The Farm Experience Internship is a 3 ECTS international summer course at Wageningen University (Netherlands). It’s a growing movement that is being co-created by peasants, farmers, gardeners, scientists, students, activists, NGOs and agroecological companies – working together towards a sustainable, healthy, viable food system that is fair for the earth, the consumer and the producer. Join the FEI and sign up for this summer’s edition with the following link : https://forms.gle/29wVJG3ixwtooPKa9
In this video, which replaces the FEI kick-off that we would normally make an event around, we explore what agroecology means for these farmers that we work together with, and we learn about the origins of the FEI, and how it ended up in the Netherlands, about 8 years ago.
Are you curious about the FEI, our 4-week long summer course centered around agroecology? Or you’re already registered, but want to know more of what you got yourself into? Then this video is for you!
The corona virus is having a big impact worldwide. We, as organisers of the FEI 2020, are taking care that we are up to date and hope that the FEI summer course can happen in July and August.
As many of us are facing insecurities in these times, so do we. Our position as organisers is challenging at the moment since we have to deal with a lot of questions. Are we going to have to cancel? Will the situation be safe again in July? What can and what can’t we do right now? And how can we gain funding in these times?
One thing is clear – we are keeping up the faith that the FEI will happen, and we will do so if the situation is declared safe enough. Hopefully it will be a time of celebration in which we can internationally reunite and together find ways to nurture and continue the agro-ecological movement.
So, we are planning the FEI as if it continues, and at the same time we are open minded and flexible for finding alternative ways to continue. Therefore, we are warmly welcoming you to still apply and stay as tuned in as we do. If, in the end we have to cancel, or the fee will change, we will take the responsibility to either reimburse part of or the total costs that you paid.
In the meantime, keep your farmers hearts alive, put your hands in the earth, eat healthy food and stay safe and happy.
Short description: Pluktuin Sayuran is an agroecological self-harvest market garden in Wageningen, The Netherlands. It is located within the beautiful surroundings of Pluktuin de Bosrand on the Wageningse Eng. We produce a diverse range of vegetables, herbs and edible flowers following the principles of agroecology; this means minimalising external inputs, zero agrochemical use, and investing in biodiversity and long term soil fertility. We also sell seedlings and, in time, self-saved seeds. There is also a short video on the website you can check out.
Website: http://pluktuinsayuran.nl/ Contact: pluktuinsayuran@gmail.com Activities on farm: Working in the garden; weeding, planting, and learning about local food production. Name farmer(s): Chris Chancellor Address: Dorskampweg tegenover 15, 6704 PB Wageningen How to get there: The place is most easily accesible by bike or even by foot, but you can also take a bus from the busstation in Wageningen to the ‘Diedenweg’, from there it is a 10 minute walk. Amount of students: 1 Accommodation: no Bike available: no Food: no Comments/What to Bring etc: your own lunch and water, working clothes and shoes
2. Pluktuin de Bosrand
Short description: ‘Pluktuin de Bosrand’ is located next to ‘Pluktuin Sayuran’. It is about 7200 m2 big where a great variety of flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables are growing. There is also a little playground for children and a resting point for cyclists and hikers, that pass by especially during spring and summer. People are welcome to pick their own bouquet of flowers or fresh tea herbs. The place can be hired for little festivities and is also organizing workshops in: arranging flowers, making a hand-tied bouquet, making jam, making smoothies, learning everything about edible flowers or making a delicious herbal tea.
Website: https://pluktuindebosrand.nl/index.php/nl/ Contact: go to the website for sending an email Activities on farm: Garden maintenance: weeding, harvesting, hoeing, spreading compost… Name farmer(s): Petra Lenskens Phone: 06-49958208 Address: Dorskampweg tegenover 15, 6704 PB Wageningen How to get there: The place is most easily accesible by bike or even by foot, but you can also take a bus from the busstation in Wageningen to the ‘Diedenweg’, from there it is a 10 minute walk. Amount of students: 2 Accommodation: no Bike available: no Food: no Comments/What to Bring etc: your own lunch and water, working clothes and shoes
3. De Ommuurde Tuin
Short description: The Ommuurde Tuin is located in the Historic Kitchen Garden of King William the 3rd! Since 1999, the garden became a small organic agricultural business. The enthusiastic farmer Esther tries every year to grow other varieties and she currently has about 450 varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs – traditional, modern and wild species. Some of the veggies and fruit that are grown are: asparagus, lettuce, rhubarb, strawberries, snow pea, beets, carrots, autumn raspberries, sweet corn, savoy cabbage, pumpkins and others, depending on the seasons. Besides this, they are practicing agroecological and permaculture principles in their garden. There is also a yearly course on agroecology in practice, in case you want to dive deeper after the FEI (http://www.ommuurdetuin.nl/course). De Ommuurde Tuin is a CSA with more than 85 veggy bags every week. The garden is working together with the RSO chairgroup to conduct research how to strengthen CSAs and local economies.
