Dreaming of gardening in the prairies this summer with a very supportive farm family and in community? Dunrea Farming Company offers a wholesome homesteading apprenticeship with a focus on market gardening and a background of grain production.
About the Farm
Dunrea Farming Company are located on Treaty 1 territory near Dunrea, MB.
Dunrea Farming Company is spearheaded by Kara Burrell with support from her spouse Brian Meaud (who owns and operates a 4th generation grain farm). They live and farm with their 2 school age children, near the Souris River, north of Margaret Manitoba and just a few miles north west of the Grain Farm near Dunrea, Manitoba.
The growing season is on their farm busy and filled with the bounty and beauty of the garden and the land they live on. They grow a variety of vegetables, garlic and fibre plants. They also operate and attend 2 summer farmers market, one is Friday evening in Ninette, Manitoba and the other is Saturday morning in Boissevain, Manitoba.
They are still developing the property, gardens and growing infrastructure and it is exciting and fulfilling work. The market garden and home quarter section use organic practices, maintaining natural land and re-wilding land around farm land when possible. Using compost, cover crops, human powered labour, and being mindful of their impact on the world. They are working towards using permanent raised bed to minimize tillage with the vegetables and using straw mulch to minimize bare soil when possible. They are also planting trees and other perennials. They believe that it takes community and many hands to farm sustainably and in a way that is healthy for people and the environment, therefore, they would love to attract more people into rural farming life as a part of regenerative farming.
About the Apprenticeship
The focus of this apprenticeship will be on helping with the market garden. Duties include working in the vegetable garden, planting, weeding, harvesting. Cleaning and prepping veggies for market. Pickling for market. The apprentice will also be helping work the farmers market tables and sales. They could also include taking pictures and working with online promotion on Facebook and Instagram. Apprentice may assist and gain experience in other farm jobs, including infrastructure development.
Outline of the farm season:
The season in the garden starts in May. Some seeds are started indoors in the late winter/early spring. The early part of the season is mostly planting (veggies and flowers), watering if needed, mulching where needed and weeding. Once the CSA and markets start, they generally work Tuesday to Saturday. July, August and September are the busiest months for harvesting, washing, selling, canning, drying herbs, and storing food for the household. August is also garlic harvest, trimming, and curing. October is the time for garden clean up and harvesting late season and storage crops.
They prioritize a balance of work and rest. Lunch is at noonish and supper is at 6:30. They rarely work in the garden after suppertime. The Ninette Farmers Market is Friday evening 6-7:30, normally getting home from that around 8pm. Saturday mornings are early, leaving for the Boissevain Market around 7 am. That market is from 9-2. Most of the harvesting and packing for markets is on Thursday and Friday morning.
They are passionate about farming and growing community around growing food for local markets. They understand the challenges involved in setting up farms and in continuing multi-generation farms and want to help to teach and encourage others to enter this worthwhile profession. They also need and value seasonal labour.
As part of the apprenticeship, you will meet with other apprentices across Manitoba who are part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship program. Field days, learning opportunities and potlucks will be planned with this group at each hosts farm. You will be provided with a learning fund to support travel or other learning opportunities you wish to pursue.
About the mentors
Kara Burrell and Brian Meaud
Kara – grew up on a hay farm north of Brandon, moved to Winnipeg for 10 years while she attended university and worked in retail and office work, she moved back to the farm and worked in sales and marketing with her parents farm equipment business for 4 years before meeting my partner Brian and moving to his grain farm near Dunrea. She is passionate about growing food and eating whole food, sustainable and environmentally thoughtful living, natural fibres and traditional processes. She loves sharing conversations about farming and rural life. She has a strong competence for the business and financial security needed to sustain the farm and a life in the country. She cultivates balance between modern efficiency and traditional practices. Roles: farm life manager and co-ordinator, housing co-ordinator, assistant garden planter and harvester, Ninette market coordinator.
Brian – Although he does not often work directly with the market garden, Brian has a wealth of knowledge and experience in farming that has made this work possible for the rest of us.
Kara and flax for fibres
Skills this farm has to teach:
The following skills are being offered by this farm. While you’ll get exposure to many of these areas, it is likely that not all will be covered. Apprentices will work to identify the skills they want to develop to a learning plan with the host farm.
| Market gardening | Grain Production |
|---|---|
| Cooperative living | plant fibers |
| farm life finances | herb growing |
| garlic growing | flower growing |
| farmers market | multiple farm business’ management |
| Marketing farming goods | food preservation for winter |
Skills Required of the Apprentice
A desire to grow food and learn all about farming and physical ability to work in a garden for extended hours.
They will be expected to provide their own work clothing including: appropriate footwear for various seasons/weather situations, gloves, hat, work clothes, pocket knife etc.
A Drivers license is required.
Housing, Stipend and Duration
Specifics of the housing arrangements will be determined with the apprentice but generallly room and board are included! They have a few different options available, all accommodations are clean, safe and comfortable.
There will be access to laundry, internet(currently not available at all yards but can tether if needed), and a library with a variety of books on farming, country living, cooking and lifestyle.
The apprentice will also have access to a vehicle to use locally! (might be standard only, but can be taught).
Almost all lunches and suppers are eaten in community on the farm. In-season vegetables and preserved food will available in plenty with a few possible restrictions that will clearly be identified. Any frozen meats or eggs will be shared with the apprentice. Sourdough bread and other baking is often available. Breakfast will be independent unless the apprentice is staying in the main farm house. Snacks, specialty drinks and junk food are the apprentices responsibility. Meals are largely plant based diet, so a vegans/vegetarians are easily accomodated.
Wage is negotiable depending on experience and initiative of the applicant as well as available grants. Wage is minimum $15.30/hour or more for 5 days/week, 25-30 hours/week. Wage compensation as a combination of part time wage and a half share of revenue from vegetable sales from 2 farmers markets is possible and will be negotiated with the apprentice. Work will likely be Mon-Fri or Tues-Sat. Some parts of the season are slower and there are certain busy weeks, but otherwise we are fairly flexible for time off. Time off will be discussed with applicant. There will be a small fee for room and board.
The duration will be 4-6 months between April and Ocotober 31st, this is negotiable.
About the Community and Land
The farm is located in rural southwestern Manitoba. The farm borders a wildlife management area on the Souris river, a popular spot for hiking, river sports and hunting. They are surrounded by mainly grain farms. The nearest city is Brandon (just less than 1 hour), which has all amenities. Nearby towns that service their area are Ninette – a lake community with sailing, a few restaurants and a farmers market and Boissevain – a small town with a vibrant arts community and the nearby Turtle Mountain provincial park.
“We acknowledge that we farm on treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba is located on the Treaty Territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline, Nehethowuk and Metis Nations.” – Kara Burrell
More Details about this Apprenticeship and How to Apply
Deadline > January 31st, 2024
Interested in an Apprenticeship but this isn’t quite the right one? Check out other Young Agrarians Apprenticeships being offered in 2024 here.