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Labor4Learning Trainers 2022
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.
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. For all other questions about the program or Practical Farmers of Iowa, please contact Celize Christy at celize@practicalfarmers.org or call our office at (515) 232-5661.
Labor4Learning Trainer Farms 2022
| Name | Farm Name | Town | Job Title | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hannah Breckbill | Humble Hands Harvest | Decorah | Seasonal Worker | Filled |
| Jordan and Whitney Clasen | Grade A Gardens | Johnston | Farm Hand | Filled |
| James Frantzen | Frantzen Farm | Elma | Farm Operator | Available |
| Natasha Hegmann and Pete Kerns | Turkey River Farm | Elkport | Production Assistant | Filled |
| Emma and Marcus Johnson | Buffalo Ridge Orchard | Central City | Farm Crew Member | Filled |
| Martha McFarland | Hawkeye Buffalo Ranch | Fredericksberg | Hawkeye Buffalo and Cattle Ranch Intern | Available |
| Alice McGary | Mustard Seed Community Farm | Ames | Farm Apprentice | Available |
| Jenny Quiner | Dogpatch Urban Garden | Des Moines | Farm Hand | Available |
| Dale and Marcie Raasch | Bridgewater Farm | Bridgewater | Team member | Available |
| Derek Roller and Molly Schintler | Echollective Farm | Mechanicsville | Field Crew Member | Available |
| Mike Salama | Salama Greenhouse Inc. | Boone | Assistant Grower | Available |
| Jordan Scheibel | Middleway Farm | Grinnell | Farm Crew Member | Available |
| Erik Sessions | Patchwork Green Farm | Decorah | Garden Crew Intern | Filled |
| Tom Wahl and Kathy Dice | Red Fern Farm | Wapello | Farm Assistant | Available |
| Donna Warhover | Morning Glory LLC | Mt. Vernon | Farm Assistant | Filled |
| Scott Wedemeier | Grassway Farms | Maynard | Livestock Caretaker or Crop Specialist | Available |
| Noah Wendt | A & W Farms | Huxley | Organic Crop Farm Intern | Available |
| Matthew & Lori Wiese | Heirloom Farm | Earlham | Farm Hand | Filled |
Hannah Breckbill – Filled
Humble Hands Harvest – Decorah, Iowa
Experience: 7 years
About the farm: We raise certified organic vegetables, rotationally graze sheep and are adding perennial crops and pastured pork. Our produce is sold through our CSA, the farmers market in Decorah and through aggregators and distributors in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.
Job title: Seasonal Worker
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $10 per hour or commensurate with experience. Hours are full-time, 40 hours per week.
Other benefits: Farm lunch every day, veggie seconds and discounts on meat.
On-farm housing: N/A
Work activities: Work is primarily with plants, including but not limited to: planting, transplanting, harvest, post-harvest handling, washing, packing, lifting, moving, delivering and storing plants and produce. Other work could include orchard maintenance and animal chores. Employee will work the farmers market booth a few times a month.
Minimum qualifications: Able to work well with others; listen to and follow instructions; work outside in all weather; stand for long periods of time; and lift at least 50 pounds. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be a non-smoker.
Skills desired: A willingness to learn, and an interest in sticking around long-term.
Start date (approx): April
End date (approx): September
Contact: Hannah Breckbill, humblehandsharvest@gmail.com
Jordan and Whitney Clasen – Filled
Grade A Gardens – Johnston, Iowa
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Experience: 6-10 years
About the farm: We are a certified organic farm using minimal to no tilling. We grow a wide variety of vegetables and graze chickens, which are marketed through our 100-member CSA, the Downtown Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market and the metro’s top restaurants.
Job Title: Farm Hand
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $15 per hour or commensurate with experience. Hours are part-time, 20 hours per week.
Other benefits: Free CSA each week
On-farm housing: N/A
Work activities: Work varies by day and by season. Work activities will primarily focus on seeding, planting, weeding, harvesting and livestock handling chores.
Minimum qualifications: Able to work outside in all weather, stand for long periods of time, lift at least 50 pounds, possess a valid driver’s license and have a good attitude.
Skills desired: A willingness to have a learning and growth mindset.