Website: http://www.ommuurdetuin.nl/ and English page: http://www.ommuurdetuin.nl/english Contact: info@ommuurdetuin.nl Activities on the farm: weeding, hoeing, irrigation, planting, harvesting, making veggy bags, sowing, help in the farm shop, selling the veggies etc. Namer farmer(s): Esther Kuiler and Elske Hageraats Phone: Elske 06-48663589; Esther 06-12583453 Adress: Kortenburg, Renkum (map) How to get there: biking from Wageningen Amount of students: 2 Accommodation: no. Student can sleep in Wageningen (3km biking) Bike available: no Food: Tea, coffee and cake during breaks is provided, but you have to bring your own lunch (and have dinner at your place in Wageningen) Comments/What to Bring etc: comfortable clothing
4. De Hoge Born
Short description: De Hoge Born is an organic Anthroposofical care farm near Wageningen University. They grow a mix of fruits and vegetables. They furthermore have chickens and a farm shop which is open 6 days a week.
Website: https://dehogeborn.nl/ Contact: info@dehogeborn.nl or tuinbouw@dehogeborn.nl Labels: SKAL Activities on farm: Weeding, harvesting, planting and hoeing Name farmer(s): Gabrielle Habets/ Pieter Tack Phone: 06-47792975 Adress: Bornsesteeg 87, 6708PD Wageningen How to get there: Take the bus from wageningen busstation or trainstation Ede-Wageningen to busstop Campus Atlas. from there it is a 5 Minute walk to the Hoge Born. Amount of students: 2 Accommodation: No (it is in Wageningen) Food: Monday to Thursday soup for lunch Comments/What to Bring etc: working clothes and shoes
5. De Stroom
Short description: Our organic garden De Stroom is located on the Hemmen Estate in the Overbetuwe. In this wooded area we grow a large variety of vegetables on 3 hectares of light clay soil. We work organically, so without fertilizers or pesticides. The crops can grow quietly here into tasty and healthy vegetables. Most of our products find their way to the customer in the form of vegetable packages: the ‘Hemmense vegetable bag’. More than 250 households have a subscription, and receive a bag full of freshly harvested vegetables every week.
Website: https://www.tuinderijdestroom.nl/ Contact: info@tuinderijdestroom.nl Labels: SKAL Activities on farm: helping with allround tasks; hoeing, planting, preparing vegetable bags and weeding. Name farmer(s): Angelien, Welmoet en Linde Phone: 06-49315692 Address: De Lingehof, Hemmensestraat 17, Randwijk How to get there: From the busstation wageningen you can take the bike to the ferry: Lexkesveer, from there you go straight on the Veerweg and take the second to the right to the Hemmensestraat. Amount of students: 1 Accommodation: no Bike available: no Food: lunch will be provided and also coffee and tea. Comments/What to Bring etc: comfortable working clothes and shoes.
6. Food-forest Ketelbroek
Short description: The first Food Forest of the Netherlands! Food forest in Ketelbroek is a place where notions from permaculture and agroforestry are applied for the growing of fruit, vegetables and nuts, in combination with nature. The cultivated area is approximately 2,42 hectares of Food Forest, in combination with a stream, ponds and hedgerows. The farm is located about 12 kilometres south of Nijmegen in a beautiful environment: countryside with some wooded hills and a swamp (both nature reserves) can be seen. Hedges have been planted for aesthetic value, biodiversity and windbreak. Many fruit trees (for instance peach, pawpaw, Japanese plums, kaki), nuts (chestnut, hazel, walnut, earthnut, hickory) and shrubs (as gooseberry, Nanking cherry, Siberian pea tree) do promise good harvests in future times. In between, open spaces are created, both for making ponds and growing our food (sun loving crops as potatoes and pumpkins).
