Sunflower Fields Family Farm is located in northeast Iowa near Waukon and Postville. We operate a multi-producer CSA which has 155 shareholders in 2000 and we are also members of the GROWN Locally cooperative, a local collaborative of growers supplying fresh vegetables to area institutions on a weekly basis during the growing season. We raise 18+ acres of vegetables on our 215 acre farm which supplies the needs of Sunflower Fields CSA and meets our GROWN Locally co-op responsibilities.

The regional and local geography is hilly and small farm parcels are the norm. Sunflower Fields is on a gentle hilltop, placed on the end of a .5 mile farm lane with beautiful views. We have added a greenhouse and updated some of our 100 year old buildings but it is still a work in progress.

As a continuation of our internship program, we are looking for 2-3 interns for the 2001 growing season starting April 1 and concluding around November 1. These dates are somewhat negotiable and we are willing to discuss time commitments within reason.

These internships are intended as educational experiences for those who participate. We offer opportunities not only on our farm but with our association of local growers that make up the GROWN Locally cooperative, marketing local farm products directly to local institutions. Contact and dialog with local farm groups, organizations and local growers who are using innovative approaches to small scale farming are also parts of the internship. Farm visits, field days, etc. are attended as time allows and interest is shown.

Experience in organic vegetable production is helpful, but most important is enthusiasm for learning about small farm production and direct, local marketing. A positive attitude, a desire to experience all facets of a small farm business, a sense of self motivation and responsibility and a healthy sense of humor is worth much more to us than lots of experience.

Interns live with our family in the farm house. Meals are eaten with us and a social life is developed around interests of the various interns and other local farm interns. We feel that interns should not only learn about organic farming, but also about farm life and its commitments. All room and board are provided and a $100 monthly stipend is offered to each intern.