Start date (approx): April
End date (approx): November
Contact: Jordan Clasen, gradeagardens@gmail.com or (515) 554-4306
James Frantzen
Frantzen Farm – Elma, Iowa
Experience: 10 years
About the farm: Frantzen Farm is a 300-acre diversified and energetic organic crop and livestock farm, including beef and pork. The field crops we produce are fed to our livestock, with the exception of soybeans, which are produced for Stonebridge. All beef and pork is produced and sold through Organic Valley. We also produce non-certified organic poultry meat and eggs for our own use and local direct sales.
Job title: Farm Operator
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $13 per hour, commensurate with experience; hours are full-time, 40 hours per week.
Other benefits: Clothing and footwear would be offered. Daily meals may be provided during work days. Flexible schedule and overtime after 40 hours per week.
On-farm housing: Shared housing may be available. All housing expenses are covered, such as heat, air conditioning and electrical.
Work activities: Livestock work includes daily chores, health treatments, movement of animals and general livestock management. Field crop activities include field prep, planting, cultivation and harvesting grain and forage. General maintenance, repairs and construction may also be necessary.
Minimum qualifications: Must be able to cope with all kinds of weather, possess a valid driver’s license, be able to lift at least 50 pounds and know how to safely operate heavy equipment, such as skid loaders and tractors. Training will be provided. Also must be comfortable working with large livestock.
Skills desired: Livestock and heavy equipment experience is preferred. Record-keeping would be beneficial, but not required.
Start date (approx): March
End date (approx): November
Contact: James Frantzen, james@riversidefeeds.net or (641) 257-8122
Natasha Hegmann and Pete Kerns – Filled
Turkey River Farm – Elkport, Iowa
Experience: 5 years
About the farm: We raise feeder-to-finish pigs on rotational pasture; pastured turkeys; vegetables for our 60-member CSA; and shiitake and oyster mushrooms for market. We also manage bedding plant production in our greenhouse.
Job title: Production Assistant
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $10 per hour, or commensurate with experience. Part-time, 12-20 hours per week. Flexible scheduling.
Other benefits: Vegetable seconds, pork, meals during work time (we usually cook lunch and eat together)
On-farm housing: Yes, we have a retreat center on site and can negotiate its use for short- or longer-term rental. We also have electricity and water access for an employee who would like to bring a travel trailer for seasonal housing.
Work activities: All activities related to vegetable production in the field, greenhouse and high tunnel, including seed-starting, transplanting, bed preparation, weed control, pest control, mowing, harvest, post-harvest handling and CSA distribution. Additional activities related to livestock and mushroom production, as well as equipment maintenance.
Minimum qualifications: Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions, willingness to also work inside doing washing and bagging, can lift and carry at least 40 pounds, access to transportation to and from farm each day, ability to show up on time and consistently day to day and week to week, ability to communicate consistently with farm manager via phone, e-mail, and/or text, open to feedback, instruction, and constructive criticism, friendly and helpful to other farm workers.
Skills desired: This job is physical in nature and requires working in hot and cold conditions. Must be able to stand, squat, and bend at the waist repeatedly and for long periods of time. This job may require operation of small farm machines (ie. weed whacker, mower, pressure washer, walk-behind tractor) and must comply with all safety training and precautions. This includes using recommended personal protective equipment. Must be able to lift more than 50lbs.
Start date (approx): April
End date (approx.): October
Contact: Natasha Hegmann, natasha.hegmann@gmail.com
Emma and Marcus Johnson – Filled
Buffalo Ridge Orchard – Central City, Iowa
Experience: 7 years
About the farm: We are a family-owned and -operated 80-acre diversified farm that grows herb plants, vegetables, apples, pears and row crops. We use organic practices for our vegetable crops and an integrated pest management system for our orchard. We have two moveable high tunnels for extending our growing season. The apple orchard is medium and high density and we grow over 50 different varieties of apples. We sell or produce through multiple farmers markets, direct wholesale and through our CSA. 2022 is the first year we will also have a store on our farm to sell produce during the peak of apple season.
Job title: Farm Crew Member
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $11 per hour, or commensurate with experience; hours are variable.
Other benefits: A stipend of fresh produce from the farm.
On-farm housing: N/A
Work activities: Activities include planting young apple trees, hand-thinning fruits, planting vegetable starts and installing trellising; weeding, washing and packing produce; completing required farm records; working farm markets; and processing apples.
