Come to the USA on an IAEA/AgriExchange Program and gain new skills through hands-on experiences in agriculture, horticulture, and related fields. Learn about daily life in the United States and make friends from around the world.
Want to work on an American farm, experience working on a large operation? You could even harvest your way across America! Advance your knowledge and training with practical, hands-on experience in the USA.
If you have found an agricultural placement on an American host farm, we may be in position to help you in obtaining a J1 visa if you are fulfilling the requirements to get it.
Practical Experience
Trainees and Interns have the opportunity to live in a different culture and acquire new skills through day-to-day hands-on experiences in agriculture. They are exposed to a variety of technologies, skill-building experiences, and other relevant activities in order to further their knowledge and interests.
Training and Internships in the USA
Practical training in agriculture is hard work (especially in the USA). Hosts will teach participants about their operation, spending the majority of time on daily work activities. The amount of responsibility given to the trainee or intern depends on their skills.
Participants must be prepared for the nature and amount of work that is involved in American agriculture. It is also important to note that AgriVenture Programs are designed as a learning and cultural experience.
The International Agriculture Exchange Association (IAEA) is a designated J-1 visa sponsor. To be eligible for a J-1 visa in the USA, you must qualify as a trainee or an intern
Intern
- Is currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree or certificate granting post secondary academic institution or
- Graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to their exchange visitor program begin date.
Trainee
- Has a degree or professional certificate and a least one year of prior related work experience in their occupational field or
- At least Five years of work experience in his/her occupational field.
Custom harvesting
Custom harvesting is a unique opportunity to see the Midwest and experience the “American Harvest” This is an incredible opportunity to operate “Big Iron” and learn precision agriculture. Move from farm to farm, and “harvest the crops that feed the world.” Being on a custom harvest crew means being involved in every aspect of the harvest run, from working in the workshop to operating and main- taining machinery. Trainees must be adaptable to living in tight spaces, and get along well with others.
Placements are generally 7 months starting in April
Skills to be learned:
- Operation of farm machinery & road vehicles
- Maintenance and repair of farm machinery
- Harvesting of crops
- Exposure to field testing of new combines & headers
- Time Management
- Exposure to the American way of life and business
Cattle Ranching
Beef placements will include: calving, care and feeding of live- stock, branding, vaccinating, castrating, sorting and breeding of cattle, fencing, assisting of rotational grazing, ranch mainte- nance, and haying. Most beef farms also grow crops; therefore most students also work in the field.
Placements are generally 9-12 months in length starting in February.
Skills to be learned:
- Calving, branding and breeding of cows
- Care and feeding of beef cattle
- Herd health management
- Herd management
- Marketing of crops and livestock
- Operation of farm machinery and on road vehicles
- Maintenance and repair of farm machinery
- Harvesting of crops
- Exposure to the American way of life and business
Dairy
With dairy placements trainees will be involved with most aspects of operation-milking, feeding, cleaning, harvesting forage and grain, treatment of sick animals, and waste disposal/sanitation. Some trainees may be involved with the hosts’ breeding and nutrition program.
Placements are available year around.
Skills to be learned:
- Care and feeding of dairy cattle
- Ration balancing
- Pasture management
- Herd health management
- Herd reproductive management
- Marketing of crops, livestock and livestock products
- Operation of farm machinery
- Exposure to the American way of life and business
Cropping
Cropping hosts are mainly in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana, Kansas. Farms are very progressive operations that use new technology, provide hands-on learning experiences. Work will includes: preparing soil, applying fertilizer and pesticides, seeding, irrigating, har- vesting, machinery upkeep and repair, storing crops, haul- ing produce or seed. Trainees arrive in early April and stay with the operation until the end of harvest, usually the end November. This way a trainee can see the planting and harvesting as well as the care of the crops.
Placements are generally 7 months starting in April, some placements are available in February.
Skills to be learned:
- Crop rotation management
- Weed identification
- Seeding
- Fertilizer and crop protection decisions
- Operation of farm machinery and on-road vehicles
- Maintenance and repair of farm machinery
- Harvesting and drying of crops
- Time management
- Exposure to the American way of life and business
Swine, sheep, equine, horticulture and viticulture
Limited swine, sheep, equine, horticulture and viticulture placements are available at this time.