work exchange at the minnesota ecovillage project
Work exchange (WEX) is a great opportunity for anyone interested in being a part of the Minnesota Ecovillage Community. Through a work exchange one will get to experience what its like to live in nature and in community, along with all of the other gifts, lessons and challenges that come with the territory.
Minimum commitment: 4 weeks (a hosting fee may apply for shorter stays)
In a standard work exchange, we ask for a commitment of 4 weeks and expect 25 hours of work per week. In exchange for 25 hours of work per week a WEX will receive food for three meals/day (aside from dinner WEXs are responsible for cooking their own meals) as well as access to our communal spaces and amenities. WEXs are given the options of camping or if rooms are available, either private or shared rooms as an alternative (for our nicer private rooms a monthly fee may be included). Amenities include an outdoor kitchen co-op for shared meals, access to the common house with showers, composting toilets, electricity, wifi and a diverse range of community activities and offerings including our festivals.
We are looking for responsible self motivated individuals who love nature and love living in community. At the MNEV we value communication, curiosity, empathy, joy, sustainability, honesty and a return to nature. If this sounds like you we would love to have you join us for this work exchange opportunity.
Required skills for all positions:
- Motivated, hard-working, strong work-ethic, works well with others and is diligent.
- Flexible to working around others schedules.
- Adaptable to rustic and rugged living/working conditions (limited running water, sharing spaces with bugs and rodents, working outdoors in heat, and inclement weather)
- Self-directed, able to see where help is needed and step up to take responsibility.
- Self-reliant (ability to take care of themselves and speak up if needed)
- Can clean up after themselves including washing dishes around meals.
- High level of emotional awareness and stability (or a desire to improve), this includes being able to communicate when ones needs are not being met and ask for support when needed.
- Open to seriously grappling with the ways in which privilege, colonialism, racism, and sexism have shaped society, everyday social interactions, and one’s own life
- Non judgemental and generous of spirit (not entitled)
- Passionate about grassroots sustainability, community, and exploring alternatives to mainstream culture while remaining humble and understanding that everything is a work in progress!
- All Work Exchangers are expected to be responsible for the cleaning/duties of one communal space and the cooking of one communal meal per week.
- Other work includes cleaning of guest rooms/spaces, making of beds, laundry, gardening, fire wood chopping (if able) and occasional manual labor(please inform us of physical health conditions that may inhibit this and we can work around that).
Specialized work exchange positions:
For those with specific skills we are looking to fill these roles:
MNEV Administrator - handles online responsibilities, including communications, guest reservations, WEX and volunteer coordination (under the Volunteer Manager), online accounting, website updates and renovations (wordpress website building experience ideally), contracts/agreements/guidelines drafting. See here for all admin responsibilities.
Kitchen Assistant - Support the Kitchen Manager in day to day operations: preparing dinners, baking bread, shopping for food, winter food prep, garden work, planning meals, washing dishes and cleaning, ect.
Construction/Project Assistant - Manual Labor on various tasks around the village. Construction experience needed. General knowledge on usage of basic tools, chainsaws, drills, saws ect.
Equine Assistant - feeding, training, cleaning, riding and all other care and management of horses. Online responsibilities may also be included in this role, including communication with equine volunteers, support with wildhearts online horse profiles and webpage, ect.
Please see our Work Exchange Guidelines for more information before applying.
Apply for Work Exchange
