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Jul 08, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM CT
Marion, IA | Rodale Institute-Midwest Organic Center | Free
Participants will have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with Rodale Institute’s Midwest Organic Center staff and team of Organic Consultants to learn about our research and demonstration…

Apr 27 - Oct 26 | North Branch, MN | Women’s Environmental Institute | $
Become a beekeeper in this seven-month hands-on class that meets one Sunday per month while following the life of Honeybees. The first class is Sunday, April 27, 2025, and continues every fourth…

Wow, I just finished my third season of organic farm inspections and am mostly impressed with the 61 farms I visited this summer.
Here are my observations and take-aways from my work, with the caveat…

Learn about events where farmers can work together to build up knowledge and confidence about taking care of themselves– minds and bodies – while also taking care of the land. The MVEG Network…

Wow, I just finished my third season of organic farm inspections and am mostly impressed with the 61 farms I visited this summer.
Here are my observations and take-aways from my work, with the caveat…

“All in all, currants and gooseberries are healthful, delicious fruits which can thrive on organic farms in our region. Currants are particularly easy to grow, high-yielding plants; gooseberries can…

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Jason Fishbach and Steffen Mirsky are statewide UW-extension Outreach Specialists who recently launched the WI Emerging Crops Coalition. Members of the WI Emerging Crops Coalition first came together…

USDA’s new Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) regulation is now a reality, and understandably sparking a lot of conversation about what the changes will cost and how much time it will take…

As current OEFFA Executive Director, Rachel Tayse, describes, “In a truly just future, farms will fully support and sustain the ecological and human resources needed to produce food, fuel, and fiber…

Organic farmers don’t have to be convinced of the value of diversified farming systems that integrate livestock in terms of nutrient cycling, breaking pest and disease cycles, promoting soil health…

Bonnie Warndahl, Farmland Access Navigator discusses land access issues for farmers, including her own story, and what Renewing the Countryside's (RTC) Farmland Access Program is initiating to help…

Farming can be incredibly stressful. From financial challenges to unpredictable weather conditions, and access to labor, there are a multitude of issues impacting farmer's mental health daily. Luckily…

Cover crops provide multiple benefits on organic farms, but there are few cover crop options that successfully overwinter in the Upper Midwest. Hairy vetch is the most reliable winter-hardy cover crop…

Finding quality, affordable land is challenging. The Land Access Hub is a group of professionals that assist in land acquisition and are aware of the challenges and needs of beginning farmer land…

At the beginning of March, Regenerative Agriculture Alliance hosted the Inaugural Regenerative Poultry Convergence. The two-day event took place in Albert Lea, Minnesota, and brought together…

I was born and raised in a very vibrant area agriculturally speaking: a place on the southern coast of Guatemala where a wide variety of agricultural products are produced and where livestock farming…

Remembering his youthful days in Oakes, North Dakota when the horse-drawn Overshot Haystacker and kerosene lamps were replaced with new hydraulic mechanics and electricity on the farm, John Luoma has…

Michael Phillips died unexpectedly at his home orchard in Northumberland, New Hampshire, on Sunday, February 27. Michael owned and operated Lost Nation Orchard and Heartsong Farm with his wife…

Organic Valley, which sources organic milk from over 1,700 organic dairy farmers nationwide, applauds and welcomes the long-awaited announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to finalize the…

Marbleseed is a prairie plant native to the Midwest. It has a deep taproot and thrives in areas grazed by cattle and is one of the first to return, resilient after fire.

Although it may lack the youthful enthusiasm of earlier protests, the ongoing effort to secure the right for farmers to have some choice in their equipment service options is gaining momentum. It is…

The fertility needs of perennial fruit crops are very different from those of annual vegetable or row crops. Trees and shrubs must be managed for both long-term soil fertility AND yearly nutrient…

It’s exciting to start a farm. You come into it with a passion, sure that you are READY! You’ve worked on other farms to learn the ropes, attended conferences and field days, read dozens of books, and…

The growth phase of the pasture season is coming to a rapid end as we advance through the fall. However, we still have plenty of options to optimize fall grazing in the transition to winter. One of…

Most people can name a few apple varieties: those available at grocery stores, those we remember from childhood, maybe a few more for people who regularly visit a local orchard in the fall. But there…

