Grazing and Politics – DRAT Farm

Last Updated On: May 7th, 2026 at 07:38PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
PO Box 381
Winona, Minnesota, 55987

Primary Contact: Dan Wilson
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 5073290507
    Email: dan@danwilsonforhouse.com

Website: https://www.danwilsonforhouse.com/

Internship information

General Farm Description: DRATfarm is a custom rotational grazing operation. We "custom graze" about 35 cows on our 60 acres of mixed woodland pasture in the Driftless region of Minnesota.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: May 1st 2026
Internship Ends: November 10 2026
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: March 31st
Minimum Length of Stay: Applicant needs to stay for entire length of campaign

Internship Details:

We are offering a nontraditional farm internship blending training on rotational grazing/regenerative agricultural practices with electoral politics. I am a candidate running for a State House seat in Winona Minnesota and am also a regenerative grazer. We are looking for someone who is interested in learning both how to manage livestock, and wants to learn how to manage an electoral campaign. We are able to provide private on farm housing on our 500 ac cooperatively owned farm in South Eastern Minnesota.

Farm Internship Description:

Grazing planning & paddock design — how to map pastures, calculate stock density, and build rotation schedules based on forage growth rates
Animal health & handling — daily observation, low-stress handling techniques, basic veterinary care, and knowing when to call the vet
Electric fencing — temporary and permanent fence installation, energizer maintenance, and troubleshooting
Forage assessment — reading pasture condition, identifying key forage species and weeds, and using a plate meter or visual estimation
Record keeping — grazing charts, herd records, and pasture recovery tracking
Soil health fundamentals — how grazing impacts the soil-water-plant-animal cycle, and how to observe and measure improvement over time
Infrastructure & equipment — water system management, basic tractor operation, and farm maintenance

Campaign Manager Description (https://www.danwilsonforhouse.com/cm-job-app):

Job Title: Campaign Manager
Location: Winona, Minnesota

Position Type: Temporary (through Election Day).

Stipend: $10,000 total with a $2,000 win bonus*. Pay schedule may be negotiated

Start Date: April 15th, 2026

Hours: Will start part time ramping up to full time in the last couple of months of the campaign. Details and work schedule will be negotiated during the hiring process.

About the Campaign

Our campaign for Minnesota State House is rooted in community, integrity, and practical solutions that strengthen Winona and surrounding communities. We are building a grass root effort focused on economic opportunity where it is easier for everyone in Winona to afford a home, childcare, and healthcare. We are looking for a driven, organized, and values-aligned Campaign Manager to lead day-to-day operations and help guide this race to victory. HD 26A is a target race from the DFL House Caucus, and this will be a high stakes campaign as the control of the Minnesota State House will likely be determined by this race.

Position Overview

The Campaign Manager will serve as the operational lead for the campaign. This person will work closely with the candidate to develop and execute a comprehensive campaign plan, manage staff and volunteers, oversee fundraising operations, and ensure all aspects of the campaign are aligned with our goals and values.

Key Responsibilities

Co-develop and execute a comprehensive campaign plan, timeline, and budget

Oversee field operations, including volunteer recruitment, voter contact programs, and GOTV strategy

Manage campaign staff, volunteers, and vendors

Conduct direct voter engagement with the candidate (door knocking, text/phone banking etc) on evenings and weekends

Track metrics and adjust strategy as needed

Serve as a key liaison with local DFL units, community leaders, and partner organizations

Qualifications

Strong organizational and project management skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong motivation and a self starter

Familiarity with Minnesota politics and DFL structures preferred

Applicants who live in-district preferred. If the applicant does not live in Winona County and needs a place to stay during the campaign, housing may be arranged.

 

Educational Opportunities: Political and agricultural

Skills Desired: If candidate is a strong worker and highly motivated, we can train for both politics and/or agriculture

Meals: Happy to do some weakly shared meals. Studio includes a full kitchen

Stipend: Yes

Housing: yes

Preferred method of Contact: email