Minimum qualifications: Employees must be able to work outside in variable weather conditions, stand for long periods of time and lift at least 50 pounds, and must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver’s license.
Skills desired: Tractor, horticultural and sales experience preferred
Start date (approx): Mid-April
End date (approx): Nov. 30
Contact: Emma Johnson, buffaloridgeorchard@gmail.com or call (563) 340-9665
Martha McFarland
Hawkeye Buffalo Ranch – Fredericksburg, Iowa
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Experience: 11 years
About the farm: Our farm is 250 acres of pasture, woods and cropland where we graze bison and Hereford cattle. We sell beef and bison meat directly to the public from our small farm store, and we offer tours and events throughout the summer. We sell purebred yearling heifers and bulls for breeding stock.
Job title: Hawkeye Buffalo and Cattle Ranch Intern
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $11 per hour, or commensurate with experience. Hours are full-time, 40 hours per week.
Other benefits: Room and board provided and discounts on bison meat.
On-farm housing: Furnished basement bedroom and living room space, with access to a shared kitchen.
Work activities: Most of the work on our farm involves fencing and waterline checks, bison tours and basic day-to-day herd management such as feeding minerals, parasite sampling and building maintenance.
Minimum qualifications: Applicants should be able to lift 50 pounds and work independently after training, and must be willing to get dirty, learn how to drive a tractor and learn how to operate a chainsaw.
Skills desired: Carpentry and experience around tractors and livestock are a bonus, but we are looking for someone who is a problem solver and reliable, committed to work and interested in sustainable agriculture. Hawkeye Buffalo and Cattle is a woman-owned business and we encourage those who don’t fit the “conventional” image of farmers to apply.
Start date (approx): June
End date (approx): November (work for 3 consecutive months, flexible dates)
Contact: Martha McFarland, (641) 229-6701 or hawkeyebuffalo@gmail.com
Alice McGary
Mustard Seed Community Farm – Ames, Iowa
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Experience: 11+ years
About the farm: Mustard Seed Community Farm is an 11-acre, 14-year-old farm founded on a belief in ethical food production and distribution, ecological land use and community. Using organic and sustainable methods, we typically grow a variety of vegetables and fruits along with herbs and flowers. The farm will continue to include beekeeping and small flocks of chickens and sheep.
Job title: Farm Apprentice
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $12 per hour or commensurate with experience, and whether the worker is receiving room and board. Hours are flexible, but expect 25-40 hours per week.
Other benefits: Food and housing
On-farm housing: Our housing is very simple. Workers are able to have separate sleeping quarters but all other living spaces are shared. We provide food but share chores of communal cooking and dishes. Wage is variable depending on whether the worker is living on or off farm, and their skill and experience level.
Work activities: Work will be diverse and involved with all aspects of the farm. We would like our trainee to manage one enterprise of their choice. This person will also plant and handle annual and perennial crops; participate in decision-making meetings, record-keeping and on-farm research; and assist with livestock care and fencing. The trainee would also be involved with the farm’s community outreach and education efforts.
Minimum qualifications: Able to work in all weather and lift 30 pounds, along with curiosity, a drive to learn and a desire to contribute to food sovereignty-based agriculture and social justice.
Skills desired: Any of the following: annual and/or perennial horticultural skills, farm systems management experience, communication and community engagement, sheep and poultry, Spanish language skills, big-picture organizational talent. This is an opportunity for a skilled person to manage one aspect of our farm, with mentorship, while learning new and diverse skills.
Start date (approx): April
End date (approx): November (work for three consecutive months, flexible dates)
Contact: Alice McGary, mustardseedbee@gmail.com
Jenny Quiner
Dogpatch Urban Garden – Des Moines, Iowa
Experience: 6-10 years
About the farm: We are an urban farm on 1 acre of land in a residential area with roughly a quarter of that acre under cultivation. The farm has been in operation for three seasons and specializes in growing annual vegetable crops, focusing on salad-oriented products. All crops are grown using organic methods. The business is diversified with multiple ways for the community to support the farm. The DUG Farm Stand is a seasonal onsite, locally sourced store that sells DUG products as well as other items from growers and producers throughout Iowa. DUG also sells product thorough our modified CSA (known as a salad subscription) to local restaurants and to the Iowa Food Co-op.
