La Finca CSA

Current Operation

Describe your current operation, specifically with regards to sustainable farming practices.

La Finca (the farm in Spanish) is the home of Charlie, Tzeitel, and Alida Kersey. Located on a quiet county road in Willow River, MN, La Finca is 100 miles north of the Twin Cities Metro Area and 50 miles south of Duluth. Our forty acre farm is a mix of fields, forest, and wetlands where we grow 7 acres of certified organic vegetables, herbs, fruit, and raise chickens on pasture in portable hoophouses. We will be offering 375 farm shares to our CSA members in 2009. Our delivery season runs from mid- June through the end of January.

At La Finca we are committed to producing high quality food while limiting the impact on our natural resources. Each growing season crops are rotated through our vegetable fields, compost is spread, cover crops are grown, and rock powders containing micronutrients are incorporated. Our friendly broiler chickens flourish as they spend their days within the fallow vegetable fields, leaving behind their "fertilizer" to naturally enrich the soil. By focusing the production of food on a small portion of our farm, we are able to leave large tracts undisturbed for our wildlife neighbors. Bald eagles, hawks, coyotes, deer, songbirds, and even the occasional bear are just a few of the animal that call our farm home.

Internship Description

Describe the kinds of work interns will perform and any project with which interns would be involved.
Most aspects of farm operation including: planting, weeding, harvesting, processing and freezing for Winter Share, washing and packing of CSA shares (Summer and Fall), irrigation, care of chickens, composting, some tractor work. Lots of organic farming books and plenty of experience (the mistakes too!) that we want to share.

Intern Skills/Experience

List specific skills or experience that interns should have.
Strong interest in organic farming, and enthusiasm to learn more is most important. Ideally intern has some small farm work experience, or familiarity with growing vegetables. Willingness to work outside in variable conditions. Ability to work as a team member, or individually. Ability to lift 50 lbs., and interest in a job that is physically active.

Internship Timeline

What is the minimum duration (weeks) and number of hours/day, that you require an intern to be able to work?

Minimum of 8 weeks. Ideally looking for one intern that would like to experience the entire growing season from greenhouse work in April through mid - October, or possibly until Thanksgiving. Another intern would start in early June and finish at the end of August. We are somewhat flexible with start and end dates. Intern is expected to work a 40 hour week.

Internship Stipends/Benefits

List any stipend or benefits that you are able to offer to interns. If living accommodations are not provided, is housing available nearby?
We pay a monthly stipend of $800. Veggies and on farm accommodations are available.

Additional Information

Provide any additional information you think would be helpful.
We are located in a peaceful, rural setting. Having a car to get to town would be helpful.