PRACTICE OF SUSTAINABLE AG. INTERNSHIP QUESTIONNAIRE

The Practice of Sustainable Agriculture program may be taken for 8-16 credits spring, summer and fall quarters. It consists of two parts: a 4 credit academic program and a 4-12 credit farm internship each quarter. The academic program will focus on practical organic farming including farm management, crop selection, crop management, orchard and berry management, raising flowers, summer and winter gardening, irrigation, composting, cover crops and (in the fall) livestock management. The internship portion will give students a chance to apply their knowledge on The Evergreen State College Organic Farm. There will be field trips to visit a range of different types of organic farms including at least one extended 3-day field trip spring quarter and a possible extended field trip summer quarter.

This spring the 8 credit program will consist of 4 credits of academic work and 4 credits or 10 hours/week of internship on the organic farm. The 12 credit program consists of 4 credits of academic work and 8 credits of internship equivalent to 20 hrs per week at the organic farm. The 16 credit option consists of 4 credits of academic work, 8 credits of internship and 4 credits of an independent project. The program will be open to approximately 18 students interested in participating through the spring, summer and fall quarters. Preference is given to upper division students having a strong interest in agriculture and a background in ecological agriculture, environmental science and related studies. The following will be used as criteria for admission into the program: your preparation and future aspirations in agriculture, your ability to work within a group setting and the results of the faculty interview.

Please complete the questionnaire and mail or e-mail it to Melissa Barker, farm manager, on or before March 3, 2004. At the Academic Fair (March 3, 4-6pm) you will need to sign up for an interview with Melissa Barker. The interviews will be conducted on March 4 and 5. For prospective students not currently residing near Olympia, interviews can be conducted by phone. You will be notified by e-mail or phone regarding your acceptance into the internship by Monday March 8, in time for registration. After acceptance you will need to fill out an internship contract form. Martha Rosemeyer (360) 867 6646 (rosemeym@evergreen.edu) will sponsor your internship. Melissa Barker will be your Field Supervisor.

Please answer the following questions as briefly and completely as possible. The style and content of your writing is extremely important. Please include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

1) What is your class standing at Evergreen? (i.e. junior, senior) Please list the course work you have taken in the

last two years. (If taken at Evergreen please include the name of the faculty.)

2) The Practice of Sustainable Agriculture. is a three quarter long program (spring, summer and fall). Please

stipulate your ability to commit to all three quarters and the number of credits you expect to take each quarter.

3) Describe your experience in agriculture. (Farm, garden, greenhouse)

4) What skills do you hope to gain? Why is the Evergreen Organic Farm the place for you to learn these skills?

5) What are your future aspirations in agriculture?

6) In addition to vegetable production, students may have the opportunity to work on additional farm activities.

Please indicate from the list below which farm activities you have an interest in. (3-5 total)

____beekeeping ____laying hens ____chicken production ____turkeys ____pig production

____fruit production ____herb propagation and production ____mushroom cultivation ____wreath making

____flower production and bouquets ____value added products (jam, salsa, pesto, etc.) ____composting

____retail sales (farmstand) ____wholesale sales (Bon Appetit) ____other _______

7) Please provide two professional or academic references with contact information.

Please do not drop material at my office; mail or e-mail all completed materials to:

Melissa Barker (barkerm@evergreen.edu)

Lab 1

Evergreen State College

Olympia, WA 98505

Phone (360) 867-6160