Evaluating the Effectiveness of Meeting Seasonal Labor Demands by Integrating a Farm Internship Program

2007 Annual Report for FNC06-633

Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2006: $5,905.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2009
Region: North Central
State: Wisconsin
Project Coordinator:

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Meeting Seasonal Labor Demands by Integrating a Farm Internship Program

Summary

WORK ACTIVITES
-Collected data on vegetable production and hours worked in production
-Utilized more land management practices on same production acreage
-Internship satisfaction assessment of two 2007 summer interns
-Created on-farm resource library
-Went to spring orientation for interns
-Assessment of family quality of life
-Began discussions with the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) and Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) regarding CRAFT-like program integration in this region

RESULTS
-Increased vegetable production off of same acreage utilized in the previous seasons due to, in part, the increased number of land management practices implemented and increased seasonal labor. Increased weed management, mulching, succession seedings/plantings, and timely harvests were some of the improvements.

-Seasonal labor consisted of two main interns who lived at the farm, one intermittent intern who lived off the farm, and several volunteers who sporadically helped throughout the season. Interns were paid stipends for their labors. Food and board was provided to interns as they needed.

-Farm interns and farmers were typically done with farm duties by 4pm adding to increased quality of life for all. Garden work was typically concentrated into four days of the week. Meals were shared family style throughout the summer.

-Offered rural living experiences and recreational opportunities to interns adding to the well-roundedness of the internship. Interns participated in Mississippi River island camping, kayaking/canoeing, bike riding, wild food collection, neighborly get-togethers, food preservation, local events, farmer’s markets, and on-farm wood-fired pizza events. On-farm resource library was used by interns and they appreciated these resources to browse during their personal time. Many informal discussions were had regarding growing practices, local foods issues, global foods issues, family life on the farm, small business management, and diversified marketing to the local communities. Participation in spring orientation by 2 out of 3 interns and Heather gave a weekend experience to the ways some beginning farmers are farming in southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois.

-Family was able to go on two different overnight outings while interns lived at the farm. Jeremy Smith, husband and farming partner who works full-time off the farm, was able to not work “another shift” many nights of the 2007 production season due to the increased efficiency of the farm.

-CRAFT coordinator Parker Parson is simultaneously discussing options with LSP about how a CRAFT-like program could be integrated into LSP in this region. Farmers could be on a steering committee to help dictate the direction of the program while utilizing LSP’s strong grant writing and organizational structure. I am working with LSP to reach out to area farmers through a letter, survey, and later a symposium about the topic of this grant at Winona State University.

WORK PLAN
-Again collect data on small-scale vegetable production, sustainable farming practices applied, and overall farm profitability. Use another season’s data to compare production, profitability, and quality of life issues as they are connected with the internship program.

-Assess 2008 interns level of satisfaction, overall experience on the farm, and well-roundedness of internship. Compare types of interns that have come to the farm and what this means for the greater community of farms looking for interns

-Look at the questions, “Is having interns worth the effort?” Look at time spent recruiting and fielding potential applicants, time spent on informal educational components and time spent on outreach opportunities.

OUTREACH
-Continue to discuss the possibilities of LSP integrating a CRAFT-like program into this region.
-Complete a survey to area farmers regarding CRAFT program interest.
-Continue informal discussions with farmers and CRAFT coordinator about CRAFT and internship program interest.
-Host an LSP Beginning Farmer’s Field Day Tour June 2008.
-Go to another farm’s field day in summer 2008.
-Summarize grant findings and present grant findings at a Winona State University Symposium in winter 2008.