Please contact us if you are interested in part-time work for this season or work for future seasons. We would love to hear from you!
Part-time (1 team member, Wednesdays, 8am-5pm, May through October) OPEN
Part-time (1 team member, 3 mornings per week, Mon/Wed/Thurs) FILLED
Our Farm: Prairie Drifter Farm is a certified organic vegetable farm located in Litchfield, MN, approximately 40 miles south of St. Cloud and 70 miles west of Minneapolis. Prairie Drifter Farm is owned and operated by Nick and Joan Olson. The upcoming growing season will be our 11th season in operation, growing for approximately 150 CSA shares and several wholesale accounts including two local food co-ops and the Harvest for the Hungry program.
The Farmers: Nick and Joan both have backgrounds in formal and environmental education. Through these teaching experiences, travels here and abroad, and time spent on our grandparents’ farms we have taken a path to produce healthy, organic food while promoting stewardship to the land in which we live and farm. In addition to his work on the farm, Nick works with Land Stewardship Project’s beginning farmer program, with a specific focus on building leaders and advancing racial justice in our rural communities. Through his work he has helped many beginning farmers along their path to begin, enhance, or grow their own farm business. Joan has a background in geology and science education and has a passion for soils, biology, and the details needed to make a farm and business run efficiently and smoothly. We farm with our two children, Abe (13) and Freya (10). Through our work both on and off the farm, we are actively creating a vibrant community on our farm and within our CSA membership, while engaging in the community in which we live.
The Team: The farm crew consists of Nick and Joan, 2 part-time crew members, and 4 work share members who work one morning per week.
Employment Details: Our employment opportunities are especially beneficial for, but not limited to, someone exploring or pursuing vegetable farming as a career. Also great for folks who love food, working outside, and being active. Preference is given to qualified applicants who could return to the farm for an additional season or more.
Time Frame: Beginning of May through the end of October.
Part-time Work Hours: One crew member on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:00-Noon and one crew member on Wednesdays from 8:00-5:00pm with optional additional hours on busy weeks if interested.
Responsibilities:
- Greenhouse work, weeding and transplanting
- Hoophouse management
- Harvesting, washing and packing for CSA deliveries/wholesale accounts
- Irrigation
- Involvement with share member events
- Upkeep of farm grounds
- Carry out food safety protocols
Qualifications:
Prairie Drifter 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. A smoothly operating farm helps to create a positive living and working environment for the entire crew. Employees should be able to work independently and in a group and have an interest in good food and working outdoors! It is important for us to work in an enjoyable environment for the benefit of our family, our crew and our membership.
Benefits:
- Pay ranges from $13-17/hr based on past work experience.
- Earned Sick & Safe Time based on number of hours worked.
- Abundant produce from the farm.
- Ability to take on more responsibility of certain aspects of the farm as the season progresses based on interest and abilities.
- The ability to be part of a team, working outdoors, learning new skills, knowing that you will be listened to and honored for what you bring to the farm.
TO APPLY: If interested in employment and mentorship, please submit a letter of interest and resume which include the following information:
- Past work experience
- Explanation of why you are interested in working on our farm
- Explanation of your qualifications for this position
- 2-3 work references (farm references are a plus)
APPLICATION TIMELINE: We will accept applications on a rolling basis until positions are filled (ideally by February). If applicants are able, we would prefer an in-person interview on the farm.
We are happy to connect interested applicants who go through our interview process with past employees to give you a reference for our farm and employee management.
For more information or to apply, please contact:
Nick or Joan Olson
prairiedrifterfarm@gmail.com
320.693.5502
A perspective on our farm from past employees:
“When a work day ends with kombucha and tacos on the picnic table, you know you’ve picked the right place to be. Stewarding community is a pivotal piece to Nick and Joan’s farming and management styles, which is evident the relationships they build among CSA members, their staff, and other local farmers. My season at the farm left me with a supportive network of new friends that feel like family and a healthy kick start to my farming future. Through their example I got hands-on training in best practices for farm and employee management and food safety. Now I feel more prepared to take on work with in the food system, from farm management to farm education. They truly want to set up new farmers with the skills, knowledge, and community connections to be successful!” ~Federica
“Employment at Prairie Drifter Farm is a great opportunity for aspiring farmers. Not only do Joan and Nick have extensive farming knowledge built on years of experience but also they have a passion for sharing what they have learned with others. They are deeply invested in their community of fellow farmers, customers, and neighbors, and they are committed to producing quality food grown with integrity. If you are looking to develop your farming knowledge and skills, you will be hard-pressed to find better teachers than Joan and Nick.” ~Nick
“One of the best things about working at Prairie Drifter (in addition to eating tons of great produce and spending days amidst beautiful nature) is how much time you work side by side with Nick and Joan. I really enjoyed that as a way to learn a ton and have great conversations. Joan and Nick are awesome leaders and teachers. They model effective and efficient ways of working, teach in a way that makes sense for how you learn best, and work closely with you to get things done – all while talking, laughing and enjoying the work. They are skilled at communication and management. I’ve worked in small companies of many sorts in my professional career and they were the best bosses I’ve had. They are proactive, thoughtful, communicate clearly, and give supportive feedback.” ~Ashley