Website: www.facebook.com/foodforestketelbroek https://www.voedselbosbouw.org/ Contact: kenniscentrumvoedselbossen@gmail.com Labels: SKAL Activities on farm: scything, harvesting, observing and monitoring biodiversity Name farmer(s): Wouter van Eck and Pieter Jansen Phone: 06 44768631 (Wouter) Address: Plakseweg, Groesbeek – De Horst (12km south of Nijmegen) How to get there: go to station Nijmegen.Take bus 5 to Groesbeek – De Horst to the final stop (named ‘kerk’). From there it’s a 5 minute walk to the Food Forest. Amount of students: 1 Accommodation: To be discussed – there are some nice camping sites nearby the farm. Bike available: yes Food: to be discussed
7. De Nieuwe Ronde CSA
Short Description: CSA, Pick-It-Yourself Garden, Permaculture. The Nieuwe Ronde consists out of two Pick-It-Yourself gardens in Wageningen, where customers can harvest their own fruit and veggies from the spring to deep in the winter. There is a very big variety of different crops, with different seasons of harvest: strawberries, pumpkins, potatoes, leek…. and many others.
Website: http://denieuweronde.nl/ Mail: info@denieuweronde.nl Labels: SKAL Activities on farm: weeding, hoeing, planting, maintenance Name farmer(s): Pieter Lammerts and Klaas Nijhof Phone: tel. Klaas: 0317 41 38 99 tel. Pieter: 06-30030415 Address: * Oude Diedenweg 108, Wageningen (farmer Klaas) * 1e Honingblokpad, Wageningen (farmer Pieter) How to get there: biking from Wageningen Amount of students: 2 Accommodation: no. (It is located in Wageningen) Bike available: yes Food: Breakfast and dinner at home, Lunch to bring to the farm. Comments/What to Bring etc: lots of energy.
8. De Schapenstreek
Short Description: Sheep farm operating in a natural area. They make cheese, ice-cream and yogurt and also work as a care farm.
Website: http://www.schapenstreek.nl/ Contact: info@schapenstreek.nl Labels: SKAL Activities on farm: taking care of livestock with (Tue-Fri) or without (SaturdayMonday) the clients of the care farm, making cheese (1 to 2 times per week) and ice cream, working in the shop, possibly land maintenance Name farmer(s): Anita and Mark Phone: 06 100 99 44 7 Address: de Gouw 57a, 1614 mb Lutjebroek How to get there: Take the train to Hoogkarspel, then a bus to Kerspelweg. From there it is 1,5 walk but the farmers can also pick you up. Amount of students: 2-3 Accommodation: yes, in house of farmer Food: breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided
9. Veld en Beek
Short Description: Veld en Beek is a biodynamic mixed farm with dairry cows, vegetables, arable land, beef cattle and dairy processing (milk, yoghurt, buttermilk, cream, butter, cheese, fresch chees). They have a very special way of selling their products in a consumer cooperative and have an innovative approach to farming. Also check out this video of FEI participants at the farm!
Website: http://veldenbeek.nl/ Contact: https://www.facebook.com/BoerderijVeldEnBeek Labels: Bio, Demeter Activities on farm: work on the garden, milking, processing of the milk, distribution of the products Name farmer(s): Jan Wieringa Phone: 0621516966 Address: Fonteinallee 33, 6865 ND Doorwerth How to get there: 30 minutes biking from Wageningen Amount of students: 3 Accommodation: no Food: no Comments/What to Bring etc: your own lunch, working clothes and shoes
10. Fruittuin van West
Short description: Fruittuin van West is a dream that came true! In 2014 Wil and Lisan Sturkenboom sold their biodynamic farm in Dronten to start in Amsterdam their dream cooperative. They had the vision to merge a diversity of cooperatives that would bring the city and the rural area together and that would invite the consumer to be in direct contact with a farmers lifestyle. There is a variety of fruit trees on their land that they integrate with animal care and the management of nutrient cycles. People can harvest their own fruits, enjoy a little drink on the terrace or buy products from the farm in the shop which are all certified by the demeter label.
