I have no idea what to look for in a farm to intern on. What am I wanting to learn or get from the farm where I would eventually intern? How much do the personalities of farm owners matter vs. what I can expect to learn? Should I be concerned about living conditions if I can get great depth and breadth of farm experience?
My criteria, in order of importance are:
- Must be an organic farm (all the farms in the CRAFT network employ organic methods, as far as I know). This is critical, since my overall objective is to explore alternatives to conventional farming methods.
- Farm manager/s must be willing to answer questions and explain things.
- Has some livestock (such as chickens, cows, pigs). Livestock manure is very important for a self-sustaining farm. I'd like exposure to livestock. Who knows? Maybe I'll become a cattle baron.
- Has a record of profitability (but learning good farm techniques doesn't necessarily mean they know how to run the farm as a business.
- Offers a wide range of farming experience, including, greenhouse growing, vegetable production, livestock management, and machine use, repair and maintenance
- Proximity to Toronto would be a bonus
I can't tell a good farmer from a bad farmer, but I'm trying to find clues.
The manager who said he "loved" his new and very expensive tractor concerned me, especially when he mentioned that their operation is finally becoming profitable after several years. On all the other farms I visited the farm machinery is old. Common sense tells me you should never buy a new tractor, unless you're Donald Trump setting up a hobby farm for your mistress.
All of the farms I visited had some great qualities. At one farm they used draught animals. No tractors. And they were very positive and engaging.
It will be a challenge to find the right farm.
