Vegetable Apprentice Free R+B – Lida Farm

Last Updated On: May 7th, 2026 at 07:37PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
44593 275th Ave.
Pelican Rapids, '--, 56572

Primary Contact: Ryan Pesch
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 218-770-4398
    Email: lidafarmer@gmail.com

Website: https://www.lidafarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: We are a 20 acre vegetable farm in the beautiful west central lakes district of Minnesota that employs organic practices and is dedicated to building health and wealth in our community. For the 2025 season we will be growing vegetables on 3-4 acres and also manage 2 high tunnels and cover crops. We do a 100 member CSA, farm stand, sell at one local farmers market, and through a nearby food co-op. We are a family-run operation, mainly managed by me, Ryan Pesch, but assisted by my wife, Maree, and three kids (Sylvia, Willem, and Graham).

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 15-May-25
Internship Ends: 1-Oct-24
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: 10-May-24
Minimum Length of Stay: 1 month

Internship Details:

We are looking for an apprentice for the farm season who is looking to ‘learn the ropes’ of vegetable farming from a seasoned veteran with 20 years + experience using organic methods from seed to sale. This is a great opportunity to explore whether farming is something you want to pursue.

In this internship, we’ll work hard and, in return, you’ll learn a great deal:

• Starting seeds and growing transplants in greenhouse
• Growing in high tunnels
• Weed control methods in field and high tunnels
• Organic fertility management to build soils
• Harvesting and post-harvest handling
• Selling at farmers markets, farm stands, and through CSA
• Irrigation management
• Planting and using farm equipment
• Starting and managing cover crops

Educational Opportunities: We have hosted interns for the past 10 years and will make sure that you will learn farming while exploring agriculture in a hand-on way. We're proud that two of our past interns have gone on to build their own farm operations. At the beginning of the season we will lay out a learning plan of topics of interest.

Skills Desired: No. Only a willingness to work. Certainly on qualifications there is a need to lift up to 50 lbs and physically do stretches of work in the fields.

Meals: Yes, we cover all meal costs and you are welcome to join the family for the evening meal if you want. Some past apprentices elected to cook and eat on their own, while others joined us for meals. The choice is yours. Either way, you will not pay for food on site and certainly have access to whatever ingredients and foods we have growing.

Stipend: We pay $15/hour for time worked in addition to room and board. We are somewhat flexible on time worked each week. We need a minimum of 20 hours, but can certainly find you additional hours both on-farm and with our friend who operates an organic seed operation, North Circle Seeds (https://northcircleseeds.com/) or though our local food co-op, with which we are highly engaged.

Housing: We have a small 2-room cabin on site with a which will be your own space with a deck, kitchen, and bathroom with shower.

Preferred method of Contact: email