AMES – Practical Farmers of Iowa is once again partnering with experienced farmers across Iowa to offer aspiring farmers several on-farm job opportunities through Practical Farmers’ Labor4Learning program.
Having sufficient on-farm work experience is vital to the success of new farmers just starting on their own. Most on-farm employment opportunities, however, are limited in scope and don’t expose employees to the full range of skills needed to successfully run a farm business
Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Labor4Learning program helps fill this need by connecting aspiring farmers seeking paid on-farm training with experienced farmers looking for eager employees. Those in the program also receive additional training on topics such as finances, marketing and other skills vital to running a farm business.
This season, 14 experienced farmers from around the state have signed on to hire an employee through the program and provide that additional training. At the start of employment, the trainer and trainee will agree on a set of learning outcomes they will address during the course of employment, beyond the normal job-related work activities. Each Labor4Learning trainer farm was approved by a committee of Practical Farmers of Iowa members to serve as qualified teachers.
Paul and Nancy Ackley of Bedford in Taylor County are one of the 14 farmers involved in this program. They will provide training in beef cattle, corn, soybeans, small grains and hair sheep.
The Ackleys raise beef cattle and hair sheep using managed grazing practices, and grow corn, soybeans and small grains in extended rotations. They were approved to serve as a trainer farm by a committee of Practical Farmers of Iowa members.
“We believe strongly in building and maintaining soil health,” Paul said. “Diversifying with wheat, livestock and cover crops are important components to that. We are happy to support the next generation of Iowa farmers and to employ an aspiring farmer looking for experience on a diversified crop and livestock farm.”
Their training opportunity will involve setting up paddocks, moving cattle, checking and installing waterers, bonding sheep to cattle and drilling cover crops, among other responsibilities. The Ackleys will also work with their employee to develop a set of learning outcomes that address important issues for running a farm business.
Other jobs are found across the state and encompass diverse enterprises, such as greenhouse production, livestock, dairies, produce and row crops. Each job opening in the program varies in duration, hours, work activities and compensation. A list of participating farms and complete job descriptions and program details can be found at www.practicalfarmers.org/labor4learning.
To qualify as a trainee, applicants must have a strong desire to learn, apply to and be hired by a trainer farm and become a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa.
Entering its fifth year, Labor4Learning has proven to be beneficial for both parties. Experienced farmers find high-quality, motivated workers. Aspiring farmers find employment on a reputable farm, gain additional training beyond their wage-earning activities and build a network of beginning and experienced farmers through PFI.
“I’ve found that formalized instruction educates the teacher as much as the student,” says Jill Beebout of Blue Gate Farm in Marion County. ”The opportunity to help beginning farmers, along with continuing to improve our own journey on the farm, seems to be a wonderful way to propagate small farms.”