & ship our seedlings in Guelph, Fergus, and throughout the GTA.

Outdoor Instructor

• 2018 - 2021

This role required close collaboration with a small team of staff to deliver dynamic programing to groups sized 12-60 of youth ages 12-14 over the course of a week. The outdoor education centre was remote which meant staff we responsible for the wellbeing of all youth throughout their time on site and delivered first aid and social support/interventions as needed. Competence in risk management, outdoors skills (canoeing, kayaking, orienteering etc), group communication and leadership facilitation were all essential to this position. Show less

Activity Programmer

• 2018 - 2019

Activity programming for groups sized 8-25 of children ages 3-12 during after and before school hours. Role included child-lead learning, outdoors play, and some administrative data tracking. Activity programming for groups sized 8-25 of children ages 3-12 during after and before school hours. Role included child-lead learning, outdoors play, and some administrative data tracking.

Practicum Student in Social Work

• Jan 2018 - Apr 2018

In this practicum student position, I worked closely with social workers at the Youth Resource Centre as well as the Youth Shelter. I developed skills in relationship building, paperwork related to identification and gov't programs, as well as navigating legal proceedings such as parole meetings, police interventions, and courtroom events. I learned about the housing first framework for addressing the needs of those who are precariously housed or homeless in the community. My work in this role also algined with harm reduction models of care. Show less

Practicum Student in Horticultural Therapy

• Sep 2017 - Dec 2017

My practicum studying horticultural therapy took place at the Julien Project. I designed and delivered programing for small groups ages youth through senior that involved natural spaces + materials as suited to the participants. Many participants were from vulnerable populations. Relationship building, program design, and creative problem solving were central to this position.

Program Leader

• 2015 - 2018

In this position as a student, I worked with ~20 fellow undergrad students to create and facilitate sexual health workshops for classrooms of students in grades 7-12. All of the workshops were designed to align with provincial health curriculum, as well as to align with the frameworks of : the choice model, sex positivity, feminism, size inclusion, and anti-racism. Competence in managing large groups, knowledge sharing, and logistics were essential to my success this role. This role was normally held by staff at the University of Guelph, before my enthusiasm and skills lead to my being offered the position as a student. Show less

Student Leader

• 2015 - 2018

I held two student leadership positions at the University of Guelph. One at the Student Wellness Centre, where I edited the Sexually Charged Radio Show as well as updating & facilitating workshops on mental health and sexual wellbeing. The other student leadership position I held was on the Civic Engagement Team, on which I worked on a collaborative team to include students in political elections, human rights, and community service programs. Both positions included team work, high communication skills, public speaking, and logistical management. Show less

Retail Salesperson

• 2015 - 2016

Providing accurate, helpful, and clear information about our products to customers was the joy of this job. Responsibilities also included cashier and keyholder. I often worked alone and had excellent sales numbers which demonstrated my passion for providing excellent customer service & and my knowledge of sexual health information. Providing accurate, helpful, and clear information about our products to customers was the joy of this job. Responsibilities also included cashier and keyholder. I often worked alone and had excellent sales numbers which demonstrated my passion for providing excellent customer service & and my knowledge of sexual health information.

Farm Worker

• 2012 - 2015

I worked during the summers of 2012-2015 on various farms, usually in the organic sector, and usually focused on vegetable production for markets and CSA models. Doing this work both in Ontario as well as the UK built skills for me in: seedling, transplanting, trellising, pruning, safe tool and equipment use, pest and disease management, spray application with backpack sprayer, tractor use, PTO use, safe use of propane furnaces, weeding and harvesting techniques, irrigation systems, retail sales at farmers' markets and more. Show less