Interns will learn and participate in sowing, transplanting, field preparation, irrigation, fertilization, pest and weed control, harvesting and horticultural business practices associated with packaging, storing, distributing and selling vegetable crops. Interested trainees may also be trained to operate tractors and commonly-used implements and may be able to develop additional mechanical skills. Start dates are between March and July and end in October. There are a few 12-month placements available.
Skills to be learned may include:
- Planting
- Fertilizing
- Irrigating
- Weed and insect control
- Small equipment operation
- Trimming
- Propagation
- Pollination
- Harvesting
- Processing
- Packaging
- Storage
- Distribution
- Sales (including farmer’s markets)
*Actual skills learned will vary by host and previous experience