Food Farm

Last Updated On: enero 16th, 2023 at 08:59AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
2612 County Road 1
Wrenshall, Minnesota, 55797

Primary Contact: Janaki Fisher-Merritt
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 2183844421
    Email: janaki@foodfarm.us

Website: https://www.foodfarm.us

Internship information

General Farm Description: OUR FARM: The award-winning Food Farm is a 320 acre diversified farm specializing in certified organic vegetables in Wrenshall, MN, 30 minutes south of downtown Duluth. Approximately 2/3 of our 17 acres of vegetable production goes to our CSA operation, but the farm also has a strong wholesale component, selling vegetables to the Whole Foods Co-op, Duluth Grill, Chester Creek Cafe, and a number of other outlets. In addition to vegetables, we raise laying hens to provide eggs for CSA members. The Food Farm has also been a pioneer in the winter storage market, delivering storage vegetables through April from an innovative modern root cellar. THE FARMERS: The farm is operated by Janaki, John, and Jane Fisher-Merritt and Dave Hanlon, who were recognized in 2010 as Farmer of the Year at the Organic Farming Conference in LaCrosse. Jane and John started growing organic vegetables in 1973, became Certified Organic in 1990, and started the first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operation in the Duluth area in 1994. In 2010, Jane and John sold the farm to their son Janaki and his wife Annie Dugan, who also host the Free Range Film Festival in their barn each summer. The farm has continued to grow under their direction, and with the addition of new land and expanded winter storage space the farm is set to continue doing its part to meet the growing demand for healthy local vegetables. Janaki and Annie also raising a third generation on the farm with their two young children, Truman and Ellis.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: Approximately mid-April to early June
Internship Ends: Mid-November. The duration is somewhat flexible on either end of the season.
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: ASAP
Minimum Length of Stay: 6 months

Internship Details:

Our internships are especially beneficial for, but not limited to, someone exploring or pursuing vegetable farming as a career. Our years of experience, variety of agricultural activities, volume of production and diversity of products makes Food Farm employment a unique learning experience.

Educational Opportunities: Food Farm employees are engaged in most aspects of the farm but care is taken to provide some experience with other parts of the operation that are not part of the day-to-day routine. These include organic certification, financial management, crop rotation planning, and machine operation. Interns fill out a Growing Season Learning Plan at the start of employment and this is used to guide these experiences.

Skills Desired: The Food Farm is looking for individuals who are self-motivated, have great attention to detail and are eager to work and learn. Previous farm experience is a great benefit but not required. Crew members should be in good physical condition with the ability to lift 50 pounds. Farm work is physically demanding and we work in all weather conditions. Employees should expect to work efficiently and quickly and maintain our standards of high quality produce and customer service. Efficiency in production makes the farm financially viable; we work at a fast pace and expect our employees to do the same. A smoothly operating farm helps to create a positive environment for the entire crew. Employees should be able to work independently and in a group and have an interest in sustainable agriculture and good food! We try to foster an enjoyable work environment for the benefit of our family, our crew and our membership.

Meals: No

Stipend: Hourly wage of approximately $14.50 per hour, depending on experience.

Housing: No

Preferred method of Contact: email