As a full-forage Grassfed dairy and beef grazier, I find it paramount to grow as much quality forage as our farm can every year. Conditions in Wisconsin this year have made that especially challenging…

An interesting part of my position with Marbleseed as a crop specialist is the variety of questions that come my way. The questions range widely from specific crop rotations to determining what to…

For people considering organic certification, it’s commonly understood that you’ll have to change some of your management practices. When the crops you grow are annuals, it seems fairly st…

Organic certification has four big steps each year: application, initial review, inspection, and final review. Now is the time to start on the first step. It is the most work in the first year—from…

You would have to crunch the numbers to determine the financial impact of the pests and how much it will cost to pay for a company to take care of them for you. If you have had major pest issues that…

For most fruit growers, pruning for tree health happens in winter. There are some pruning activities done during the growing season, but heavy pruning carries a significant risk of spreading diseases…

Adding a plant like elderberry or aronia to your farm can seem like a great idea. For organic growers, these crops have many advantages: They are inexpensive to establish and well-suited to cold…

NOP regulations do not currently dictate the level of GMO purity present in harvested organic crops. Organic production is a process-based verification (vs. an end-product verification) so crops can…

There is no question that dairy producers, both conventional and organic, are feeling the pain of a prolonged down market. Organic milk buyers and cooperatives are not actively taking on new producers…

As we enter the time of mid-summer bounty, the pollinators and beneficial insects are busy sipping up the nectar and pollen from your flowering plants. Nectar provides energy, and pollen is high in…

Marbleseed has a fact sheet covering this topic that I wrote while working for Organic Valley, a large cooperative of organic dairy farmers. In it, there are a number of options for lice control, but…

Livestock that are certified organic must only be fed certified organic feed. Sometimes, though, producers find themselves in a situation where they’re feeding uncertified animals on certified organic…

Municipal compost is becoming more common as communities switch to composting yard and kitchen waste instead of sending it to a landfill. The National Organic Standards separates compost in two groups…

Greenhouses and high tunnels are great tools, but they also provide a nice protected environment for certain insect pests. Normally, aphids are kept in check by predators, parasites and by wind and…

In 2015, we bought a farm with some infrastructure but no greenhouse. We grow flowers and vegetables. Because we were low on capital, but high in experience and knew how to “hack” together season…

Creeping buttercup is not a problem weed for us in the Midwest, so I am not that familiar with how to control it. From what I have read, it is perennial, and is tough to kill because of its root…

First, you need to make sure that they are actually fruit flies. Fruit flies are often confused with a different insect called a fungus gnat. Fruit flies have red eyes, a round body and tend to hover…

You can add rented land, or new fields of your own, by adding them to your current year field plan and providing your organic certifier with the previous three years of field histories. If the land…

The scarcity of certified organic meat proces­sors in the Midwest is one of the biggest issues facing the organic industry. The recent loss of the organic processor Premier Meats in southwest…

Knowing where you’ve come from in your farm business can help you know where to go. Keeping good, clear financial records is key to your future farm business success. Applying those well-kept records…

Rental rates for all cropland have increased rapidly over the past five years. Ethanol mandates, strong export markets and the increased demand for meat and dairy products have resulted in high…

Organic farming is a long-term process. Always start the year before by planting a good cover crop, something that will over-winter and return in spring like cereal rye, clover or vetch. If that didn…

While it may seem early to be thinking about breeding season, it’s actually a good time to start getting your plan in order to so that you and your ruminant livestock can be fully ready when the time…

Taking soil samples and testing is a good idea every few years to track if your soil fertility program is moving in the right direction. These tests are one way to prove to your organic certifier that…

There always seems to be a “race to the finish line” when it comes to preparing your farm for winter. If you’re involved in fall production, it can be even more difficult to fit it all in before the…

Whether or not you can get certified now depends on the crop or livestock products you want to sell as organic. All certification agencies are required to see at least some of the requested crops…

The USDA maintains a national list of certified organic operations under the Organic Integrity Database . You can search by state, products, and many other…

Your primary piece of equipment to ensure long-lasting flowers of most varieties is a cooler. You need to be able to take the field heat out of the flowers and hold them until delivery at about 40…

There are a couple different cost share options for organic farmers across the country to help reduce the burden of certification fees. The most widely available is the National Organic Certification…

