Position Overview
Work Activities
- Harvesting produce
- Pruning and trellising crops
- Optional marketing work
Training Opportunities
Flexible based on trainee interests.
Minimum Qualifications
Able to perform physical tasks and work independently after training.
Desired Skills
Quick learner, works well alone or with others.
Other Benefits
- Raises after 30 days
- Free produce
- Meals/snacks sometimes provided
On-Farm Housing
Housing available with rent deducted from paycheck.
About the Trainers
Ashley and Zachary Wenke
Trainer Experience: In our first years of farming we wish we had more time to learn from other producers. We want to offer that kind of mentoring to someone else interested in being a producer. We see a huge gap of learning between having a home garden and running a market garden, and we hope to help someone else close that gap in learning. We also have a strong vision to expand our farm to meet the needs of our community and cannot do that without a team passionate about growing edible food. Ashley has extensive experience in training volunteers in the food pantry world to be in compliance with inspections as well as training volunteers on accurate recording and how to use a computer system. As a farmer, Ashley has provided mentoring in the form of presentations at conferences for PFI and Farm Bureau. Ashley is currently serving on a cooperative phone board with very differing views about how to complete tasks and can confidently find options that all members are happy and comfortable utilizing. Zachary's previous work as an ag engineer provided him with ample experience mentoring new engineers about the programs and software used at his company.
About the Farm
Our Montezuma farm has been in operation with produce, poultry and pork for the last six years, with Zach and I being full-time farmers for three years. At that farm, we have three high tunnels, a quarter acre of strawberries, 80 fruit trees and about three acres of other produce crops. We've recently moved to Fremont, with seven more acres set aside for produce production and plans to add four high tunnels. We rent an acre of asparagus. We do not use any chemicals. We are aiming for 100 members in our PGH Elite (CSA program) this year. We sell through three farmers markets and cooperatives and food hubs in Iowa City, Des Moines and Grinnell. We have 40-plus produce crops including: lettuce, spinach, potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and cucumbers are our main crops. We focus on growing early and out of season. We also have egg laying hens, meat birds and bees.