Website: http://fruittuinvanwest.nl/ Contact: info@fruittuinvanwest.nl Labels: SKAL en Demeter Activities on farm: Name farmer(s): Wil and Lisan Sturkenboom Phone: 06 12322396 Address: Tom Schreursweg 48, 1067 MC Amsterdam How to get there: you can take the train: station halfweg – 23 min walking/ to station sloterdijk – 60 min walking, or you can take the bus 80 – 21 min walking. Amount of students: max 2 Accommodation: no Bike available: no Food: to be discussed Comments/What to Bring etc: comfortable clothes and shoes
I’m Louise and since last May I’m the coordinator of the Boerengroep. I come from Belgium (Ghent), where I studied Conflict and Development. I’m interested to learn more about techniques and visions on how to farm within nature and with respect for natural ecosystems instead of against them. I also want to know more about the realities of more sustainable farming practices and the challenges of these systems, and how we can make land and investment capital more accessible for starting farmers. Someday I would like to buy a bit of forest and introduce edible plants in it that enhance biodiversity. This year will be the 2d time I organize and participate in the FEI, and I’m so excited for it. I think it’s going to be a transformative experience, both on a personal, intellectual level as on a social and practical level.
Shumaila
“The way Agroecology looks at the planet; full of potential, strength and beauty, is how I would like to look at life and everything around me. Growing up in a desert I don’t consider myself very eco literate but thankfully that can change. With this Farm Experience Internship we hope to align our head, heart and mind and gain a fresh and more personal insight on food and farming itself. ”
Capucine
Although born and raised in Paris, I have been wanting to be a farmer for a while. Studying organic agriculture in Wageningen, I can finally come a bit closer to this dream.
Since February, I am doing my internship with Boerengroep, which allows to gain practical experience in farms, and to organize the FEI 2020, which is really exciting !
The FEI will provide a cross-disciplinary approach of agriculture. I am convinced that only a global approach (looking at ecological and social issues, economy…) can insure production and food security by optimizing interactions between plants, animals, humans and soils. Heed ecosystems and biodiversity is the only key to resolve the environmental stalemate we are in.
Simone
The FEI seems to be a beautiful playground where science meets with “hands on practice”. How can we connect the experience and ideas of a farmer with those of a researcher? I am excited to see where different disciplines and worldviews can meet and moreover support each other. Ever since i have been studying i was seeking for connection between different disciplines. I have been combining social sciences with organic agriculture, i have gained practical experience in gardening and at the moment i work in a local windmill where i learn a lot about local food production. Since March i am doing an internship at the Boerengroep where i will partly do my own project on (re)connecting people with nature through facilitating a workshop on embodied practices in a community garden close to Wageningen. My wish is to also include some of these practices in the FEI – so we are able to involve all our senses when working in a garden or studying in a classroom, or vice versa.
Yanina
I have been involved with WUR (and its sustainability) for already more than seven years throughout my study here. As much as I have been involved in sustainability of education at WUR through my activism, and in agriculture through my studies, I believe there is little more valuable than experiencing the essence of what agroecology means through head, heart and hands simultaneously. I believe education goes way further than learning by knowing and that is what drives me to help to co-create this year’s FEI. In the current conditions (corona) I believe it continues being extremely important to find ways to strengthen the agroecology movement and to involve, inspire and empower participants to find their own roles. I am really excited to make this course happen in whichever way possible!
RSO-51303 Farm Experience Internship Academic Year 2019-2020
Contact person Name: Henk Oostindie
E-mail: Henk.oostindie@wur.nl
Introduction to the Farm Experience Internship
In the Netherlands, and Europe in general, policy advice and research is often disconnected from the reality of farmers, gardeners and peasants. On the one hand the knowledge of farmers is not valorised, on the other hand the knowledge produced at educational institutes is often too abstract, creating gaps between farmers’ needs and research. Within Wageningen University, many students of agriculture related topics have no experience with farms or farming and are not aware what is happening in the field. Students, destined for a future career as researcher, policy maker, entrepreneur or farmer will benefit from a more qualified professional education if they understand and experience the daily reality of a farm.
