Agricultural Enterprise Development Track

A multi-year program for the advanced agricultural student

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is offering a three-year mentoring process for beginning farmers. The first stage is the Foundation Year then the second and third years focus on the individual's goals to become a farmer. All opportunities include free access to Michael Fields' coordinated farm tours, orientation workshop and select conferences.

Program mission: To foster aspiring agriculturists on MFAI land and to enhance and expand core competencies in the practical application of organic agriculture, business management, and marketing.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Foundation Year, previous experience on CRAFT Farms or Farm Beginnings Program.

Agricultural Enterprise Development Track options:

1. Incubating Enterprise Development Track

• Begin an enterprise farm start-up at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
• Offer a low-risk environment to incubate future organic farmers with land, mentorship, and equipment so they can generate equity while developing a thriving business
• Core competencies and skills evaluation

2. Cooperative Enterprise Program Track

• Sustainable agriculture business plan development, implementation and evaluation
• Provide hands-on, practical experience in managing a small-scale farm enterprise
• Partnership between Inn Serendipity and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
• Core competencies and skills evaluation

3. Internship Track

• Off-site placement
• Intern, in conjunction with MFAI mentoring, is placed on a farm that meets their needs for the next stage of farm management development
• Continued mentoring with Garden Student Program Director
• Core competencies and skills evaluation

Program components

• Sustainable agriculture business plan development, implementation and evaluation
• Market development
• Identifying and learning core competencies and skills and time management
• Opportunity to develop educational components with GSP students and visiting groups, written and oral project presentation, farm-tours by visiting public
• Opportunity to attend any MFAI educational workshops, lectures, and special events

Duration

The second year Enterprise Development Program at MFAI will begin as early as the first of the year. January to February students will work independently under the tutelage of MFAI staff developing a budget and work plan. March to mid-November students will begin to implement their plans under the mentorship of MFAI staff.

Financial information

Agricultural Enterprise Development Tracks costs are dependent on individual student business goals (see "Funding Terms" in the program handbook, below).

To apply, or simply to find out more about the program, please refer to our program handbook and application form [pdf 1.5Mb] or contact us to receive a copy by mail.

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a public, non-profit institute for education and research in sustainable agriculture, which admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin.