AMES – Practical Farmers of Iowa is once again working with experienced farmers across the state to offer aspiring farmers on-farm job opportunities through the Labor4Learning program.
For the 2018 season, 14 experienced farmers from around the state have signed on to hire an employee through the program and to provide additional training on topics critical to successfully running a farm business.
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 be successful.
Now entering its sixth year, Practical Farmers’ Labor4Learning program helps fill this need by connecting aspiring farmers seeking paid on-farm training with experienced farmers looking for eager employees. In addition to their normal job responsibilities, those in the program receive training on topics such as record keeping, marketing and other skills important for running a farm business. At the start of employment, the trainer and trainee agree on a set of learning outcomes to address during the course of employment, beyond the normal job-related work activities.
The participating farms are located across Iowa and represent a wide variety of enterprises and production practices, including row crops; small grains; multiple species of livestock; fruits and vegetables; and non-traditional crops, such as sweet corn, maple syrup, chestnuts and more. Half of the trainer farms are certified organic. Each Labor4Learning trainer farm was approved by a committee of Practical Farmers of Iowa members to serve as qualified teachers.
A list of participating farms, along with their locations and farm enterprises, and complete job descriptions and program details can be found at practicalfarmers.org/labor4learning. In the local area, Dale and Marcie Raasch, with Bridgewater Farm in Adair County near Bridgewater, raises certified organic vegetables and fruits, hay, cattle, hogs, broilers and laying hens. They are seeking to hire an employee for the coming growing season, and are willing to provide the right candidate with additional training on topics important for running a farm business.
The Raasch’s practice strip-till, extended crop rotations and plant cover crops. Their produce and meat are marketed through retail stores, farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, individual sales and restaurants.
“We feel we could offer a complete picture of organic vegetable farming with hands-on, day-to-day activities involved in its operation,” Marcie said. “We’re also involved with multiple avenues for marketing the produce, and the different approaches to each option. We’d like to share what we’ve learned to make it easier for the next farmer.”
The job opening at Bridgewater Farm is full-time at 40 hours per week, set to begin this month. Work activities include planting, weeding, harvesting and packaging, as well as potential for assisting sales calls, bookkeeping, marketing and deliveries.
Full job details, dates and information on how to contact Bridgewater Farm to apply can be found at 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 be or become a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa.
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.