AMES – Practical Farmers of Iowa has 16 on-farm job openings with farmers across the state who are willing to provide additional training on what it takes to run a farm business. Experienced farmers participating in the Labor4Learning program in 2019 represent a wide range of enterprises and production practices for aspiring farmers to choose from.
Prior to launching their own farm business, it’s important that beginning and aspiring farmers gain experience with not only the day-to-day tasks for running a farm, but also the business management responsibilities. Most on-farm job opportunities don’t provide employees with the full range of responsibilities required to run a farm operation. The Labor4Learning program provides someone thinking about a career in farming with a paid on-farm job, as well as training on topics such as record-keeping, marketing and other skills they might not otherwise be exposed to.
Each participating trainer farm in the program was approved by a committee of Practical Farmers of Iowa members to serve as qualified teachers. The farms represent a diversity of enterprises including row crops, small grains, multiple species of livestock, fruits, vegetables and more. The farms also vary greatly in their production practices, including organic certification; employing diverse rotations and cover crops; greenhouse and hydroponic vegetable production; urban vegetable production and more.
A list of local participating farms is included below, along with their locations and farm enterprises, and complete job descriptions and program details can be found at practicalfarmers.org/labor4learning.
To participate as a trainee in Labor4Learning, resumes and references are submitted directly to the trainer farm. If hired, participants are given a Practical Farmers of Iowa membership, opportunities to network with other beginning and aspiring farmers, and discounts to Practical Farmers’ learning events.
“I love growing food for the community, but even more than that I love working with new farmers,” said Derek Roller of Echollective Farm. Roller raises more than 100 varieties of vegetables, flowers and herbs for a CSA, farmer’s markets and local businesses. “Over the years, Echollective Farm has been a part of growing many young farmers, and I’m looking forward to continuing the tradition with Labor4Learning.”
Practical Farmers of Iowa works to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities. Their values include welcoming everyone; farmers leading the exchange of experience and knowledge; curiosity, creativity, collaboration and community; resilient farms now and for future generations; and stewardship of land and resources. To learn more, visit www.practicalfarmers.org.
2019 Labor4Learning Trainer Farms in the area include: Dale and Marcie Raasch – Bridgewater Farm in Adair County – Certified organic vegetables and fruits; hay, cattle, hogs, broilers, laying hens.
Paul and Nancy Ackley in Taylor County – Beef cattle, corn, soybeans, small grains, hair sheep, perennial and annual forage.