Job title: Farm Hand
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $12 per hour, or commensurate with experience; hours are variable.
Other benefits: Potential for health insurance
On-farm housing: N/A
Work activities: Daily field tasks such as planting, harvesting, weeding, seeding, watering, etc.; work in the wash and pack house; deliver to local restaurants; help set up the farm stand; and work the retail site.
Minimum qualifications: Able to work outside in all weather conditions. Must lift at least 40 pounds. Strong communication skills. Must be able to work early in the morning and possess a valid driver’s license.
Skills desired: Vegetable production skills and general knowledge of tools preferred.
Start date (approx): April
End date (approx): November
Contact: Jenny Quiner, jenny@dogpatchurbangardens.com
Dale and Marcie Raasch
Bridgewater Farm – Bridgewater, Iowa
Experience: 11+ years
About the farm: We raise certified organic fruits and vegetables, hay, cattle, hogs, broilers and laying hens. We use strip-till, extended crop rotations, cover crops, no antibiotics and non-GMO. We sell produce and meat through retail stores, farmers markets, the Iowa Food Co-op, a CSA, individual sales and restaurants.
Job title: Team Member
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $10 per hour, commensurate with experience and performance; hours are full-time (40 hours) and variable.
Other benefits: Excess produce and a flexible schedule.
On-farm housing: N/A
Work activities: Activities include planting, weeding, harvesting in the field and pack room prepping and packaging. If interested, observe sales calls, bookkeeping and marketing as well. Possible farmers market sales and CSA or store deliveries.
Minimum qualifications: Able to work outside in all weather, stand and bend for long periods of time and lift at least 50 pounds. Must also possess a valid driver’s license (and a good driving record if making deliveries).
Skills desired: A team member self-motivated to learn and willing to work at a variety of tasks associated with a horticultural farm. We welcome an individual who is cooperative, dependable and is willing to learn and follow instructions to join us on the farm.
Start date (approx): March
End date (approx): November
Contact: Dale Raasch, (641) 745-5368
Derek Roller and Molly Schintler
Echollective Farm – Mechanicsville, Iowa
Experience: 20+ years
About the farm: Echollective Farm’s mission is: “Together with our Iowa Community, Echollective Farm grows food to nourish people and the planet.” Although we no longer certify organic, we grow well over 100-plus varieties of vegetables, herbs, flowers, mushrooms and seed garlic on 15-plus acres each year using organic, sustainable practices.
We use cover crops, intercropping techniques and hoop houses for season extension in our operation. Our markets include a 180-member CSA; seed garlic sales across the northern United States; and wholesale produce sales to local grocery stores, area restaurants and a food hub. In the past seasons, we have had a small flock of chickens for personal egg production and have raised pigs for ourselves.
Job title: Field Crew Member
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $10 per hour, commensurate with experience and performance; hours are full-time (40 hours) and variable.
Other benefits: Free veggies
On-farm housing: Possibly
Work activities: The season begins in the spring with greenhouse work. Field crew members learn seed-starting techniques and work in the hoop houses prepping beds for early crops. In summer, the vast majority of our time is spent in the field transplanting, weeding and harvesting. The field crew member will learn how to use a variety of tools to effectively control weeds. Once harvest season is in full swing, we are picking almost every morning. Everyone will learn how to harvest each crop and will work in the washroom to prep produce for market. If there is interest, a field crew member can help at a farmers market to learn aspects of selling vegetables at a market (as well as our CSA). In the fall, we continue with our weekly harvests for market in the field and hoop houses, along with bringing in all the storage crops.
Minimum qualifications: Strong commitment and effort is required, and solid time management skills are essential. Additional requirements include the ability to lift at least 50 pounds, perform tasks outside in all weather conditions and contribute positively to the team and as part of a collaborative environment. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or green card holders. Echollective Farm is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community and strongly encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Skills desired: Prior experience with farming and/or food related jobs is a plus.
