Green Horizon Farm
Elk Mound, WI
Mentor Farm
Agroforestry Systems:
Alley Cropping
Windbreak
Farm Information
Green Horizon is a regenerative nut and berry farm established in 2021. It is gradually transitioning the organic row crop land to organic nuts and berries. The first planting, in 2021, was 4.5 acres and included serviceberries, aronia berries, elderberries, currants, tart cherries, hazelnuts, chestnuts, and a few apple trees. The owners expanded on another 3.5 acres in spring 2023. The focus of the expansion will be black currants and aronia. Both fields include diverse groundcover that we primarily let stand during the growing season to benefit insects and ecology more generally. Both fields also include other diverse shrubs and crops to benefit ecology. We are working with the Savanna Institute and Propagate Ag on the design and implementation of the farm. Green Horizon was designed with agroforestry, permaculture, and holistic design methods. The property is adjacent to the land that my grandfather farmed since the 1930s. It’s a beautiful setting that is about one-third row crops, one-third forest, and one-third wetlands. There is a large 5-acre pond adjacent to the field.
Farm Information
Acres: 8
Established: 2001
Located: Elk Mound, WI
Apprenticeship Opportunities
Activities will take place on both the existing and new field. For the new field, we will likely start preparing the field in late April or early May. This will include intake, storage, and maintenance of plants as they arrive. We will measure, mark and till the rows. We will then lay rows of organic cardboard weed barrier with a customized tractor implement. Next, we will plant the rows using a water wheel planter, and the plants will receive a little TLC to ensure that they are all upright and in the ground properly.
Availability: Open
Some of the biodiversity species will be planted by hand. Next, we apply wood chips on top of the cardboard as an additional weed barrier and to help preserve soil moisture. Lastly, we will install above-ground drip irrigation; this is only used when we experience drought conditions or to fertigate the plants. We will also construct an electric 3D fence to keep deer out of the new field. For the existing field, the primary activities will include observing the plants and identifying pest and disease issues and general plant health, and then working with me to determine the appropriate organic solution. For insects like Japanese beetles, this would include spot spraying with an organic solution. We might also determine that it would be useful to construct more bird houses on the property to control the insect population. Plant health issues may require increased use of drip irrigation or nutrient supplementation. The existing field also requires weed management in rows – though much of this is addressed by our wood chips in row. Weeds will generally be burned, though some hand weeding will be necessary. There will also be opportunities to mow the fields and keep the grasses down under the electric deer fence. We also welcome engagement on planning future expansion of the farm, including crop selection, and management practices, including nutrient management.
Qualifications
- Interest in learning about organic management and fruit production
- Willing to do repetitive tasks at times, though work will vary throughout the season
- Able to lift and carry heavy loads and work in occasionally unpleasant weather
- Willing to work efficiently, take instruction, and learn on the job
- Preferred: Some farm or other agricultural work experience is preferred
- Excited to learn
- Able to work May to September (possibly some work in late April and early October), especially May through June
Benefits
- Pay: $11/hour with on-farm housing, $14/hr without
- Housing: My home is under construction and sits adjacent to the first field. Apprentices can stay in the house in either of two available bedrooms. There will also be a full bathroom for apprentices to use exclusively. The house is scheduled to be complete by April 2022. Camping is also an option, and a modern trailer camper may also be available. I will be the only other person living in the house for now. I have a short-haired cat and will likely get a dog sometime over the summer. My parents live on an adjacent property (15-minute walk) and are definitely part of the farm crew. My uncle (my mechanical expert) also lives nearby, and my grandparents’ old farmhouse is now owned by my cousin who visits from Madison frequently.
- Food: I will work with the apprentice to determine a plan for meals. We may be able to do some sharing of cooking duties. I can help arrange trips for groceries if the apprentice does not have their own transportation.
- Remoteness: The farm is between the small towns of Elk Mound and Colfax, and we are ideally situated 15 minutes from two larger towns/cities, which both have universities. Menomonie is a beautiful old logging town situated around a lake with historic buildings and a wonderful food co-op. Eau Claire is larger and has every convenience you could want, along with a great arts and culture scene. We are also just an hour and 20 minutes from Minneapolis. There is also a state park (Hoffman Hills) just 5-10 minutes away by car (also within biking distance). It’s Wisconsin, so there are lots of rivers and lakes nearby!
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