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Are you an aspiring ecological farmer who wants hands on experience working with cattle with learning regenerative practices? Solar Nutrition and Circle H Farms in Brandon, Manitoba might be the place for you!
About the Farm
Circle H Ranch is a beef operation that focuses on grazing as a tool to improve the land. They also have a direct farm store called Solar Nutrition where they are selling grass fed beef, grass fed bison, eggs, dog treats, soaps, candles, lotion, flour and a U-Pick Pumpkin patch.
The farm uses high stock density grazing that has regenerated the land. They are proud that their store sells products that use regenerative agriculture and that they have the only U-Pick in Manitoba that uses regenerative ag principles.
The regenerative principles they use in their farm are:
1. Minimize soil disturbance
2. Keep a living root in the ground
3. Minimize chemical and fertilizer inputs
4. Include grazing animals
5. increase diversity
They are really excited that they are seeing the land and animal health improve and more diversity increasing on the land naturally over time.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Solar.Nutrition.Info
Workplace Culture
Parents, Brian and Sonja, Kristelle (their daughter) Mike (Kristelle’s husband) run the operation. Mike and Kristelle work off the farm and the day to day operations are mainly run by Brian. They are open to learning new ideas and adding on new enterprises to the farm.
They would love to bring in an employee who is motivated to start another enterprise of their own on Circle H Ranch, that the farmers can help support and guide. They would also love to hire an employee who is interested in returning for many years.
About the Farmers
Living and working on the farm is: Kristelle, Mike (and their small children) and Brian and Sonja. Kristelle (Daughter) and Mike (Father) are the main farmers. Brian and Sonja are the parents of Kristelle. Brian and Sonja bought this farm and Kristelle and Mike will take it over.
Brian Harper – Grew up in southern MB on a dairy cow operation. Brian is an innovative and open minded producer; he also is responsible for the majority of the cattle and equipment management on the farm. He is wanting to take a step back from the farm day to day operations and allow more time to enjoy off farm activities.
Kristelle Harper – Grew up at Circle H Farms and now manages the business side of the farm which includes record keeping, direct sales and the pumpkin Patch. Kristelle also works full time as a Farm Management Consultant. She has a Degree in Animal Science and Diploma in Applied Sustainable Ranching. She is working towards taking over more of the day to day responsibilities of the operation and she is excited to be welcoming her and Mike’s second child in April 2024!
Sonja Harper– Comes from a farm from Virden but moved into Brandon at a young age. Sonja helps with yard maintenance, and the farm’s bookkeeping. She is newly retired and interested in getting more involved in the farm but also looking at enjoying time off the farm and taking care of the grand babies.
Mike Blais– While he has no background in farming and works off the farm full time, Mike is great with the animals, helps out with farm labour where he can and is always interested in learning more.
About the Apprenticeship
This apprenticeship is a great learning opportunity to experience how cattle can enhance and conserve a grassland environment. Building soil health and improving their grazing lands are top priority for Circle H farms, and the apprentice will learn many techniques to sustainably manage for and assess ecological outcomes.
For their cattle the season starts with calving from May to June, then rotational cell grazing April to December, and then bale grazing December to April. The Apprentice would assist with general care of all animals (checking water, feeding, bedding, cleaning, health checks). Summer tasks consist of fence repairs, moving cattle for rotational grazing, checking water systems, making and storing hay, and equipment maintenance. Fall tasks would consist of more cattle care, preparing feed, building and repairing fences and feeders, and other projects.
The responsibilities for the Pumpkin Patch will be field preparation and seeding in Mid June, upkeep (weeding/watering) June-September, and sales in September to October. The large market garden which they grow for a few produce sales and personal use, is busy from May-October with similar activities, i.e. planting, maintenance/upkeep and harvest and sales. Lastly the farm also does year round direct sales through their Solar Nutrition business which the apprentice is welcome to learn from and participate in.
Apprentice tasks will include:
- Moving temporary fence and cattle to new paddocks.
- Checking for animal health issues.
- Helping during calving season with tagging.
- Entering in grazing and animal records.
- Helping the store with marketing, inventory management, pick up or drop offs.
- Helping with the U-Pick seeding/growing/sales.
- Farm maintenance and upkeep – mowing grazing, fixing fence/water/corrals.
The job requirements are:
- Any experience working with animals is a plus, but a desire to learn and an interest in regenerative practices is essential!
- A good work ethic and ability to work independently.
- Physically fit and willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- A valid driver’s license is an asset.
- The apprentices will need their own transport to and from the farm. We normally use quads for farm activities and it will be provided.
Apprentices are willing to learn these skills:
- Observing biodiversity,
- Observing the water cycle
- Techniques to minimize tillage
- Techniques to encourage plant diversity
- Assessing soil health in the field
- Techniques to integrate cropping & livestock
- Assessing forage quality & health of pasture
- Moving animals in a field
- Making a holistic grazing plan
- Handling Animals
- Seeding & transplanting
Compensation
The farm will offer Minimum wage or higher – dependent on employee’s experience and work ethic.
It would be beneficial for the applicant to be between 18-30 years of age due to the wage subsidy funding requirements.
- Minimum wage to $20 per hour. Dependent on experience and work ethic. Wage can be negotiable once they have had more training as well. Wage is also dependent on funding we are able to receive for the worker.
- Stipend or pay deductions for living expenses will be reviewed when the living accommodations are determined.
- The ideal duration of employment is flexible but around Mid April to End of October.
- Work is 4-6 hours a day. 5 days a week. We are flexible on if/when they need time off and will work together as a farm team to have a tentative summer schedule and review monthly
About the Community
The farms is 10 minutes (5kms) from Brandon, Manitoba, which is the second largest city in the province. Population of 50,000 with basically all amenities and necessities and apprentice would need. It has a great amount of activities for anyone and any interest. Brandon also has many short term rentals available which the family is willing to help the apprentice in finding something suitable to rent.
Circle H Farm is located on Treaty 1 lands. These are the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Red River Métis.
Accommodation
Accommodation details:
The farm can accommodate someone staying if they have their own camper trailer. There are multiple sites that an apprentice could park a trailer and get water and electricity. Then they would use the house for showering and laundry.
Accommodations shared with other employees/apprentices: no
Access to a full bathroom with running water: yes
Type of dwelling: Single season
Pets permitted: maybe
Guests permitted: maybe
Rent: If you bring a trailer there will be no charge.
The farmers also have apartment rentals, which an apprentice could rent if one became available. They are around $900 per month (depending which one). They may be able to give more hours to work off rent. To be discussed with employee.
Otherwise, the apprentice would be responsible for finding their own housing and commuting to the farm.
The family would love to share at least 3 suppers a week as a team where meal prep and cleanup will rotate. Fresh farm produce, eggs (when available) as well as different meat products will be available in moderate quantities.
Thanks for reading,
Solar Nutrition and Circle H Ranch look forward to seeing you all!
If you want to check out other Host Farms, click here.