(Fwd) PILOT PROGRAM:MESA search for growers to host international farmers

Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (mesa@mailhost.hooked.net)
Tue, 5 Dec 1995 19:15:56 -0800




**MULTINATIONAL EXCHANGE FOR SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE (MESA) SEEKS UP TO 30 U.S. ORGANIC GROWERS WILLING TO HOST
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE FARMERS FOR A ONE YEAR TRAINING PROGRAM*********

_______________
WHAT IS MESA?

MESA, a new non-profit organization and recently designated U.S.I.A.
educational exchange program, exists to promote environmentally responsible
agriculture by sponsoring an international farmer-to-farmer training
exchange. MESA's training exchange program is the first of its kind devoted
entirely to the needs of the sustainable and organic communities in the US
and abroad. To this end, we are now seeking US organic farms (particularly
in the Western US) who would like to host an international farmer for one
full year, beginning in April-May, 1996.
______________________________________
WHO ARE THE INTERNATIONAL FARMERS?

MESA has co-sponsorship agreements with reputable organic agricultural
institutions around the world. Our int'l co-sponsors select and prepare
agriculturally experienced applicants who seek to improve their skills in
alternative farming practices by living and working on a U.S. host farm for
one year. In 1996, MESA has agreed to find host farm placements for up to
30 exchange farmers from Guatemala, Honduras, China, Russia and Lithuania.
Participants will return to their homelands as advocates for sustainable
agriculture, helping to re-invigorate and nurture their rural communities.
_____________________________________
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF A HOST FARMER?

Host farmers must be willing to implement and supervise a varied
work-training schedule for the exchange farmer and engage the exchange
farmer in outside cultural and agricultural activities. In exchange for
reliable and experienced full-time work, the host farm will provide free
meals and living accommodations for the exchange farmer, and send a fee of
$675/month to MESA. MESA uses this fee to run the program, providing every
exchange farmer with a stipend ($300/month), health insurance, legal
documentation, educational seminars, domestic transportation and
administrative assistance. (For CSAs, the program fee can be budgeted as a
nominal cost to the shareholders, or taken as a tax-deduction by a few
"sponsor" members.)
MESA is also seeking outside funding to offset the program fee for a few
well-qualified small-scale farms.
_____________________________________
TELL ME MORE ABOUT MESA

For further information about MESA, our community Advisors and
international affiliates, and/or for a host farmer application, please
contact:

Lauren E. Augusta, Executive Director
Tel#: (510)654-8858
Fax#: (510)845-0861
email: mesa@hooked.net

or write to:
Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture
5337 College Ave., Suite 508
Oakland, CA 94618

.............................................END.