Farmers who have been utilizing organic practices for years, but have not been certified, might not have to wait a full 36 months between when they decide to transition to organic and when they can…

The standards used by all organic certification agencies are the same USDA organic regulations. Agencies compete for your business based on service and price. The research you do now to choose a…

Even if you feel that you have plenty of land to pasture animals on, mid-season dry spells and the need to let pastures rest means that you may need to consider particular management alternatives in…

As you plan your new pasture, remember that fallow land is not necessarily going to be good pasture land. Just because it’s covered in grass doesn’t mean it’s a productive pasture capable of meeting…

The National Organic Program states that ruminants must receive a significant portion of their daily nutrition (30%) from pasture. This means that they must harvest (eat) living plants that have roots…

One of the most important—and most overlooked—steps in the process of transitioning is to plan ahead for a marketplace where you will be able to move your organic products. Because an outlet for your…

Organic farming is more than a season of putting seeds in the ground and harvesting the plants. It is a farming system that integrates cultural, biological, and mechanical practices to foster cycling…

Harvesting of many organic crops is routinely done by custom operators who are not organic. These operators will need to follow specific protocols to prevent commingling of the organic crop with any…

In my many years of organic inspection, the most profitable and productive organic farmers were those who also kept good records. The documentation you keep need not be burdensome, and should be…

Your organic system plan (OSP) organic certification application includes the locations that various practices and inputs are used on your farm. Your organic certification agency uses your written…

The National Organic Program defines planting stock as “any plant or plant tissue other than annual seedlings, but including rhizomes, shoots, leaf or stem cuttings, roots, or tubers, used in plant…

There are three common wash water addi­tives used for washing organic vegetables. One is food-grade hydrogen peroxide, 35%. This should be diluted down to 3% in the wash water. That would be one part…

Policy plays an important role in our agricultural communities. Whether you’re discussing federal farm policy building conservation grants or more local policy governing infrastructure, the policies…

You probably will not be able to buy plants at your local garden store. When using annual transplants (tomatoes, peppers, onion plants etc.), the plants must be certified organic in order to sell…

Congratulations on knowing all of the acronyms! These government programs can provide funds to help you manage your land with conservation in mind. The payments may not be sufficient to cover all of…

If you can smell the pesticide, it has drifted to your farm. If you are not feeling well, immediately see your family doctor or go to the emergency room. Pesticide exposure should not be taken lightly…

You should check the quality of your grain. It should be clean of chaff and weed seeds when you put it in the bin. Many farmers run their grain through a rotary screen cleaner to reduce extraneous…

Many organic producers use diatomaceous earth, commonly called DE, to control insect infes­tations in organic grain storage. This fossilized remains of an ancient hard shell algae is used in many food…

Under our organic regulation, the GMO contaminated organic corn is still certified organic, although your buyer may have stricter purchasing preferences that include a specific tolerance level for…

Small-scale (<50 acre) vegetable farms are an increasingly important part of the Upper Midwest food system, but little is documented about the soils on these farms, particularly in high tunnels. To…

Organic farmers are struggling with the challenges of the eroding integrity of the National Organic Program. Rather than throw up their hands and turn away, many of the pioneers of the American…

Manure management is critical for fertility in organic systems and for protecting the environment. Recent research highlights practices to reduce greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from organic…

This workshop will address some of the challenges that beginning farmers, particularly immigrant farmers in minority communities, face as they try to gain traction and carve spaces for themselves…

Wendy Johnson has one boot in the conventional row crop world and the other in the world of regenerative food farming. Hear her personal account of the flooding, drought, derechos, and tornadoes that…

In this presentation, Bagwaj will briefly describe the relationship between Indigenous nations and settler-colonial states that set up the legal basis for continued occupation, treaties, and actions…

Farming is complicated enough, and marketing to schools, hospitals, and restaurants on your own adds an additional layer of stress. Come learn how participating in a Virtual Food Hub, aka the Farmers…

For those experiencing unprecedented financial volatility and scarcity of resources, discover some real-scale challenges and solutions with data-backed research to learn the possibilities of using…

Small farms thrive on healthy, fair relationships among farmers, workers, and customers. When everyone is treated with respect and care, they make the farm more productive, safe, and resilient in the…

