Sunflower Fields

Current Operation

Our farm is a work in progress toward a sustainable system both as an agriculture entity as well as a marketing enterprise for our harvest. Our major crops are vegetables grown on 30 acres per season and sold direct in our communities. We use no synthetic inputs, we make our own compost for our field nutrients and for greenhouse starts, we have developed an extensive system of field borders and waterways for soil retention, a good portion of our farm is planted back to young forest, pasture and prairie and we use a 7 year rotation for our crops to feed our soil. For us, the process leading to true sustainability is not only a long one but is one of evolution of ideas and practices and learning what our farm needs us to do for it.

Internship Description

Our interns work in every aspect of our operation. The experience for interns is primarily an educational process based on real-time, hands-on responsibilities in the fields, the greenhouse, the office and with our customers. Interns learn everything from what varieties of plants work best for us, how to operate a tractor safely and effectively to how best to organize a complicated pack-out and delivery. In addition, interns have the opportunity to meet our customers and learn why building strong relationships is the centerpiece of a direct market system. As well as the educational experience built around our farm operation, interns are immersed in experiencing a team approach to the business as well as farm life. We stress the idea that farming is not just "getting the job done' but also learning about the lifestyle that comes with living close to the land and in close proximity to others.

Intern Skills/Experience

Skills and experiences that seem to be most helpful to interns at Sunflower Fields are a willingness to take responsibility for one's learning, tasks at hand and for developing an attitude of cooperation with those around them. We do not require or even worry about actual farming experience but would like to see interns have a desire to learn about what we do, to fully engage in the experiences and actively incorporate these experiences into their future. We hope that all interns at Sunflower Fields invest themselves in our farm and make it their own while here. Internship Timeline Our best scenario for interns would be a start date which corresponds to our season - our active growing season runs from March until November. However, this is very rarely the case and is not realistic for most folks who do internships with us. The idea is for us to be able to offer an experience which allows interns to see and participate in an entire season, but we are happy to consider shorter ranges of time. One which has worked well is for a graduating senior to start with us after graduation and finish the season here in November. We will also consider a "summer session" for those who need to get back to school in the fall. We are farmers and during our growing season the hours for us are long. We understand that this is due to us owning and living on the farm and it is actually ours. For interns, we do not require weekend hours and we try to finish their days before supper. If interns are interested and engaged with an activity that is happening on a weekend or later in the day, they are welcome to join us, but are not required to do so unless earlier notified of the need to be present. We do start early to take advantage of cooler temperatures and we work hard when "on the job." But we also know how to have fun.

Internship Stipends/Benefits

Our stipends and benefits, although small, reflect a commitment to the learning, experiences and skills we hope to nurture and develop in our interns. We offer $200 per month as a stipend for first year interns as well as all room and board. The living arrangements are on the farm in a mobile home with three bedrooms and a full kitchen. Morning and noon meals on working days are generally eaten together in the main house and the late meal is, by choice, either in the main house or on your own in the mobile home or otherwise. We feel strongly that the most valuable "take-home pay" is the knowledge which is gained. We are committed to offering as much farm education as interns want and need. Interns are given appropriate responsibilities from the start of their experience and are guided by us in individually structured progress. We attempt to strike a balance between appropriate "motivation" and sensitivity to the nervousness of new experiences. No intern is asked to do jobs he or she is not ready for nor anything for which they are not comfortable trying.

Family Information

We, Solveig and Michael, love our farm! We enjoy the work, the challenges and the daily routines which the farm operation provides. We also love to cook and eat the stuff we grow! We are practicing vegans but are not insistent that others follow the same path - although meat in the main house kitchen is not encouraged. We also love our companion animals - Rose the dog and the family of old but lovable cats. We like engaging conversation, a rowdy game of Yahtze and we are pretty serious cyclists - racing in 2006 we think! So bring your musical instruments, board games, bikes and cooking skills!

Additional Information

We would welcome phone or e-mail inquiries for more information. We do require a phone interview and a farm visit before the start of the internship. Please contact us using the above found information. We look forward to hearing from you.