Hawkeye Buffalo and Cattle Ranch
Fredericksburg, IA
Mentor Farm
Agroforestry Systems:
Silvopasture
Farm Information
Hawkeye Buffalo & Cattle Ranch is a combination of woods, pasture, hay and row crops on 260 acres in NE Iowa. The managed grazing system includes large-scale, slower rotations to accommodate bison behaviors. The herds move between open pastures with a few prairie remnants and riverbottom woods with oxbow lakes, upland pastures wetlands, and oak and hickory savannah inbetween.
The Ranch uses regenerative practices without chemical inputs on the land. The herd management focuses on balancing the rhythms of nature, the quality of life for the animals, and the resilience and practicality of farm resources. The buffalo and cattle spend their life on pasture, eating grass and hay and a minimal amount of corn grown on the farm. The Ranch strives for happy, healthy animals and a connection to nature and the land.
About the Mentor
Born and raised on the farm, owner operator Martha McFarland is a graduate of the University of Iowa and was a teacher in Colorado before taking over the operation in 2011. They are active in several agricultural organizations and also work full time for Practical Farmers of Iowa, so your work will be a balance of some time together and a lot of solo time on the farm.
Acres: 260
Located: Fredericksburg, IA
Owner/Operator: Martha McFarland
On-Farm Training Opportunities
The majority of trainee work at the ranch revolves around building and maintaining high tensile and electric fences, clearing and improving the understory of the woods to develop grasslands where multiflora rose has taken over, and general farm maintenance. There will also be cattle checks, waterline checks, and herd moves. Each week will also include opportunities for closely supervised lessons on heavy equipment including skid steer, tractors, hay mowers, manure spreaders, and chainsaw use. You’ll also have opportunities to learn about bison and cattle behaviors and management, and making hay.
Timing
6 weeks early spring thru early summer starting no later start than May 1
Trainees work 20 hours a week with flexibility in scheduling.
Shorter, intensive stays late summer for new interns wanting specific experiences are welcome.
Availability: Open
Qualifications
- No prior farming experience required
- Able to lift 50 pounds
- Must be able to walk long distances
- Drivers license required
- Must work long days in hot, sweaty or rainy conditions
- Willingness to get really dirty doing farm jobs
- Must provide your own transportation
- Must have your own insurance
Benefits
- Pay: $10-15 an hour, dependent on experience
- Housing: Housing not provided; assistance in finding housing can be provided. County park with camping hookups, bathrooms and showers nearby.
- Remoteness: The farm is located 5 miles south of Fredericksburg, Iowa, which has gas stations, a small grocery store, a pizza place and small restaurant. Larger towns are an hour away. There is no public transportation. No wifi; most carriers provide coverage, with U.S. Cellular the most reliable.
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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.