Start date (approx): March
End date (approx): November
Contact: Molly Schintler, echocsa@gmail.com
Mike Salama
Salama Greenhouse Inc. – Boone, Iowa
Experience: 7 years
About the farm: We grow ornamentals, bedding plants, cut flowers, potted annuals, perennials, hydroponic tomatoes, basil and winter greens. Everything is under cover, greenhouse grown, with a hydroponic system in place for vegetables. Flowers and plants are sold via in-house retail, and vegetables are sold wholesale to grocery stores, restaurants and institutions.
Job title: Assistant Grower
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $12 per hour, commensurate with experience; hours are part-time at 20 per week.
Other benefits: N/A
On-farm housing: N/A
Work activities: seeding, planting, watering, pruning, harvesting, packing and moving plants
Minimum qualifications: Must be able to stand for long periods of time, dress for all weather conditions, lift at least 50 pounds and have a valid driver’s license.
Skills desired: Horticulture, greenhouse, flower shop, retail, veggie production experience preferred.
Start date (approx): March 1
End date (approx): Sept. 30
Contact: Mike Salama, salama.mike@gmail.com
Jordan Scheibel
Middle Way Farm – Grinnell, Iowa
Experience: 8 years
About the farm: Middle Way Farm is a 2-acre chemical-free market garden located on the Lacina family farm just north of Grinnell, Iowa, run by Jordan Scheibel since 2013. We produce seasonal vegetables, herbs and plant starts from May through December and beyond for sale in Grinnell, Newton and Des Moines. Our main outlet is a 100-plus member CSA share including both standard and customizable shares.
In 2020, we launched an online market with home delivery to replace the farmers market and our annual spring on-farm plant sale that year, and continued selling online throughout the season. We will continue these into 2022. We also sell through the Iowa Food Coop in Des Moines and Grinnell Farm to Table during the shoulder seasons, and sell wholesale in small amounts to local institution, grocery and restaurant customers. In 2022, we will also be managing an acre of asparagus on a neighbor’s farm.
Job title: Farm Crew Member
Terms, hours, status: Starting pay rate is $10 per hour, or commensurate with experience (up to $15). Hours are up to full-time, 40 hours per week, but we will consider the right candidates who want to work fewer hours.
Other benefits: Weekly CSA share, access to as much seconds produce and extra garden transplants as desired.
On-farm housing: There is a house on the farm property which may be available for rent, depending on farm owner preference.
Work activities: Worker will help in all aspects of the farm operation, from greenhouse seeding, transplanting, weeding and setting up irrigation to harvest, washing and packing produce for market. Tasks vary by the day and season, but we follow a regular schedule dictated by harvest and our markets. Use of tractor and power equipment is not required but workers with prior experience or interest in learning will be trained to operate.
Minimum qualifications: Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions, plus a willingness to also work inside doing washing and bagging. A tolerance for regular bending, squatting and lifting and the ability lift and carry at least 40 pounds. This person will need access to transportation to and from the farm each day and must have the ability to show up on time and consistently day to day and week to week. Other attributes we’re seeking include an ability to communicate consistently with farmer via phone, email, and/or text; openness to feedback, instruction and constructive criticism; and friendliness and helpfulness to other farm workers.
We strongly prefer applicants who are vaccinated for COVID-19 and willing to follow basic COVID-19 precautions when appropriate.
Skills desired: Experience with outdoor manual labor, especially farm work. Vocational interest in market farming. Basic garden knowledge (how to identify plants, common tools, basic garden and farm layout, etc.). Prior ability to drive and use a tractor and other power equipment (mower, weed whacker, rototiller). Experience in a production environment where efficiency is required.
Start date (approx): March-May
End date (approx): October-December
Contact: Jordan Scheibel, jordan@middlewayfarm.com
Erik Sessions – Filled
Patchwork Green Farm – Decorah, Iowa
Experience: 24 years
About the farm: Patchwork Green Farm is an established business in our community raising a wide range of certified organic vegetables for diverse markets. We pride ourselves in offering our crew a variety of work experiences, mastery of many skills and the opportunity to ask us any farming question under the sun, all while working hard and producing high-quality food. We are open with our employees about all aspects of our business, and it helps motivate them in their work here while giving them a realistic sense of the produce business.
We have revamped our CSA program and now offer half and full shares to some 70-plus members through weekly deliveries. We also have an online marketplace for individual retail customers, market wholesale to the local food co-op and a few restaurants and work with a food hub in Decorah. All of our produce is marketed within 10 miles of our farm.
