Ask Questions
by Jim Sluyter & Jo Meller
Some questions farmers ask prospective interns to find those who will work out best:
- Why do you want to work on a horse-powered farm?
- Have you had any previous experience of physical work?
- Why do you want to be a farmer?
- What horsemanship experience have you had?
- What crop or gardening experience have you had?
- Do you have any trade skills such as woodworking or metalworking?
- What are your plans for when you finish the internship?
- How will you incorporate your experience at our farm into your future plans?
- What are your future goals in relation to the use of horse power?
- Can you handle repetitive mundane chores and are you willing to
work hard?
Some questions interns might ask a farmer before accepting an apprenticeship:
- What kind of training do you offer?
- What is your philosophy of teaching?
- Describe the farm work schedule and how an intern fits in; what exactly is expected on a day-to-day basis?
- Have past interns gone on to become farmers or farm managers?
- May I contact some interns from previous years?
- Ask about time off, if it is important to you.
Author
Jim Sluyter and Jo Meller wrote a 9-page report on internships from which the
above was adapted with permission in the Autumn 2000 issue of Rural Heritage.
The report is based on a survey conducted by the couple and funded by the Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance. The entire report is available free as an email attachment to ruralheritage.com visitors.
above was adapted with permission in the Autumn 2000 issue of Rural Heritage.
The report is based on a survey conducted by the couple and funded by the Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance. The entire report is available free as an email attachment to ruralheritage.com visitors.