Building Your Own Seed Sovereignty to Boost Economic Growth and Production on Your Farm 

Mention “beans” and what comes to mind is often navy, kidney, or pinto. In this workshop, meet Lina Cisco’s Bird Egg, Kenearly Yellow Eye, Peregion, and Christmas Lima. With names as fantastic as…

There are more soil microbes in a teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people on the planet, so whose farm plan is accounting for them properly? A functioning soil ecosystem made up of aerobic…

Join Randy Cutler of Cutler Fence and a panel of experienced graziers
as they share the what and how of mobile solutions for grazing needs
and pasture health. They will look at options for managing…

Hired labor is crucial to the success of many diversified vegetable
farms. Yet farm owners struggle to attract and retain employees,
and many of those employees struggle to build a sustainable career…

Grazing curious? Join Hannah Bernhardt from Medicine Creek Farm
and Morgan LaSalle of ForageScape Farm to learn the basic principles
of good pasture management and hear their experiences with…

While there are many “how-to” resources on small-scale farming, there are a few on the concepts of work(load) management. After years of frustration Joel began to research methods used in various…

A few challenges with organic farming include weed control,
providing enough nitrogen, and excess tillage. Learn what Otter
Creek Organic farm has done to address these issues. We have been
following…

Jody Padgham, long time organic poultry farmer and editor of Raising
Poultry on Pasture: Ten Years of Success, will moderate a panel
of farmers using paddock shift, chicken tractors, and day ranging…

Many of the problems we face in agriculture today are the result of disconnecting the animals and plants that together provide our food. This workshop focuses on strategies for reconnecting livestock…

If you are dealing with this perennial weed in your fields, you know
what a stalwart adversary it can be. With its ability to spread by
seed and from vegetative buds in the root system, it can be a…

Farmer-led learning and on-farm research into cover crop-based reduced tillage will build resilience to extreme rainfall for diversified vegetable production.

Want to grow organic apples? This session will address both the
business of apples and the basics of growing certified organic apples
in the Midwest. Topics include choosing your market, site…

This workshop will provide two different perspectives: one from a vegetables farmer who ultimately decided to leave farming and one from a Dairy farmer making adjustments to stay in farming. They will…

The Organic Research Forum showcases research studies on organic
farming practices and brings together researchers and farmers to
discuss goals and future research needs. The Organic Research Forum
is…

Jody Padgham, long time organic poultry farmer and editor of Raising
Poultry on Pasture: Ten Years of Success, will moderate a panel
of farmers using paddock shift, chicken tractors, and day ranging…

When deciding to implement a new conservation practice, it’s
important to make sure your risk management strategies align. This
presentation will provide an overview of how crop insurance interacts…

New to field crop production or transitioning to organic
management? Effective organic weed management requires more
than just equipment. Joel Gruver of Western Illinois University
will identify…

Thinking about transitioning to organic? Hear from organic certifiers
about steps to take, and resources to help you along the way.

High tunnels are becoming an increasingly popular approach to extend the vegetable cropping season in cold climates. However, soil and nutrient management in organic high tunnels can be challenging…

What does it take to double down on diversity in crops, animals,
enterprises and community in order to build farms that thrive
in the face of adversity? Farming on a planet with an unstable
climate…

The long-term trends of insurable losses have been increasing and
may further increase because of changing and disruptive weather
and climate. Can organic farmers better assess their weather-related…

Join 2022 Marbleseed Changemaker Awardee Urban Grower’s
Collective for a discussion about their programs and how they are
affecting change.

It is always something. Markets change. One day home-delivered produces boxes are cutting into CSA sales; the next, a pandemic shuts down restaurants, colleges, and farmers markets. In this workshop…

Farm woodlots have the potential to add economic, environmental,
and social value to your agricultural operation. This workshop will
provide an overview of the planning, people, and programs that can…

Farmers use solar energy to produce food and fiber. Now with solar arrays it is possible to add renewable electricity to your farm's production. A solar array will pay for itself, generate profit…

Learn about soil testing and nutrient management principles in
organic production systems. Topics will include soil testing and its
interpretation, crop rotations, nutrient cycling, manure, compost…

Ever wished you could just corner your veterinarian and ask them all
those burning questions you have regarding the well-being of all your
livestock? Well, here is your chance! This facilitated Q&A…