Job title: Garden Crew Intern
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $12 per hour or commensurate with experience. Hours are flexible, but expect 30-36 hours per week.
Other benefits: N/A
On-farm housing: N/A
Work activities: We try to do a variety of tasks each day and each week. Work activities will include: transplanting, weeding, trellising, watering, harvesting, washing, packaging and some delivery.
Minimum qualifications: Wear appropriate footwear, clothing and gloves for all seasons; able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly; and have a vehicle to get to work (5 miles from Decorah).
Skills desired: We appreciate employees with lots of questions and curiosity about the work we are doing. We also appreciate people who are quick with their hands, efficient in their work and observant enough to learn from others’ example. A positive attitude and a willingness to work hard are the only prerequisites!
Start date (approx): April 15 (flexible)
End date (approx): Oct. 31
Contact: Erik Sessions, (563) 387-0837 or eriksessions@gmail.com
Tom Wahl and Kathy Dice
Red Fern Farm – Wapello, Iowa
Experience: 11+ years
About the farm: We raise tree crops which include: chestnuts, pawpaws, American persimmons, heartnuts, Asian pears, Cornelian cherries, hazels and honey berry. We have a thriving small tree nursery and sell seed nuts and scion wood through mail-order. We are just starting with a permaculture system that includes permanent ground cover, perennials and Katahdin sheep. We are not certified organic, but minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and sprays. Tree crops are marketed using U-pick and chestnuts are sold through a local chestnut cooperative.
Job title: Farm Assistant
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $12-15 per hour (depending on experience) in addition to room and board. We need help in spring running the nursery. Ideally, the intern would start mid-May as the trees need repotting. The busy season continues into mid-June. This may be 4-6 weeks. July into late August is our slower time. Busy harvest season usually starts (depending on weather) early September and continues into mid-October, about 6 weeks. We are flexible about part-time or full-time, consecutive or not.
Other benefits: Room and board will be provided, along with use of kayaks and bicycles for excursions and access to wild areas to explore on and off our farm. Additional training on gardening and food preservation, if desired.
On-farm housing: We have a guest room and library for the intern to use. The bed is a fold-out sofa, full-size, with a memory foam mattress. We have wifi at our passive solar house. We use a composting toilet (a plus for some people) and cistern water. The intern can cook their own meals in our kitchen or share the family meals, which include a lot of produce from our farm and venison. There is only one bathroom for the house and is shared with four other adults. Camping options could also be arranged.
Work activities: Spring work will include potting sprouted seedlings into pots, managing the nursery stock, planting, pruning, mowing and managing the sheep flock. If desired, work could include managing the website and bookkeeping. Fall work will include mowing, preparing for U-pick customers, harvesting, processing and managing customers.
Minimum qualifications: Able to work outside in all weather, lift 30 pounds and walk 2-4 miles a day across rough terrain. Willingness to handle large mowers and adequate English language skills are preferred.
Skills desired: Willingness to work flexible hours. Some experience with plants would be nice. Desire to learn about agroforestry essential.
Start date (approx): May 1 and/or Sept. 1
End date (approx): June 15 and/or Oct. 15
Contact: Kathy Dice, kathy@redfernfarm.com
Donna Warhover – Filled
Morning Glory LLC – Mt Vernon, Iowa
Experience: 9 years
About the farm: We raise vegetables and herbs for our CSA, restaurants, chefs and college food service, and we raise eggs for our CSA shareholders. Though not certified, we practice organic production and we also use cover crops in our crop rotation. We also host community and learning events throughout the year.
Job title: Farm Assistant
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $10-11 per hour, or commensurate with experience; hours are full-time and variable.
Other benefits: Workers comp insurance; fruit and vegetables available; and connection to larger farm, mentor and local food movement community
On-farm housing: N/A
Work Activities: Activities include seed-starting (soil blocks, germination chamber), greenhouse and high tunnel management, planting, organic soil management, pest and weed management, harvesting, processing and marketing crops. Also prepare site for hosting students, visitors and other community events, working with volunteers and distribution of CSA shares.
Minimum qualifications: Be able to work outside in all weather, stand for long periods of time, lift at least 50 pounds, possess a valid driver’s license, strong work ethic, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, commitment to local foods movement, adherence to Morning Glory’s vision.
