by Jim Sluyter & Jo Meller
Some questions farmers ask prospective interns to find those who will work out best:
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Why do you want to work on a horse-powered farm?
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Have you had any previous experience of physical work?
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Why do you want to be a farmer?
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What horsemanship experience have you had?
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What crop or gardening experience have you had?
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Do you have any trade skills such as woodworking or metalworking?
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What are your plans for when you finish the internship?
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How will you incorporate your experience at our farm into your future plans?
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What are your future goals in relation to the use of horse power?
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Can you handle repetitive mundane chores and are you willing to
work hard?
Some questions interns might ask a farmer before accepting an apprenticeship:
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What kind of training do you offer?
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What is your philosophy of teaching?
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Describe the farm work schedule and how an intern fits in; what exactly is expected on a day-to-day basis?
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Have past interns gone on to become farmers or farm managers?
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May I contact some interns from previous years?
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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.