Employment Opportunities

We have a Lead Farmer position (April 1st through Dec 15th), two apprenticeships (April 1st through October 15th), and part-time work opportunities available in 2012. Below you will find a decscription of each position. Please contact the farm for more information!

Lead Farmer

The lead farmer position is designed for an individual with previous farming experience who is interested in gaining greater in-depth knowledge of the operation of a diversified organic farm that markets its food directly to consumers through seasonal farm shares. This is an opportunity to learn our farming systems and manage others.

The lead farmer's responsibilities will be directed towards field activities, packing shed management, and greenhouse operations. This position will require a combination of independent self-starting qualities with the ability to work as a member of a team. It is a unique position in that the lead farmer will work in close collaboration with the owners of the farm to determine job priorities, then assume a supervisory role to accomplish predetermined tasks. The lead farmer will also be responsible for ensuring that work is completed at a consistent pace. Basic tractor maintenance skills and rustic construction abilities (with power tools) is a plus.

Specific Duties include:

Greenhouse operations : seeding, watering, monitoring temperature, germination chamber, basic greenhouse (and hoophouse) construction.

Field work: spading, tilling, broadcast seeding, compost spreading, bed preparation, transplanting, direct seeding, hand weeding, mechanical weeding, irrigation, pest scouting, other tractor work, supervising others

Packing Shed: washing, packing, sorting, veggie QC, supervising others

Free Range Chickens: feeding, watering, moving houses and setting fences, packing, transport

Delivery: driving 12 ft. cube van to Twin Cities, and possibly to Duluth.

Housing

You are responsible for finding your own housing. There are a number of small towns (Bruno, Willow River, Sandstone, Moose Lake) where apartment/houses are available for rent.

Salary

You will be paid a monthly stipend at the end of each month. Health care benefits are also included.

Work Schedule

See apprentice description below for work schedule.

Apprentice

This apprenticeship is designed for someone who is completely new to organic farming, or has farming or gardening experience and wants to learn how our farm operates. In most cases it is an introduction to the field, and more experience would be recommended before launching your own farm enterprise. As an apprentice at La Finca you will be completely immersed in the day-to-day operation of our diversified organic farm. You will learn by doing and have the opportunity to work in nearly all of the areas of the operation of our farm. Below I have described the details with regards to the housing we provide, monthly stipend, meals, some of what you can expect to learn, and more other important information regarding this apprenticeship.

Housing

You will be provided wih an apartment built in 2010 in the loft of our barn. Your room will have one twin bed, a lamp, desk, storage space, and an electrical outlet. A composting toilet and shower is in the lower level of the barn, You are responsible for your personal items in your apartment, and for keeping the space clean. There is satellite internet access in another farm building close to the apartment.

Meals

You will be expected to prepare your own meals in the kitchen located next to the intern apartment. A gas stove as well as pots, pans, plates, bowls, and other basic kitchen utensils will be provided. You will have access to vegetables from the farm once they are ready for harvest. All of the farm workers (including us) will prepare a meal for the entire group once per week. You will be expected to cook, or in some other significant way, share in the meal preparation from time to time. It's fun, really!

Stipend

You will be paid a monthly stipend at the end of each month. Money will be withheld from each check for taxes. You will receive a W2 at the end of the year.

What you can expect to learn:

• an introduction to the systems we use on our farm and the basics of organic farming (a two day orientation in April)
• starting seeds, growing vegetable transplants, and basic greenhouse management.
• planting, weeding, and harvesting over 40 different vegetables
• washing, packing, and storage of over 40 different vegetables
• caring for chicks, moving young chickens to fields, feeding, watering, and basic management of free range chickens.
• transporting broilers to chicken processing plant.
• mechanical weeding - with tractors
• preparing beds - with tractors
• various types of fieldwork - with tractors
• overhead and drip irrigation - when, where, and how much.
• basic construction techniques/use of power tools
• soil fertility - what we do to provide for the crops
• delivery of CSA farm shares to Duluth or Twin Cites
• the financial realities of a farm business
• and much more!

Work Schedule

Our work schedule is from Monday through Friday. Our day begins in the morning between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM, depending on the weather and the task at hand. Most days we will start at 7:00 AM. You will be expected to work for 8 hours each day unless the weather is an issue. We have a one hour lunch break. You will be on call at least one weekend per month for chicken chores, irrigation, and other tasks.

What to Bring

Your living accommodations have been described above and you may bring other items that you think you'll need for your apartment. Anything that is not personal in nature (like a large stereo system) would need to be approved by us before you move in. You will be working outside in all kinds of weather, so we recommend the following : work boots and/or waterproof (rubber) boots, rain gear, long pants, a hat for sun protection, warm clothes, long underwear, wool and cotton socks, and any other apparel/gear you consider useful for outside work. Sandals are not permitted while working in the fields. We live about 20 minutes from the nearest small town with significant services, so having a vehicle would be useful

Drug Use

Illegal drugs, or the irresponsible use of alcohol, are prohibited. Smoking is not permitted at La Finca.