Published Mar 6, 2025

Beginning farmers can gain experience through Labor4Learning program
By Elizabeth Wilhelm
PFI program connects beginning farmers with experienced mentors, applications now open

Contact: Elizabeth Wilhelm | Senior Media Relations Coordinator | (515) 232-5661 | elizabeth.wilhelm@practicalfarmers.org

AMES, Iowa (March 6, 2025) — Beginning farmers looking to gain hands-on skills can now apply for paid on-farm jobs through Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Labor4Learning program, which offers training with experienced farmers who are committed to mentoring the next generation. This year, over a dozen jobs are available in a range of farm enterprises and production systems.

“Hands-on experience is crucial for beginning farmers — not just in daily farm tasks but also in learning how to successfully manage a farm business,” says Martha McFarland, PFI’s senior farmland viability coordinator. “This year, trainees can learn directly from PFI member trainers and gain skills in agroforestry, vegetable production, orcharding, raising livestock and more.”

Prior to launching their own farm businesses, it’s important that beginning and aspiring farmers gain experience with not only the day-to-day tasks of running a farm, but also what it takes to run a farm business.

Most on-farm jobs, however, do not expose employees to the full range of responsibilities required to run a farm operation. Labor4Learning seeks to fill the gap by offering a more well-rounded job experience.

In addition to core work tasks, experienced PFI farmers will provide extra training on topics such as record-keeping, marketing and other skills beginning and aspiring farmers might not otherwise be exposed to.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t use the knowledge I learned while working for the Gilberts at Gibralter Farms,” says Stephen Riggins, a past Labor4Learning trainee. “There’s no better way to learn than by doing, and the Labor4Learning program gave me that opportunity.”

Each trainer farm in the program was approved by a committee of PFI members to serve as qualified teachers. The farms represent a diversity of enterprises and production practices, including row crops, multiple species of livestock, fruits and vegetables, flowers, cover crops, organic certification and more.

A list of participating farms is included below, along with their locations and farm enterprises. Complete job descriptions and program details can be found at practicalfarmers.org/labor4learning.

To participate as a trainee in Labor4Learning, applicants should submit resumes and references directly to the trainer farm. If hired, participants are given a PFI membership, opportunities to network with other beginning and aspiring farmers and discounts to PFI learning events.

For questions, contact Martha McFarland at (515) 232-5661 or martha.mcfarland@practicalfarmers.org

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About Practical Farmers: Practical Farmers of Iowa is a nonprofit with more than 9,000 members that equips farmers to build resilient farms and communities. We create learning opportunities via farmer-led events, on-farm research and educational content through our robust network of farmers. We also provide funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices and grow farm businesses. Our vision is an Iowa with healthy soil, healthy food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms and vibrant communities. To learn more, visit http://practicalfarmers.org.

 

2025 Labor4Learning Trainer Farms:

Benton County

  • Eric Franzenburg – Pheasant Run Farm (Keystone, IA) – Corn, soybeans, fruits, vegetables, flowers, medicinal herbs, agritourism

Boone County

  • Mike Salama – Salama Greenhouse (Boone, IA) – Ornamental plants, seasonal bedding plants, house plants, seasonal flowering plants, trees and shrubs, perennials, cut flowers

Carroll County

  • David Royer – David Royer Farms (Coon Rapids, IA) – Row crops, cattle, hogs

Clayton County

  • Andrew Phelps – Phelps Farm (Guttenberg, IA) – Vegetables, flowers, ducks, chickens, goats, maple syrup, honey

Floyd County

  • John Rafkin and Wendy Johnson – Joia Food Farm (Charles City, IA) – Sheep, cattle, poultry, pigs, small grains, agroforestry

Iowa County

  • Elana Gingerich – Olivia’s Orchard (Parnell, IA) – Chestnuts, pawpaws, other tree crops, grass-finished beef

Linn County

  • Emma and Marcus Johnson – Buffalo Ridge Orchard (Central City, IA) – Herb plants, vegetables, apples, pears, row crops
  • Shae Pesek – Over the Moon Farm (Coggon, IA) – Berkshire hogs, chickens, turkeys, ducks
  • Emma Barber – Rhubarb Botanicals (Mount Vernon, IA) – Flowers, herbs, perennial fruits and vegetables

Louisa County

  • Kathy Dice and Tom Wahl – Red Fern Farm (Wapello, IA) – Tree crops, seed nuts, scion wood, sheep

Story County

  • Alice McGary – Mustard Seed Farm (Ames, IA) – Vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, prairie, chicken, sheep

Winneshiek County

  • Hannah Breckbill and Emily Fagan – Humble Hands Harvest (Decorah, IA) – Vegetables, rotationally-grazed sheep, woody perennial crops

Nebraska

  • Mike Levine – Fruit Of Levine LLC (Douglas, NE) – Specialty fruits, vegetables, flowers, duck and goose eggs, honey products