Cooperative Internship Training Program

Project Overview

FNE99-252
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 1999: $3,475.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1999
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $2,670.00
Region: Northeast
State: New York
Project Leader:
Elizabeth Henderson
Peacework Farm

Commodities

  • Fruits: berries (other)
  • Additional Plants: herbs, ornamentals

Practices

  • Education and Training: technical assistance, farmer to farmer, mentoring, networking
  • Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities, partnerships

    Proposal summary:

    We want to improve upon training opportunities in organic agriculture by providing a well-designed program for interns at our farms. Although a few schools offer course work in sustainable and organic agriculture, hands-on training in practical farm skills in mainly available through internships on organic farms. Each of us has had interns on our farms in the past, but without any consistent, thorough training program. By combining our forces, we will be able to offer interns the chance to learn about a variety of farms and a broader range of skills than any one farm could teach. We want to run through program as a pilot program for NOFA-NY, so that in future years groups of farmers in all parts of the state will be able to continue more effectively in producing the next generation of farmers.
    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.