The Farm Experience Internship is set up by Stichting Boerengroep and offers participants an opportunity to put new farming, research methods, and approaches into practice. How can we truly work in an interdisciplinary way? How to work most effectively in groups with participatory approaches and in collective cooperation? These are two of the many challenging questions that will be addressed. The ultimate goal of the internship is to offer students the opportunity to experience the daily reality of farming, challenge their theoretical knowledge and stimulate the development of critical and creative thinking.
Capita Selecta opportunity with Wageningen University (RSO-51303)
The Rural Sociology group gives the opportunity to expand the FEI and turn it into a Capita Selecta course of 3 ECTs for students of the Wageningen University. In order to do so, students do a small additional research and reflect on the research in a written report. ➢ Only WUR students in their master track are eligible to turn the FEI into a Capita Selecta course as the student needs to have a certain background in knowledge to be able to write the final report. Learning outcomes
After completing the Capita Selecta, students are expected to:
– Experience the daily reality of farming, challenge their theoretical knowledge and stimulate the development of critical and creative thinking.
– Understand the notion of applied research
– Reflect in a written report on Agroecology
Written report
To obtain the credits for the Capital Selecta, students do a small research and write a report on of the four themes explained below:
– Option 1 : Agroecology as a science, practice and movement. Students formulate and discuss an opinion and view on agroecology. Students can critically reflect on the gained knowledge and skills and actively use this during discussions and debates, e.g. regarding the need that we must combine knowledge of peasant agriculture, ancestral knowledge and scientific research in order to co-create innovative farming practices.
– Option 2 : Agroecology as a way of life. Reflect on the farming reality and farmers concepts. Understand the concept of reality regarding research vs. farmers and try to meet these realities to cooperate together. Is farming a job, a way of life, or maybe a mixture of both?
– Option 3 : Understand and reflect on the different ‘components’ of agroecology. Compare for example food sovereignty, peasant farming (‘boerenlandbouw’) versus industrial farming (‘ondernemerslandbouw’), the soil, access to land, the importance of biodiversity (especially also in seeds), local markets / income issues of farmers, gender issues in agriculture etc., and apply this knowledge in the analysis of your farm.
– Option 4 : Understand the notion of applied research. How does applied research supports individual farms or a certain farming sector. Reflect on the knowledge and skills gained regarding research methodologies and the analysis of farming systems.
Steps to take
1. After indicating their interest in the Capita Selecta, students choose a theme as the focus of their research.
2. In the first week, students develop a short research plan (no longer than 1 page) that include the choice for the theme and a small set of interview questions to guide their research. Students sent this plan to Henk Oostindie by the end of the first week for feedback.
3. Students participate in all the events of the FEI
4. After the FEI, students write their report. The finished report is sent to Henk Oostindie for grading. The final deadline for handing in the report is 1 October. Structure of the report
Length report: approximately 2500-3000 words
Introduction (about 500 words)
• Give a general description of the option you choose for your report and relate that option to the context of the agroecology in the Netherlands. • Define your objectives of this report
Approach/Methodology (about 300 words)
• Describe the methods you used to achieve your objectives
• Include a description of your interview questions
Results (depending on the chosen option) (about 1200 words)
• Option 1: Agroecology as a science, practice and movement
Critically reflect on the gained knowledge and skills achieved during the FEI on agroecology.
Reflect on the need to combine knowledge of peasant agriculture, ancestral knowledge and scientific research in order to co-create innovative farming practices.
• Option 2. Agroecology as a way of life.
Reflect on the farming reality and farmers concepts of your internship.
Reflect on the reality of researchers vs. farmers and the potential for these two
worlds to cooperate.
• Option 3. Understand and reflect on the different ‘components’ of agroecology
Analyse the farm in terms of issues related to soil, access to land, the importance of
biodiversity (especially also in seeds), local markets / income issues of farmers,
gender issues in agriculture,etc
Contrast and compare this analysis to for example food sovereignty, peasant farming
(‘boerenlandbouw’) versus industrial farming (‘ondernemerslandbouw’)
• Option 4. Understand the notion of applied research
Reflect on how applied research supports individual farms or a certain farming
sector.
Reflect on the knowledge and skills gained regarding research methodologies and
the analysis of farming systems.
Conclusion (about 500 words) • Refer to your objectives of the introduction and the overall findings of your resulst
Reflection on the FEI (about 200 words)
• What were your personal learning experiences?
• What knowledge did you gain?
