Shagbark Ridge Farm is a 35-acre farm (pasture, woods and garden) located 10 miles south of the scenic Mississippi River town of Winona, Minnesota (population 25,000). We are approximately two hours southeast of the Minneapolis- St. Paul airport.The farm has a small flock of sheep year-round, as well as cattle from May to October. All livestock are raised exclusively on grass pasture in a management intensive rotational grazing system. The farm has a well-established produce garden and is electrically solar powered. Since 1990, the farm has been chemical-free and erosion-free.
The farm has three primary goals:
1) To build maximum soil health and ecological abundance in order to leave the farm in optimal biological shape for the next farmer-owner
2) To create opportunities for young people of color and women to have organic farming experience and to build their farming, gardening , and marketing skills, and
3) To develop entrepreneurial opportunities and avenues for the farm that can be picked up and expanded by both current farm employees and future owners.
For the last three years, the farm has partnered with the Winona-based Black cultural youth group, Our Voices. Our Voices members and allies have been hired as a team to work one day/ week during the growing season We anticipate that continuing in 2026.
About the position
In 2026, the farm will hire a part-time employee, 16-20 hours per week. Compensation is $15-22/hour, depending on experience. 5 days paid vacation for full season worker. Housing provided in a new 400 square foot cabin being finished this spring. Employee will be responsible for covering cabin electricity costs. Employee that starts work in April, and who already has construction skills, can earn a higher wage during cabin construction period (final wiring, plumbing, screened porch construction, cabinet installation, etc.).
The work season calendar is negotiable.
Start date: April 10- May 15 End date: September 1 – October 30
Additional income-producing work is available to a summer worker that wants to grow and sell produce at the Winona Farmers’ Market or raise their own chickens or pork for direct sale to customers. There are also numerous small organic farms in the area that may need additional part-time summer farm help. We can facilitate introductions to those farms for employee seeking additional work.
Desired qualifications
-Willingness and ability to do manual farm labor
-Experience working in communities of color
-Gardening or farming experience
-Ability to get along well with others
-Appreciation for nature and the outdoors
-Solid verbal communication skills
-Willingness to learn and follow instructions
-Sense of humor preferred
Typical Shagbark Ridge seasonal farm chores include (training/guidance provided):
- pasture fence repair and maintenance
- planting, weeding, watering and harvesting the garden (April-October)
- spring lambing
- frequent moving of cattle and sheep to new pasture
- sheep shearing and skirting of fleece
- cutting, splitting and stacking firewood
- picking aronia berries, foraging for mushrooms, elderberries
- making maple syrup
- sheep veterinary work like hoof trimming and worming with natural wormers (garlic, homeopathic remedies)
- pasture mowing
-flower gardening
-shed clean-up
-marketing lamb, wool, and sheep pelts to customers
-making hay
-building compost bio-reactor
-making compost extract and applying it, as a spray, to garden, fruit trees and pasture.
-barn cleaning / building of compost pile
About the Winona area
During spring and summer, there are numerous cultural and recreational opportunities available in the Winona area. These include the Midwest Music Festival, Juneteenth, the Great River Shakespeare Festival, the Beethoven Festival, hiking, rock climbing, biking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
To apply,
By March 13th, e-mail a couple paragraphs about your experience and interest in this position to Doug Nopar, dnopar@hbci.com. Or alternatively, write to request a phone conversation to share your experience.
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