CMFC INTERNSHIP CURRICULUM 2016
Vision: To empower participants to become key employees or business owners in the agricultural sector
through close study, discussion, and exposure to agricultural operations of a range of size, resources, and
circumstances, engaging a diversity of markets. This also includes a study of the components of a successful
sustainably-minded agricultural enterprise including practices, tools, business organization, options of crops and
markets, and an exploration of how the food systems of our country and county currently operate.
3 Components:
1) Focus/projects.
a. A mentor is assigned to each intern according to the range of their particular interests. The
‘projects’ can be as simple as a series of responsibilities related with a mentor’s farm role
which are clearly delineated by the mentor-student team and include some academic or
scientific component. The educational goal which feeds into the bigger curriculum here, is
to creatively engage the integration of production trials, innovation, and production
systems. There are just a few simple guidelines to the project/focus portion of the
internship:
1) That the project, projects or focused responsibilities encourage an intern’s pursuit of
their specific goals in relation to their time at Cloud Mountain.
2) That the project, projects or focused responsibilities help promote the mission and
operations of Cloud Mountain and their mentor’s role and responsibilities within it.
3) That a timeline for progress is established at the beginning, including outlines of
expected time investment, specific goals and actions related to a timeline.
4) That the project, projects or focus have some engagement of the scientific method and
of useful record-keeping.
5) Interns will report by oral presentation on 3 occasions throughout, to staff and interns
on their progress and process.
The process to establish the scope of each project or focus will be for the intern and their
assigned mentor to meet in which the intern will present an outline of what they hope to
accomplish in the course of the program, specific dates for future benchmarks and
presentations and the time they expect to dedicate to their project or responsibilities in specific
times throughout the season ahead.
2) Classroom Education
a. Each week will include one education day focused on core curriculum which includes the
basics of Soil Science, Professional Communication and Personnel Management, Business
Development, Accounting, Agricultural Theory, Fertility Management, Integrated Pest
Management, Crop Rotations, and Agricultural History (these subjects outlined in more
detail in the ‘Outcomes’ section below). These ‘classroom’ sessions take place in the field at
Cloud Mountain or other farms, or in the classroom, and follow a range of formats including
lecture, discussion, participatory exercise, and presentation by students.
3) Field Trips/Ongoing collaborations with working farms.
a. A number of local farms varying in size and markets will host multiple field trips, other
interns in the educational program and community events throughout the season.
b. Field Trips increasing in frequency as the season progresses.
Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete the Internship at Cloud Mountain Farm Center will be able to demonstrate
the following:
1) An intermediate understanding of core principals involved in growing agricultural products such as soil
science, basic plant biology, propagation, pruning, weed and pest identification and management
options, composting and fertility, cover-cropping and soil building. Students will also explore the
methods and parameters of a range of agricultural products including nursery production, tree fruit,
flowers, grapes and wine, herbs, vegetables, seed, and others. Successful students will be able to assess
their own resources, circumstance and values to choose what enterprises best fit a agricultural
operation.
2) A general understanding of Agriculture as it exists in Western Washington. Types of crops, sizes and
locations of most farms, distribution channels, markets, and access to these markets will all be explored
to some extent, to be reinforced through conversations and direct work with local farmers. Successful
students will be able to creatively engage these markets, farmers, distribution and resources effectively.
3) A general understanding of innovative development in Agriculture. Students will explore the
relationship of innovation and agriculture through an understanding and implementation of the
scientific method in crop production. Students will be able to implement variety trials, collect and
analyze data samples, and will engage creative problem solving as it relates to agriculture.
4) An intermediate understanding of starting an Agricultural Business and the ability to be a key employee
on a farm or other business in the Agricultural Sector. Through subject material including risk
assessment, business structures, business plan development, insurance, taxes, record-keeping,
enterprise accounting, effective communication, problem-solving, task efficiency, group decision
making, personnel management, crop planning, and an exploration of available markets and how they
are engaged students will gain the ability to plan and start an agricultural business, assess and gain
access to land, purchase assets, manage employees efficiently, assess markets and crops according to
their resources and circumstances, assess regional markets for viability related to crops or products,
market product to multiple distribution channels, and navigate business relationships and structures.
5) A general understanding of North American agricultural history and specific agricultural theories and
movements such as organic, permaculture, the green revolution, biodynamic, and others by way of
understanding the principles and people involved in their development. Successful students will be able
to assess their resources and circumstances as they relate to an enterprise and draw from multiple
schools of agricultural theory to match their farm’s goals.
Expectations:
1) Students participate in all educational sessions or equivalent.
2) Students come to class on-time and with a positive and professional manner.