Sunshine River Farms
Last Updated On: December 31st, 2025 at 11:13AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:7831 Farm to Market Rd
Whitefish, Montana, 59937
Primary Contact: Eric Winthrop
Secondary Contact: Dane Regan
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: 406-897-0515
Email: eric@sunshineriverfarms.com
Secondary Phone
Type: -----
Number: (406) 552-3353
Email: dane@sunshineriverfarms.com
Email: dane@sunshineriverfarms.com
Website: https://www.sunshineriverfarms.com
Internship information
General Farm Description: Sunshine River Farms is a mixed vegetable and fruit farm located in Whitefish, Montana. Our farm is located in the northwest side of Whitefish, less than 20 minutes from downtown, with the entire east side of property bordering the Stillwater River. Property is 40 acres but growing area of orchard and vegetable production area is approx 3 acres (with room to expand in the future). This coming season will be our second year of vegetable production. We will be offering CSA shares, going to farmers markets, and distributing food through local wholesalers, restaurants, non profits and the local food bank network.CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: 4-1-2026
Internship Ends: 10-31-2026
Number of Internship Available: 1-3
Application Deadline: 3-1-2026
Minimum Length of Stay: May-Aug
Internship Details:
We are seeking motivated and reliable individual(s) to join our farm team for the 2026 growing season. Work at Sunshine River Farm is varied and dynamic, and we’re looking for individuals who bring enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and a positive, can-do attitude
Work Status:
Seasonal:
Full-time Positions April – October with an average of 40-45hrs/week.
Part-Time Positions April/May-October with an average of 25hrs/week
Key Responsibilities
- Learn to grow and harvest 20+ varieties of vegetables with care
- Participate in post-harvest activities such as washing, sorting, and packing produce for distribution.
- Perform weeding and crop maintenance tasks to support healthy plant growth throughout the season, this includes hand weeding.
- Assist with transplanting and installation of row cover for crop protection.
- Maintain crops in High Tunnels
- Collaborate with team members and work independently to maintain an organized, productive, and positive work environment.
- Assist in Farmers Market duties (packing, setting up, distribution/customer service)
- Infrastructure and building maintenance
Skills Required
- Strong work ethic and willingness to learn new tasks
- Effective communication and ability to follow verbal instructions
- Physical stamina to perform repetitive and sometimes strenuous tasks outdoors
- Ability to adapt to changing schedules and environments
- Attention to detail in harvesting, sorting, and preparing vegetables
- Ability to work efficiently both independently and as part of a team
- Interest in sustainable agriculture and organic farming practices
- Dependability and punctuality
- One-year manual labor or related experience
Applicant Qualifications
We are looking for someone who is prepared to learn as they go and be flexible regarding duties. We 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.
- Farm experience preferred (not required)
- A hard worker who can work in all weather conditions – we experience snow, wind, rain, heat and smoke during our season.
- A clear communicator who is willing to share their ideas and is also comfortable with following instructions. Our work is diverse, especially over the long season, but some tasks can get monotonous and repetitive.
- A strong worth ethic is a must and personal motivation that will help you push through a task until it is done is the key to success on our team.
We work together and individually. The right fit person needs to be comfortable asking clarifying questions to understand a task and be ready to problem solve if a challenge presents itself. In our second season, you will find yourself at times learning along with us as we figure out the best systems for our farm or try out new farming practices.
Compensation
Hourly compensation starting at $17-$20/hr DOE.
Vegetables will be made to employees at no cost when available.
Full-time positions will work 40-45 hours/week with weekend availability preferred (not required), hours may change depending on the season. The schedule will likely be Monday-Friday. Our end times flex depending on what we need to accomplish and the season (earlier starts in mid summer). Farmers Market takes place Tuesday evening in Whitefish from 5 – 7:30pm in the summer.
Part time positions will work 8-25 hours/week with weekend availability preferred (not required). The schedule will likely be largely on weekdays.
Educational Opportunities: The Farm Manager, Dane, has spent the last 7 years managing and teaching at an educational farm at the local college and brings a diverse set of skills to the team. This will provide employee(s) with an excellent resource to learn farming. Coupled with Erics diverse and experienced background in growing food, business, and entrepreneurship, we believe this creates a paid working environment that keeps education centered around what we offer. By the end of a season working here at Sunshine River Farms, you will leave with a deep appreciation and understanding of what it takes to grow food for a community in a northern mountain environment.
Skills Desired: We are looking for someone who is prepared to learn as they go and be flexible regarding duties. We 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.
Meals: We expect our farm crew to work hard and also to take care of their personal needs. We take informal breaks and lunch as the demands of the day or our bodies require it. The crew is responsible for their own meals, although we will look to get into communal lunches as much as possible. Any shift over 5 hours, farm crew is expected to take at least 30 minutes for lunch (unpaid).
Stipend: This is a paid position, hourly compensation starting at $17-$20/hr DOE
Housing: No onsite housing is currently available for seasonal employees. There are housing and rental opportunities in the town of Whitefish, Kalispell and surrounding area. The farm is out of town, and it is expected you have reliable transportation and are able to get to work before our start time to ensure you are ready to work at the indicated start time.
Preferred method of Contact: email or phone
