Minnesota’s Only Correctional Work Farm

We believe people can change.

The Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC) is a high integrity correctional facility in a work farm setting providing Justice-Involved Men educational opportunities and practical skills to thrive in the world after rehabilitation.

NERCC also has retail spaces to boast: meat processing services, a Farm Fresh Meat Market, a full scale Greenhouse (flowers and vegetables), as well as farm produce and hay for sale.

GREENHOUSE

Our Greenhouse is now closed for the 2024 season. The NERCC Greenhouse is where the men grow flowers and a variety of vegetables.

As seeds turn to plants in the spring, we expand to two hoop houses which are FULL and open to the public for retail purchase. Perennials, annuals, and vegetable plants available seasonally.

Later in the summer, we have hay, pumpkins, and other vegatables available for purchase as well.

When in season, you may visit our Facebook page for updated info about what we have growing.

MEAT MARKET

Come see our impressive shop in Saginaw Minnesota. Drop in anytime during our business hours without an appt!

Our new Meat Market is open year round. Residents at NERCC are learning skills with raising chickens, turkeys, and even meat processing.

Mondays — 9am - 5pm

Tuesdays — 9am - 5pm

Wednesdays — 9am - 5pm

Thursdays — 9am - 6pm

Fridays — 9am - 6pm

Saturdays — 9am - 3pm

Sundays — Closed

(Please note that the meat market is closed on weekends and all major holidays.)

MEAT PROCESSING

NERCC provides meat processing services for years to local farmers and hunters, open to the public.

The meat processing facility allows NERCC to raise and process their own food for the residents.

This cuts down on food costs while teaching Justice Involved Men a trade.

To reserve a time for order drop off, and to find important ordering forms which are tailored to the type of animal we are processing for you, click the button below.

Its the individual who decides whether or not to make changes within themselves and their lives.

While we cannot require anyone to change, we can require them to learn how to change, as participants in our many avenues of programming.

Our job is to give residents tools to create change in their lives. We offer programming and learning opportunities that translate into successful life and work skills.

Farm experiences offer justice-involved men a fresh start — back to the basics of life.

To feel in-touch with the natural environment around them, to learn skills to be self-sufficient… time and again, we have seen this process work for residents at NERCC.

Life + Job Skills

The NERCC facility and it’s buildings sit among 3,200 acres bordering both Fish Lake and Caribou Lake. 

NERCC dates back to the 1930’s as a work farm with full logging, lathe mill, dairy, laundry, beef, poultry and hog operations filling facility needs and those of surrounding counties. Many of the farm's original buildings are still standing and being used. 

NERCC is not only a necessary resource to address the jail overcrowding issues in the five county region (St Louis, Carlton, Cook, Lake, Koochiching), it also reduces the use of state prison beds. 

NERCC Offers Opportunities

NERCC teaches life and job skills, including substance use disorder treatment, mental health treatment, treatment for men who sexually abused, cognitive programming, education, farming, animal care, maintenance, mechanics, food service, meat cutting, and greenhouse plantings.  These experiences provide a lifelong skill set for the men to use in their search for employment.

Day to day work activity allows the men to contribute to the cost of their stay and provides the community with valuable resources. 

The Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC) is a minimum / medium security institution providing 144 beds for adult males, operated by Arrowhead Regional Corrections; a joint powers agency operated by Carlton, Cook, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis Counties.

It is licensed as a Class VI facility by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Services include education, vocational training, treatment, recreation, and medical services.


Work With Us

Click below to learn more about current employment postings.