North Shore AgroEcology Center
Finland, MN
Mentor Farm
Agroforestry Systems:
Forest Farming
Farm Information
Started in 2017, the North Shore AgroEcology Center is a developing research, education, and demonstration farm, focusing on regenerative agriculture principles and practices. The site incorporates fruit trees & shrubs, nut trees, mushrooms, bees, market garden, sugar maple woodland development, medicinal herbs, hügelkultur, a deep winter greenhouse, and climate-forward tree seedling nursery. The Center hosts farm tours, workshops, and other educational opportunities throughout the season.
Farm Information
Established: 2017
Located: Finland, MN
On-Farm Training Opportunities
Trainees will engage with all aspects of the project. From creating new hügelkultur beds, to intensive vegetable production, planting more perennials, cloning fruits/shrubs, managing drip irrigation systems, cover cropping, harvesting, and general site maintenance. If they would like to work with the bees, that option is available. Options for field trips to other established and developing agroforestry projects may be available as well.
Timing
We are fairly flexible with the timing of the training, and prefer candidates who can start early and commit to 3+ months. Apprentices can start as early as May 1st and end as late as October 15th. We can accommodate up to 2 trainees at a time.
Availability: Open
Qualifications
- Willingness to work hard
- Positive attitude
- Inquisitiveness toward life
- Experience working outdoors
- Base knowledge in some aspects of agriculture
Benefits
- Pay: $12/hour, roughly 32 - 40 hrs per week depending on length of internship.
- Housing: Housing is provided. Trainees are housed in a shared home on the land with the farm manager. Apprentices will have the second floor to themselves which has its own bathroom and two private bedrooms, while sharing a communal kitchen, living room, and porch. Please note that the second floor has 6-foot ceilings, so taller individuals may need to duck through door frames, etc. There is high speed wifi at the house and good cell phone service. There are no laundry services in the house, but there is a laundromat in Beaver Bay, about a 15-minute drive away.
- Food: Trainees are in charge of purchasing and preparing their own food, and are welcome to use any fruits and vegetables grown on the farm during the training. We often share dinners which can be discussed once on site.
- Remoteness: Located in "downtown" Finland, MN (population 195). The farm is ½ mile from our local general store, the Finland Coop, and 1 mile from the Superior Hiking Trail. It is a 15-minute drive to the next town of Silver Bay, and a 1.5-hour drive along the shore to Duluth or Grand Marais. There are loads of amazing hikes and waterfalls in the area, but all require driving. We strongly encourage applicants to have a vehicle.
Support Our Work
Sponsor a Trainee
Your gift could provide experience and technical education for aspiring farmers through on-farm training with a mentor farmer and community building opportunities for farmers, trainees, and those interested in incorporating trees on farmland.
