Labor4Learning

The Labor4Learning program helps beginning farmers get paid on-the-job training with experienced farmers, and pays experienced farmers for their time and effort.

Beginning Farmers

Are you looking to get paid, on-the-job Training with experienced farmers in Iowa? The Labor4Learning program is designed for beginning farmers seeking employment and additional training in farm management and production skills. Practical Farmers of Iowa “trainer” farmers will be hiring in the early part of the new year for the upcoming growing season. Browse the list below for training opportunities near you.

Get paid at least minimum wage and earn other benefits, including:

Learn farm business development from an experienced PFI farmer
Paid time off to attend a PFI event during the term of employment
Discount to the Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference ($100 value)
Connect with other “PFI Trainees”

Qualifications:

Apply and be hired by a PFI Trainer farmer.
Have a strong motivation to learn the business of farming.
Be a current individual or whole farm member of Practical Farmers of Iowa,

To apply, send current resume and three work-related references directly to the trainer. Direct any questions about job details to the trainer as well.

See a Labor4Learning profile from Donna Warhover’s Morning Glory Farm in 2017.

Curious about your rights as a farm worker? Be sure to check out our Farm Employment FAQ for answers to your questions.

Experienced farmers

Are you looking for a high quality, motivated farm employee? Want to get paid up to $200 per month (maximum $1,000 per year) by Practical Farmers to share the business details a beginning farmer needs to know to be successful managing his/her own farm? Apply to be a Practical Farmers of Iowa Trainer.

Applications to become a Trainer are accepted through December 31st for the following season. All complete applications submitted will be reviewed by a committee made of diverse Practical Farmers member farmers, and selections will be made in January. Applicants must be PFI members who farm in Iowa to be eligible.

To request an application or for more information, please contact Steve Carlson at steve@practicalfarmers.org or by calling (515) 232-5661.

Hesitant to hire a farm employee due to questions about legal requirements? Check out our Farm Employment FAQ about the rights and responsibilities for Iowa farm workers and farm employers.

Interested in becoming a Labor4Learning trainer farm?

LEARN MORE HERE

2018 Labor4Learning Trainers

Trainee Position Status	Trainer and Farm	Town	Enterprises	County
Filled	Alert, Doug and Margaret Smith	Hampton	Organic row crops, small grains, hay, pasture, beef cow/calf, ewe flock, lambs, poultry	Franklin
Available	Bakehouse, Jon-Maple Edge Farm, Inc.	Hastings	Corn, soy, alfalfa, beef cattle, pasture, some small grains	Mills
Available	Beard, Dan and Bonnie-Canoe Creek Dairy	Decorah	Organic dairy, pasture, hay, small grains, corn and sweet corn, syrup, timber	Winneshiek
Filled	Breckbill, Hannah - Humble Hands Harvest	Decorah	Produce, poultry, alpacas, honey bees, fruit trees, value added products, hay	Winneshiek
Available	Dunham, Andrew and Melissa-Grinnell Heritage Farm	Grinnell	Certified organic produce, chestnuts, cattle, hay, poultry	Poweshiek
Available	Gilbert, John C. and Sarah -Gibralter	Iowa Falls	Dairy, farrow-to-finish hogs, corn, beans, small grains, hay	Hardin
Filled	Henry, Dean - Berry Patch	Nevada	Apples, berries, cherries, produce	Story
Available	Nisly, James – Organic Greens	Kalona	Certified organic produce, including mini greens, micro greens, asparagus, cabbage, sweet potatoes	Washington
Available	O'Brien, Denise and Larry Harris-Rolling Acres Farm	Atlantic	Certified organic produce, cover crops, poultry	Cass
Available	Raasch, Dale and Marcie - Bridgewater Farm	Bridgewater	Certified organic vegetables and fruits; hay, cattle, hogs, briolers, laying hens	Adair
Available	Salama, Mike-Salama Greenhouse	Boone	Greenhouse production: ornamentals,vegetables	Boone
Available	Shriver, Scott – Shriver Farms, LLC	Jefferson	Certified organic row crops, small grains, alfalfa.	Greene
Filled	Warhover, Donna -Morning Glory LLC	Mount Vernon	Produce, eggs	Linn
Available	Wesselius, John-The Cornucopia	Sioux Center	Produce, poultry, pork	Sioux

Contact Information

For any questions about the Labor4Learning program: contact Steve Carlson at steve@practicalfarmers.org.