Thinking of getting into pastured pigs? Dayna Burtness of Nettle
Valley Farm will introduce the basics of finishing pigs on pasture,
including fencing, food/water/shelter options, finding feeder pigs…

There are a number of reasons to be enthusiastic about the future
of Organic as we work our way through this time of unprecedented
support from the USDA, ever growing consumer demand for many…

The process is underway to develop the 2023 Farm Bill, and now is
the time for the organic community to move our priorities forward
together. Join this panel discussion as we identify our shared…

Longer and more diverse crop rotations can improve soil health,
reduce weed pressure, help with pest and disease management and
boost biodiversity. But how does one develop a rotation best suited
to…

Pears can be among the choicest of tree fruits when grown to perfection. Growing a really good pear starts with selecting among the best of the old and new varieties; training and pruning these…

Join us for updates on a variety of broccoli trials, conducted in
partnership with farmers and gardeners across the upper Midwest.
This session will highlight variety trials including: screening for…

Hear from a panel of experienced grazing practitioners about how
they manage their pastures and the tricks and tips that took their
grazing to the “next level.” This discussion will be moderated by…

Generations of farmers have depended on cooperatives as an
essential tool to support their livelihoods and their communities.
Do co-ops support a fairer food system? Can they offer alternative…

Organic farms can be potent community builders. By pursuing healthy farming practices, we create new fertility and lower environmental costs, reducing financial flows away from rural communities. Yet…

Mushroom cultivation is relatively new to the small-farm scene and
emerging technologies, equipment and methods keep the grower
challenged to meet demand and stay economically strong. Learn
from four…

Nitrogen is critical for plant’s growth and development. Most plants
take up nitrogen from the soil, but the legume family of plants can
derive nitrogen directly from the air. How can you ensure you…

Growing perennial flowers and shrubs is a fantastic way to add
diversity and to extend the growing season for a cut flower farm. We
will discuss some of our favorite perennial flower and foliage crops…

Join experienced Farmland Access Navigators to learn about the
current challenges and solutions of land tenure. They will share land
access stories and dive into creative solutions to land acquisition…

Alfalfa and alfalfa/grass large square bales. Organic certified. Quality Tested. Shipping available throughout country. Price varies on cutting. Located in Linton, ND. Dave Silbernagel 208-867-9939.

40-acre organic farm in N. Wilkesboro, NC for sale. 100 years in family. House, barn, pastures, timber, small springs. City water, land percs. www.ncfarm.freshandalive.com, 386-888-2342, ken@rohla.org
New Smyrna Beach, FL - Posted: March 26

Currently Certified 115 acres with Organic history for lease 2025+ @ New Glarus, Wisconsin. Open 105 acres, 10 more just across driveway. Class A highway access. Possible split right renters.
New Glarus, WI - Posted: March 24

6 Row Lilliston Cultivator for sale. Excellent condition. Call for Info.
920-901-7148
Manitowoc, WI - Posted: March 10

The Story Collecting & Celebration Intern will play a key role in preparing for and supporting Seed Savers Exchange’s 50th-anniversary celebration on August 8–9, 2025. Their primary responsibilities will focus on collecting and documenting stories of seed stewardship, coordinating personal outreach to supporters, supporting visitor readiness efforts, and contributing to post-event archiving and communications.

Sharing Our Roots (SOR) is a 501(c)3 non-profit and 163-acre farm in Northfield, Minnesota, dedicated to advancing a resilient agriculture system that demonstrates the power to heal our lands, nourish our communities, and prepare emerging farmers.

The Executive Director’s top priorities initially will be to lead the organization by overseeing operations, finance, programs, and staff, while working to fundraise for and hire a more complete administrative team.

This position supports Seed Savers Exchange through the work of onsite seed productions of open-pollinated, heirloom varieties. With a focus on assisting with field preparations, transplanting, field maintenance, seed harvesting, and seed processing, this year-round position also includes propagation in the greenhouse, as well as seed packaging and supporting with order fulfillment duties in the winter months.

Gwenyn Hill Farm is hiring one full-time, year-round Dairy Assistant. The Dairy Assistant will work with our Dairy Manager to perform day-to-day livestock and cropping duties on our diverse, organic farm. This work includes but is not limited to parlor milking and care of 60 cow dairy herd, grazing management, assistance in cropping and haying on 90 organic acres, general farm maintenance such as mowing and fencing, general equipment maintenance, and accurate record-keeping.