Below you can find a rough draft of the schedule for the FEI 2019. We have still a few places left so if you want to join, apply ASAP by clicking the link
The FEI 2019 is a full time course and will take place from 22nd July – 16th August
PART I: lectures, workshops and excursions
PART II: Internship at a farm or garden (somewhere in NL)
PART III: Reflection / linking theory and practice
Costs: €100,-This fee includes organic lunch, snacks, drinks, workshops, excursions and lectures during the preparatory and evaluation phase (week 1 + week 4). Your stay at the farm is for free, but it would be appreciated if you give a present and/or financial compensation to the farmer.
More information will become available soon. After the deadline, your registration will be confirmed and you’ll hear if you are accepted. Participants will then also be informed with more information regarding the FEI.
From 23rd – 27th of July Boerengroep organised a very successful Farm Experience Week, which is the first part of the Farm Experience Internship (FEI). Twenty-four participants, from eleven different nationalities, have completed a full week of workshops and excursions focused on agroecology as a science, a movement and a practice. This large diversity in nationalities and backgrounds offers a unique opportunity to learn from each other and to get into dialogues on sustainable ways of food production. Most of the participants are currently continuing their learning process by working alongside a farmer in a farm or garden somewhere in the Netherlands. The 5th of October all participants will meet once more to share their experiences and reflect on the theory and their learning processes.
The FEI is a movement co-created by peasants, farmers, gardeners, scientists, students, activists, NGOs and agroecological companies – working together towards a sustainable, healthy, viable food system that is fair and just for the earth, the consumer and the producer. This edition marks the 6th edition of the FEI at the Wageningen University and we are very pleased to see the FEI movement growing with every edition.
Students of Wageningen University can expand the FEI and turn it into a Capita Selecta course with The Rurual Sociology Group. The group offers this option because it acknowledges the added value for students to be part of the FEI. As students, destined for a future career as researcher, policy maker, entrepreneur or farmer will benefit from a more qualified professional education if they understand and experience the daily reality of a farm.
During the mornings of this years’ Farm Experience Week the participants took part in interactive workshops guided by experts from the field and from research; WUR, Louis Bolk Institute, Biovitalis, Van Akker Naar Bos, Cultivate! and Boeren in het Bos. In the afternoons the group went on excursions to farms, gardens and fields, allowing the participants to bring their knowledge to the field and to learn more about ‘agroecology in practice’. The following places were part of this years program; Nieuwe Ronde, Ommuurde Tuin, Ketelbroek foodforest, Veld en Beek, Anna’s Tuin en ruigte and a research plot of Stichting Heideboerderijen.
Besides co-organising the program of the FEI, the FEI receives financial sponsorship and sponsorship in kind from many of the co-creators. Sponsorship in kind ranges from offering a free tour at a farm, or giving a guest lecture for free to contributing by giving products such as vegetables or seeds. This character of jointly wearing makes it possible to keep the participation fee low and thereby accessible for every student.
While working towards better food systems, the joy of sharing a nice meal in the middle of the day can not be left out. This year the local caterer ‘Vreemde Streken’ turned the sponsored food products every day into another delicious meal showing what is possible with local products and limited budget.
The FEI is a growing movement, that is being co-created by peasants, farmers, gardeners, scientists, students, activists, NGOs and agroecological companies – working together towards a sustainable, healthy, viable food system that is fair and just for the earth, the consumer and the producer. Together, we co-organize a 3 ECTS international summer course at the Wageningen University every year (since 2013), which intends to bring together theoretical knowledge from students with practical skills and knowledge from farmers. Are you interested in growing your own food, discovering local knowledge and practices on organic farms and gardens in the Netherlands? Do you want to learn about agroecology, food sovereignty and sustainable food systems? Or would you like to interact and discuss with farmers to find creative, innovative ways of farming? Then don’t wait any longer and join the FEI!
SET UP OF THE COURSE
1. PREPARATION [2018 is all about this!] – Lectures, workshops, excursions.
During the first phase of the FEI, you will get to know about all kinds of topics related to agriculture, e.g. agroecology, sustainable food systems, food sovereignty, seed patents etc. We share knowledge, eat together and have a good time. The preparation week will be held at The Building with the Clock (Generaal Foulkesweg 37, Wageningen) and the schedule is full day.
