MESA's U.S. hosts embrace a "learn and share" model of cross-cultural exchange. MESA stewards are as eager to share their agricultural traditions and techniques as they are to learn about innovations in sustainable agriculture. Hosts and stewards develop a collaborative and open dialogue, resulting in meaningful training experiences, professional networking and often life-long friendships.

MESA partners with hosts in diverse agriculture producing regions throughout the U.S. MESA hosts represent various scales of operation as well as a diversity of expertise in organic, biodynamic, and transitional agricultural production and marketing. Hosts mentor and provide accommodations for the MESA stewards for a full season, and contribute monthly program fees that enable MESA to offer exceptional steward benefits, including: visa sponsorship, orientation/exit seminars, medical insurance, stipends, U.S. travel and coordinator support. 

The common denominator linking our hosts is their commitment to MESA's mission of: advancing a new generation of agrarian leaders, linking innovations in sustainable agriculture with ancestral knowledge worldwide to promote place-appropriate production, land stewardship, and cultural awareness.

MESA offers three programs for U.S. hosts

Core Training Program (CTP)

MESA’s largest program is designed for smaller-scale, sustainable U.S. farms, agricultural education and research centers. CTP stewards are first-time program participants with agricultural experience and aspirations, nominated and screened by MESA's global partners.

Example hosts: Hidden Villa Farm & Wilderness Center, Bobolink Dairy & Bakeyard, New Morning Farm, Terry's Berry's LLC, Dickinson College Farm

Next Level Program (NLP)

The NLP is for organic operations seeking to host successful MESA steward alumni with prior U.S. training experience and advanced agricultural skills, particularly in farm management. Each season MESA invites a select group of successful program alumni to apply for the NLP.

Example hosts: Farm Fresh to You, Agriculture & Land Based Training Association, Thanksgiving Farm at the Center for Discovery, Landisdale Farm

Professional Networking Program (PNP)

The PNP is offered when public-private entities join MESA to support mid to large-scale organic production, marketing and/or sustainable supply chain management training for international agriculturists. PNP stewards may be successful program alumni or newly recruited Global Partner nominees; all are agricultural professionals with specific career-enhancing objectives.

Recent PNP host partners: Organic Valley Family of Farms, Pacific Ag Research, Organic Bouquet

Regardless of which program suits you best, joining MESA weaves U.S. hosts into a network of sustainable farmers and farm advocates worldwide!