Our 23-acre organic vegetable farm is looking for smart, tough, detail-oriented people to join our crew full time, from late June through November. Ideal candidates will possess a strong interest in food and farming, enjoy working on a team, and be ready for a challenge. We strive to create a culture of respect & inclusivity in our crew and have been voted Best Farm in our county four years in a row by readers of our local newspaper. We look forward to hearing from you!

On-farm housing (camper + shared facilities) provided + $10/hr.
35-40 hours/week beginning in May.

Join our lively, fast-paced farm team and help grow top-quality organic produce for local families! This position will work closely with the Farm Managers and other team members to complete all tasks related to growing vegetables using sustainable practices for our 400-member CSA. Geared toward someone with leadership skills and an interest in both farm work and farm management.

Operate Farmer’s Markets: Take ownership of the market booth and run it as if it’s your own business, creating a welcoming and informative experience for customers.

Below you will find an overview for this role. This is a full time position year round. This individual must have already had experience managing an operation, keen eye for detail and general knowledge of the different cuts of meat, shipping, warehouse management, and customer relations. This individual will in a sense be responsible for knowing the ins and outs of the business from the time the animal is dropped off at the processor to the time the order arrives at the customer's home.

Schedule: March 17 - November 26, 5 days per week, 40 - 50 hours per week

Carversville Farm Foundation (CFF) is a non-profit that runs a philanthropic, diversified, regenerative, certified organic farm. We grow produce, eggs and meat to the highest standards and donate 100% of our harvests to Philadelphia-area soup kitchens, year-round.

Youth Camp Co-Manager

Wisconsin Farmers Union Kamp Kenwood is looking for someone who loves being outside and who loves kids to lead our 2025 summer program. Our staff spend much of the summer outdoors and having fun while working, teaching, and learning together.

Co-managers will be responsible for planning and running the 2025 youth program at our beautiful camp on the shores of Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. These positions will help hire summer staff, plan and implement

Wisconsin Farmers Union is looking for summer staff who love being outside and who love kids. Our staff spend much of the summer outdoors and having fun while working, teaching, and learning together.

The Great Lakes Incubator Farm (GLIF is accepting applications for it's experiential Farm Training Program.

GLIF dedicated to training the next generation of farmers through a local farming model rooted in regenerative agriculture with a goal to build resiliency in local food systems.

The hands-on Training program combines real world farming experience running a farm business with an experienced mentor with a comprehensive and progressive educational curriculum. Apply Today!

I am looking for Gardening/ Landscaping work and would like to learn more regarding the packaging process. I have years of experience.

Please contact Laurie Rothering at: 608-632-2040 or l.rothering62@gmail.com

We're seeking to hire a motivated individual to be the lead large livestock manager concerning all aspects of production of beef, hogs, & poultry from the time they arrive to harvest. This is a long term position with great potential for growth as our farm expands. The ideal candidate has at-least 4 years of like kind pasture based farming experience or 2 years of a farm manager role experience. Individuals without this experience are still encouraged to apply.

We’re looking for a motivated individual to join our Production Team! This individual will help execute all aspects of crop production for ~35-45 acres of field crops and two 30’x120’ hoophouses. Work involves tractor operation, implement use and equipment troubleshooting and requires ongoing communication and coordination with other team members. Within the Production Team, specific areas of responsibility may be assigned depending on individual interests, skills and experience.

Genesee Lake School is looking for a Field Assistant to help our Homegrown Farm blossom. The farm grows fresh organic vegetables for the school kitchen, raises chickens and goats for an overall farm and educational experience for the students. In addition to growing in the field, we use Aquaponics & Hydroponics, a responsible and sustainable method to farming, allowing us to provide year-round food production. We offer flexible hours for this Seasonal position which starts in May-Oct

General Position Description:
The Permaculture Farm Hand will play a significant support role in the overall farming operation of the Namchak Retreat Ranch. The main goal of this position is to assist with the general upkeep of permaculture sites and complete general labor tasks. We are looking for a highly self-motivated individual willing to be flexible in weekly tasks to support all farming operations.