What We Do

Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) sponsors international farmers to come to the United States for training and cultural exchange that promotes sustainable agriculture. Since 1997, MESA has sponsored nearly 500 global farm stewards at over 250 U.S. host placements.

MESA proudly offers the only J-1 Training and Cultural Exchange Program--as designated by the U.S. Department of State--to solely facilitate a "share and learn" experience on behalf of sustainable agriculture for aspiring global farmers and our U.S. hosts. MESA's U.S. agricultural program designation permits us to sponsor trainees (aka "stewards") for up to 12 months on a J-1 training visa.

A non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, MESA aims to push the boundaries of cross-cultural exchange and training by introducing global farmers and farm advocates to the innovations in sustainable agriculture in the U.S. and offer the U.S. hosts an opportunity to get acquainted with other agricultural traditions.

For recruitment of stewards for U.S. training, MESA establishes global partnerships with NGOs and university programs that are well regarded in the field of sustainable agriculture and work closely with farming communities and agricultural students in their countries.

MESA manages a Competitive Matching Grants Program, which allows stewards to submit proposals for projects they hope to launch in their communities once they return. Since 1998, MESA has funded dozens of small-scale, Home Country Projects (HCP) designed by enterprising steward alumni in Peru, Ecuador, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Lithuania, Armenia, Kenya, Bolivia and Mexico.