Farmer-To-Farmer Program FAQs

The program is implemented by various organizations, listed in the Implementing Partners section, which individuals must contact or register with individually to apply for an assignment. Volunteers are sought for a range of skills related to agriculture, including production, post-harvest handling, processing, marketing, business development, rural banking and financial services, cooperative and association development, food safety, gender, nutrition, environmental and natural resource management, apiculture, and other technical areas. While prior experience in agriculture is beneficial, it is not a requirement, as relevant skills from other fields can also be valuable to the program. Assignment lengths vary, typically ranging from 2 to 4 weeks, and volunteers contribute their time and expertise while the implementing organization covers all assignment-related expenses, including round-trip airfare, lodging, meals, and incidentals. Foreign language skills are generally not required, as interpreters are provided when necessary. Housing arrangements vary depending on the location, with volunteers typically staying in moderate-quality hotels, guesthouses, or apartments in urban areas and with hosts or in more rustic settings in rural areas. While volunteers are not eligible for funding to bring a spouse or other family member, they are encouraged to schedule a post-assignment vacation to meet with family and friends. The Farmer-To-Farmer program operates in various countries worldwide, and interested individuals can find the current listing of implementing organizations and countries in the Implementing Partners section. Volunteers are matched with assignments based on their interests and expertise, and a willingness to volunteer does not guarantee automatic placement, as the process is driven by the demand for particular skills from overseas clients.