Become an Intern

You're interested in getting your hands in the dirt, your butt in the tractor (or saddle), and your head into that of a successful farmer. Your goal is to start a farm operation within about five years, and you intend to farm sustainably here in Manitoba. You're looking for a short or long term on-farm internship and are willing to exchange labour for a hands-on learning experience.

Interns who intend to live and volunteer full-time on a mentor farm for at least two months are eligible to receive a grant through the New Farmer Challenge!

If you do not live and intend to farm on the Canadian prairies, we recommend looking into SOIL, WWOOF, and a detailed listing of other internship opportunities.

Past Interns | Apply to be an Intern | Mentor Profiles | Intern Responsibilities | Resources

Past Interns

Our program has doubled every year since it began in 2009, and in just three summers, we have facilitated 16 internships! Here's what our interns have told us about their experience:

"After this summer I feel much more confident in my ability to start a small farm business. I have built skills, have more realistic expectations of what I’m getting into and made good connections within the local food/sustainable farming community in Manitoba."

"I really appreciate all the work that goes into this. I cannot thank everyone involved enough for the opportunity to intern on a farm this past season."

"I felt supported the whole time in making the transition from city to farm, and then back again after the summer was over."

"This internship has further enabled me to feel confident in my abilities and given me new knowledge and skills to make my dream farm even more successful."

Apply to be an Intern

Manitoba Farm Mentorship connects you with some of the most ground-breaking and successful sustainable farmers in this province. While arranging the internship is up to you, we provide you with detailed mentor profiles, resources, networking opportunities, and ongoing support to facilitate a successful and rewarding experience!

To apply to be an intern, follow these steps:

1. Review the Mentor Profiles, Intern Responsibilities, and Resources for Interns to see if our program is a good fit for you.

2. Complete the online Intern Application Form. Answer questions about your farming intentions to the best of your ability; we expect that your plans and dreams may change from day to day.

3. Submit your $30.00 application fee. Once payment is received, you will gain access to our detailed mentor profiles. After reviewing the mentor profiles, you may begin contacting mentors and making arrangements for your internship.

Got a question? Please contact our Training Coordinator by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 204.772.3790.

Mentor Profiles

Check out our 2012 mentors - we think they're pretty great!

If one or more of our mentors interest you, we trust you to apply to be an intern through our program. Completing our application process shows respect for our mentors who spent valuable time compiling their detailed profiles. It also allows us to continue offering this unique program, and supports sustainable agriculture in Manitoba. If you have concerns about the application fee, please contact us.

Intern Responsibilities

We are here to facilitate a good match between you and your mentor farmer, and you can contact us at any point for resources, questions, and advice. However, you are ultimately responsibility for the quality of your internship. This includes upholding your end of the agreement between you and your mentor.

Take the time to discuss and agree on a fair exchange of knowledge, skills, time, and energy between you and your mentor(s). The resources below are intended to help you plan and negotiate a rewarding experience. Mentors and interns may also be requested to complete mid-season and/or end-of-season evaluations.