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Are you an aspiring ecological farmer who wants to live close to the lake and get experience raising chickens and learning about market gardening? Boreal Ranch in Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba might be the place for you!
About the Farm
Boreal Ranch operates on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, Cree, and Métis peoples, on land that has been stewarded by Indigenous communities since time immemorial. We are grateful to live, learn, and grow food here, and we recognize our responsibility to care for the land in ways that respect its history and support its future. We remain committed to learning from Indigenous knowledge and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable food system.
Boreal Ranch is a small, diversified farm located in the boreal region of eastern Manitoba. They focus on regenerative practices and raising food in a way that works with the northern environment. Their main enterprises include pasture-raised poultry (chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl) and eggs, a growing market garden, seasonal vegetables sold through CSA and a roadside stand, L’Herberie Greenhouse Boutique and farm themed events.
They’re continually expanding and refining their systems—this year adding a new garden plot, increasing the laying hen flock, building a winter chicken tunnel, and developing new infrastructure to extend the growing season. They also host on-farm experiences and small events that connect the community to local food and the land.
Their long-term vision is to build a resilient, community-centered farm that creates meaningful opportunities in food production, education, and rural development.
This farm is unique because they are developing a multi-stream, regenerative operation with a long-term vision for community food security. They are proud of their ability to keep expanding—new garden plots, more hens, successful markets—while staying committed to learning and thoughtful growth.
They use regenerative and ecological practices, including rotational grazing for poultry, composting, building healthy soil through low-till methods, and selecting hardy crops suited to the northern climate.
Website: www.borealranch.ca
Workplace Culture
Boreal Ranch is Megan and Rob’s legacy project and they approach each day with curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to work hard and have fun along the way. The ranch is a blank canvas, and they love learning, building, and dreaming as they grow. They have not had staff on the farm in previous years, the apprenticeship will be the first farm employee other than management. Megan and Rob both have had employees in their previous careers and Megan has lots of experience in leadership training. They are excited to work with people who are excited about regenerative agriculture and entrepreneurialism.
About the Farmers
Megan and Rob met in 1996 and after years of city‑living, gardening, animal raising, and corporate jobs — plus a love for cooking, travel, and wholesome food — the pandemic helped them realize their true calling. Deciding to make their dream real, Megan left the corporate world and together they started building Boreal Ranch on 100 acres in rural Manitoba, committed to regenerative farming and local food. What began as a passion for gardening and healthy living transformed into a full‑time mission to grow high quality, sustainable, Manitoba‑grown food and experiences for community, nature, and sustainable living.
About the Apprenticeship
Days start early at Boreal Ranch, with feeding and moving broilers, turkeys, and laying hens. Apprentices will help care for the birds, manage food levels, and collect, clean, and package eggs. When timing is right, they would participate in the processing of poultry. They may also assist with small building projects related to poultry infrastructure as the farm continues to expand their operations.
After morning chores related to the poultry enterprises, the focus will shift to the market garden (all the time) and L’Herberie Boutique (April – July). Apprentices will help with seeding, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, and conditioning and packing vegetables. Depending on the day, they may also work in the boutique, interact with customers, or help with on-farm events.
For those interested in construction, there are opportunities to assist with infrastructure projects such as water management systems and the development of a farm store and kitchen. Overall, each day is a mix of hands-on farming, learning new skills, problem-solving, and contributing to a growing, creative farm operation.
Job descriptions and SOPs available.
Duration of employment: Mid April to mid-October ideally, but could do May – September.
The job requirements are:
- Applicant must be between the ages of 18-30 to meet wage subsidy requirements.
- Applicant needs to have their driver’s license and access to a car for transportation to and from the farm.
- Comfortable working outdoors in all weather.
- Physically active and able to lift, bend, and walk for extended periods.
- Interest in poultry, eggs, and small-scale diversified farming
- Willingness to work early mornings and flexible hours
- Enthusiasm for hands-on learning and problem-solving
- Ability to work independently and as part of a small team
- Interest in farm infrastructure or building projects is a plus
- Positive attitude, curiosity, and a sense of humor
Apprentices are willing to learn these skills:
- Techniques to minimize tillage
- Animal Nutrition, Handling Animals, Animal Health, Feeding & watering, Moving animals in a field
- Greenhouse management, seeding & transplanting, setting up irrigation, crop planning & rotations, getting harvest to market
- Truck & tractor basic operation, power tools operation, carpentry basic
- Sharing talents & skills with community
- Annual budgeting & planning, Customer service, Time management
Compensation
The wage will be $17.00/hour
About the Community
Boreal Ranch is located near Lac du Bonnet, a vibrant small-town community surrounded by forests, lakes, and rivers. The area offers outdoor recreation year-round, including boating, fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing, as well as local events like farmers’ markets, community festivals, and seasonal celebrations. Residents enjoy a friendly, tight-knit atmosphere with access to shops, cafes, and essential amenities, making rural life both active and welcoming.
1.5 hours – Winnipeg
Accommodation
Accommodations: yes
Accommodation details: Apprentices will stay in a comfortable shared house right on the ranch (800 sqft), just steps from all farm operations (116 acres) with a view of the operations and the boreal forest. The house has 3 bedrooms, a full kitchen with dishwasher, and a bathroom with shower and tub. It offers plenty of space for meal prep and communal living, making it easy to cook and share meals. For a change of scenery, apprentices are also welcome to visit the family’s lakefront home.
Accommodations shared with other employees/apprentices: yes
Access to a full bathroom with running water: yes
Type of dwelling: Four seasons
Pets permitted: no
Guests permitted: yes
Rent: $400 / month
Accommodation Agreement: yes
Other information: Apprentices will share the space with other apprentices or farm staff if applicable, and may occasionally overlap with the farm owners when using the kitchen or common areas. While they are respectful of personal space and quiet time, farm life is collaborative and requires flexibility and communication. For a change of scenery, apprentices are also welcome to visit the family’s lakefront home. The room has a closet, double bed and room for a TV and desk. Internet is available but limited. Should another apprentice join the team, they would share the common spaces. Owners do not stay at that house, but will need access to the kitchen and washroom.
Boreal Ranch looks forward to seeing you!
