Sunshine River Farms
Last Updated On: December 24th, 2024 at 09:41AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:7831 Farm to Market Rd
Whitefish, Montana, 59937
Primary Contact: Eric Winthrop
Secondary Contact: Dane Regfan
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: 406-897-0515
Email: eric@sunshineriverfarms.com
Secondary Phone
Type: Cell
Number: (406) 552-3353
Email: regan.dane90@gmail.com
Email: regan.dane90@gmail.com
Website: https://www.sunshineriverfarms.com
Internship information
General Farm Description: Farm is located in the northwest side of Whitefish. Entire east side of property borders the Stillwater River. Property is 40 acres but growing area of orchard and vegetable growing area is approx 2 acres (with room to expand in the future). Infrastructure includes a 60’x30’ heated greenhouse, an 80’x34’ high tunnel, wash and pack room (including walk-in fridge). Orchard and field is fenced to protect from animal pressure. There’s also a barn on the property which includes a tool and equipment storage room.CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: 3-1-2025
Internship Ends: 11-1-2025
Number of Internship Available: 1-2
Application Deadline: 2-1-2025
Minimum Length of Stay: 8 mos. 2025 growing season
Internship Details:
This coming season will be our first year of vegetable production so we are in the process of setting up farming operations. Significant work has been done to prepare for next season but we’re looking for someone who is excited about helping to start a farming business. Animals (horses, chickens, and goats) are planned to be added over time once barn is completed. For this coming season we plan to grow on a smaller section of the property and focus on restaurants, farmers market and local families.
Looking for someone who is prepared to learn as they go and be flexible regarding duties. I intend to run the farm as a cooperative where everyone pitches in where needed for the common goal of growing high quality food and regenerating the soil and environment. Initially the duties will include a fair amount of getting things set up but we will also need someone who can manage the seed starting in the greenhouse, plant/transplant, harvest, wash and pack and everything that would be typical of running a small farm. Selling at market is optional but preferred.
I’m a new farmer but have a passion for farming and an extensive background in business. Our goal is to provide the community with local, responsibly grown food and develop a property that can benefit the local community. We have been cover cropping the farmland for a couple years and plan to practice regenerative and organic farming practices, with some experimenting around various regenerative and permaculture concepts. My wife is a mindfulness teacher and counselor and also plans to use the farm for various related activities.
Educational Opportunities: My partner/co-manager on the farm will be working with us part time for 2025 and full time starting 2026. He has spent the last several years running a teaching farm at a university and is very experienced in farming. This will provide employee(s) with an excellent resource to learn farming. We plan to make teaching a core part of our business as we develop the overall farming operations.
Skills Desired: Looking for someone who’s entrepreneurial and wants to work hard to help build a farming business. Job opportunity will exist for many seasons if desired. However, I do have good flexibility around specific hours and of course would consider time off as needed.
Meals: Not formally but expect there will be opportunities to eat together and employee can take vegetables and fruit from what we’re producing.
Stipend: Yes. Happy to pay a fair wage if important to applicant.
Housing: Need to discuss. Have a heated barn with full bath/shower that could be converted to provide housing/sleeping area but otherwise don’t have formal/private housing.
Preferred method of Contact: email or phone