Start date (approx): April
End date (approx): October
Contact: Donna Warhover, donnawarhover@gmail.com
Scott Wedemeier
Grassway Farms – Maynard, Iowa
Experience: 11+ years
About the farm: We are a dairy and row crop farm transitioning to organic. Our farm includes a 185-cow dairy, along with off-farm beef cattle and pigs. Our milk is marketed to Organic Valley and our beef and pork are sold to local customers. The row crop enterprise operates on 911 acres with diverse rotations of corn, soybean, alfalfa mixes, oats (feed and food grade), wheat, barley, rye, sorghum, clover and sorghum sudan.
Job title: Livestock Caretaker or Crop Specialist
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $15 per hour, or commensurate with experience. Hours are full-time, 40-plus hours per week.
Other benefits: We often work more than 40 hours some weeks, so we are offering time-and-a-quarter over 60 hours per week, including availability on scheduled weekends.
On-farm housing: Willing to arrange housing, if desired.
Work activities: Depends on your choice of work focus. If you choose to focus on livestock, the work is primarily with the dairy cattle, including but not limited to: milking, general livestock care, moving animals to pasture, working small calves and some skid loader operation. If you choose to focus on crops, the work will include devising and implementing a field operation plan during planting, seeding, cultivation, mowing and harvesting of grains.
Minimum qualifications: Able to work outside in all weather, stand or walk for long period of time, lift at least 40 pounds, possess a valid drivers’ license, be aware of your surroundings and have a passion for learning.
Skills desired: Livestock Focus: Skills needed include understanding of livestock handling and desire to learn. Crop Focus: Skills needed include confidence with tractor operation, general understanding of soil and desire to learn.
Start date (approx): April
End date (approx): October
Contact: Scott Wedemeier, (319) 231-3312 or grasswayfarmia@gmail.com
Noah Wendt
A & W Farms – Huxley, Iowa
Experience: 11+ years
About the farm: We raise conventional row crops and organic small grains using no-till and cover crops. We also raise a herd of grass-fed and grass-finished beef cattle and rotational graze them on cover crops acres in our organic rotation. Our grass-fed and finished beef is processed at local lockers and sold to local customers.
Job title: Organic Crop Farm Intern
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $15 per hour, or commensurate with experience. Hours are full-time, 40 hours per week.
Other benefits: None
On-farm housing: N/A
Work activities: Our intern would help with the production of organic small-grain and row crop production. Work duties would include but are not limited to: operate equipment to weed and harvest grain crops, deliver seed and other inputs to the field, and coordinate other activities focused around organic crop.
Minimum qualifications: Able to work outside for long periods of time. Able to lift 50 pounds. Possess a valid driver’s license. Able to work in adverse but not dangerous weather conditions.
Skills desired: Experience operating farm equipment and experience with livestock is helpful but not a requirement. Our intern must be responsible for tracking work performed and reporting that work to the farm owners.
Start date (approx): May 15
End date (approx): Aug. 15
Contact: Noah Wendt, (515) 491-7915 or wendtnoah@hotmail.com
Matthew & Lori Wiese – Filled
Heirloom Farm – Earlham, Iowa
Experience: 6-10 years
About the farm: We are a chemical-free farm growing only heirloom-variety produce and raising pastured chickens on a non-GMO, soy-free and antibiotic-free diet. We offer free-range eggs and whole chickens grown and processed on-farm. We sell all of our produce directly to consumers through a CSA program. Building relationships within the community is important to us.
Job title: Farm Hand
Terms, hours, status: Pay rate is $10 per hour, or commensurate with experience. Hours are full-time, 40 hours per week.
Other benefits: None
On-farm housing: N/A
Work activities: Work is primarily with plants, including but not limited to helping prepare beds for planting and transplanting, planting, transplanting, weed management, harvesting and post-harvest processing.
Minimum qualifications: Able to work outside in all weather; willing to work hard alongside the farm team and lift at least 50 pounds. Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Skills desired: A willingness to learn and dedication to working hard.
Start date (approx): April
End date (approx): September
Contact: Matthew Wiese, wiesem@gmail.com or (515) 339-5663
Questions?
Contact Celize Christy at celize@practicalfarmers.org or call our office (515) 232-5661.