their skills in eco-farming practices.
>
We work with reputable organic agricultural NGOs around the world, who help
us select and prepare participants for the annual program. MESA has
received United States Information Agency exchange program designation,
which authorizes issuance of 12-18 month J-1 visas for our international
farmers.
>
MESA is currently seeking organic host farms and CSAs to host incoming
exchange farmers with various commodity interests from Russia, Lithuania,
Honduras and Guatemala. In exchange for reliable and skilled farm
assistance, host farms agree to provide room and board for their int'l
farmers. Host farms also send a monthly $675 (or $800 room only) program
fee to MESA. MESA, in turn, provides its international farmers with $300
(or $425 w/o meals) monthly stipends, full health insurance, orientations &
educational seminars, domestic transportation, legal documentation and
administrative support.
>
MESA is especially interested in seeking out small-scale, highly
diversified farms and CSAs as hosts. Recognizing that its reasonable
program fee may still be unfeasible for some farms, we are working on ways
to offset the fee to a few qualified participants. CSAs, especially, have a
tremendous resource in their members.
>
For more information about the program, or a host farm application, please
contact:
>
Lauren Augusta, Executive Director
5337 College Ave., Ste. 508
Oakland, CA 94618
Tel: 510-654-8858
Fax: 510-845-0861
email: mesa@hooked.net
>
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