2. LET’S GO FARMING! [2018 we support you to start farming!]
–Practical experience on a Dutch farm.
After the preparation week, each student is sent to a different farm somewhere in the Netherlands. Before the start of the FEI, you can tell us your preference, e.g. food forest, goat farm, organic garden etc. For two weeks you will be full time working together with the farmer, following his/her working rhythm, learning practical skills and local knowledge. Students are asked to make pictures or a short video about their stay at the farm, which they will present later on. The participating farms are mostly organic, however some are currently still seeking for a more sustainable management practices (which is very interesting for you as a student: can you find ways to support the farmer?).
3. EVALUATION [2018 we will have one reflection day in September]
–Present your pictures, share your experience
After two weeks harvesting, weeding, feeding cows, goats, or making cheese, students will come back to Wageningen for the evaluation phase. Share experience, discuss what you’ve learned and create the one and only FEI Story Book!
CREDITS or CERTIFICATE. Wageningen University is supporting the FEI through the chairgroup Rural Sociology (RSO). Via this chairgroup, WUR students can obtain 3 ECTS after completing the Farm Experience Internship and after handing in the evaluation report. For non-WUR students, a certificate is handed out by the RSO group. Note that you can only receive credits when you are enrolled at the Wageningen University.
ACCOMMODATION. During the Preparation and Evaluation phase, you will have to arrange your own accommodation. The FEI team recommends participants to first try to arrange a place to stay themselves via couchsurfing (free hosts). Later we will send a mail in advance to all participants so we can arrange hosts for those participants who do not live in Wageningen and have not find a host yet.
COSTS. The Costs for the FEI are only €40, since we think it is important to offer this knowledge to everyone interested in sustainable food production. This fee includes organic lunch, snacks, drinks and also workshops, excursions and lectures during the week. Your stay at a farm is for free, but it would be appreciated if you give a present and/or financial compensation to the farmer. (note: not all farmers are able to host you – check the farmers list for details).
INSURANCE. Participants of the FEI who are not enrolled as WUR students have to arrange their own insurance during the FEI. Both Wageningen University and St.Boerengroep are not responsible and will not provide an insurance to FEI participants. By enrolling for the FEI, particpants agreed to have arranged their own insurance.
PARTICIPANTS. The FEI mainly aims at university students in order to connect them (and thereby the University) to farmers. However, non-students with an interest in sustainable agriculture are most welcome as well! Do you have any questions or are you interested in organizing a FEI? Send a mail to farmexperienceinternship@gmail.com
I’m Louise and since last May I’m the coordinator of the Boerengroep. I come from Belgium (Ghent), where I studied Conflict and Development. I’m interested to learn more about techniques and visions on how to farm within nature and with respect for natural ecosystems instead of against them. I also want to know more about the realities of more sustainable farming practices and the challenges of these systems, and how we can make land and investment capital more accessible for starting farmers. Someday I would like to buy a bit of forest and introduce edible plants in it that enhance biodiversity. This year will be the 2d time I organize and participate in the FEI, and I’m so excited for it. I think it’s going to be a transformative experience, both on a personal, intellectual level as on a social and practical level.
“The way Agroecology looks at the planet; full of potential, strength and beauty, is how I would like to look at life and everything around me. Growing up in a desert I don’t consider myself very eco literate but thankfully that can change. With this Farm Experience Internship we hope to align our head, heart and mind and gain a fresh and more personal insight on food and farming itself. ”
Although born and raised in Paris, I have been wanting to be a farmer for a while. Studying organic agriculture in Wageningen, I can finally come a bit closer to this dream.
practice”. How can we connect the experience and ideas of a farmer with those of a researcher? I am excited to see where different disciplines and worldviews can meet and moreover support each other. Ever since i have been studying i was seeking for connection between different disciplines. I have been combining social sciences with organic agriculture, i have gained practical experience in gardening and at the moment i work in a local windmill where i learn a lot about local food production. Since March i am doing an internship at the Boerengroep where i will partly do my own project on (re)connecting people with nature through facilitating a workshop on embodied practices in a community garden close to Wageningen. My wish is to also include some of these practices in the FEI – so we are able to involve all our senses when working in a garden or studying in a classroom, or vice versa.
Farm Experience Internship 