Nella Mae's Farm- FULL FOR 2026
Nella Mae’s FarM- FULL FOR 2026
1 APPRENTICESHIP - FULL FOR 2026
FULL TIME (30-40 hours/week)
APPROX START/END DATES: April - October
$17/HR
LOCATION: Cove (Satellite Farm)
YEARS IN PRODUCTION: 12
PREVIOUS YEARS HOSTING: 3
PRACTICES: Low-till, Rotational Grazing, Winter Farming
ACRES IN CULTIVATION: 1/2 Vegetables, 15 Pasture
Vegetable Production, Meat Production
ON-FARM HOUSING? No
VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, Spanish
Women-Owned/Operated, BIPOC-Owned/Operated, LGBTQIA2s+-Owned/Operated
Nella Mae’s Farm is a high desert produce farm managed with low-till, regenerative, and holistic practices at the base of the Wallowa Mountains in northeast Oregon. Nella Mae’s philosophy is influenced primarily by Holistic Management, Lean Farming, and soil science. The farm’s purpose is to feed our community, steward soil, and enhance the well being of the land and those who tend it.
FARM OVERVIEW
Nella Mae’s Farm is just outside the “city” of Cove, population 500. Cove is on the east side of the Grande Ronde Valley, population 26,000, one of the largest round valleys in the world. While this is technically high desert, the snow melt, rivers and a high water table make this place rich for agriculture. We also face a short spring, extreme temperature swings in the summer, and increasingly variable weather. We are learning to adapt every year.
Most of the farms in the valley are hundreds or thousands of acres and grow grass, grains and sunflowers for seed, alfalfa, mint, and sugar beets. There is a healthy number of small-scale farms growing meat, produce, and nursery crops, and our small group of small farms is mutually supportive and highly collaborative. We have a huge amount of support locally large and small, as well as fellow business owners, customers, and neighbors as we have grown the farm. We look forward to enhancing an Apprentice’s experience at the farm through sharing experiences with her own mentors and farmer friends.
The farm also raises a few beef for market with a neighbor.
Produce sells at the on-farm farmstand, the La Grande Farmers Market, several retail outlets, one CSA, the local and regional food banks, and restaurants in two counties.
The farm crew is small and tight-knit. We have a friendly, fun crew and focus on collaboration, teamwork, improving systems together, and eating well.
TRAINING AND EXPECTATION
Position filled for 2026.
QUALIFICATIONS / COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS
Position filled for 2026.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and feminism are guiding principles in how Nella Mae lives her life, raises her family, runs her farm, and operates her business. Understanding her own privilege, checking it, and ensuring that she is sharing her knowledge and resources with new and beginning farmers is paramount to what she does.
PAST APPRENTICE TESTIMONIALS
”Working with Nella Mae at Nella Mae's Farm has been an inspiring and transformative experience. Nella’s commitment to innovative farming practices and community engagement has profoundly shaped my approach to sustainable agriculture. This year, I am thrilled to continue as a farming partner, co-leading collaborative projects that focus on food security, community education, flowers and regenerative practices. Nella’s mentorship and dedication to fostering growth both in the field and within people have been invaluable, and I look forward to building on this foundation in the coming season!” -2024
Nella Mae with Cherry Tomatoes