A learning contract should contain the following elements:
- Names of mentor and intern
- Specific learning objectives
- Time frame or evaluation schedule: when and how often the mentor and intern will meet to discuss the intern’s progress and possibly revise the contract.
- Evidence of learning: how the intern will show his or her learning, e.g., demonstrate a skill, write a report, keep a journal.
- Evaluation criteria: how learning will be measured, e.g., knowledge-based criteria such as comprehensiveness, depth, clarity or usefulness; skill-based criteria such as precision, speed, comfort; and who will evaluate the learning. Self-evaluation by the intern is perfectly appropriate.
- Signatures of mentor and intern with date
Learning Contract #
Intern Name: ________________________________
Farm: ________________________________
Farmer/mentor: ________________________________
Season: 20____ from March to November.
Evaluations: Mid-season check-in in July; final check-in in November.
Learning goals agreed upon: #
Apprentice and farmer/mentor can fill out this section together. Text below offers examples of learning goals.
- Tractor operation/maintenance
- Seed saving techniques and practice
- Planning for soil improvements through cover crops
- Crop rotation planning
- Planning for sowing and planting
- Plant/weed identification and possible uses i.e. medicinal or functional/useful
- Insect ID, and beneficial/detrimental qualities/how to attract?
- Compost and fertilizer application
- Carpentry/construction projects
- Herb uses and processing
- Plant disease identification and remedy
- Food preservation – drying, freezing, canning, cold storage
- Tours of other farms
- Well + irrigation maintenance
Evaluations #
Farmer will offer apprentice evaluations after about 30 days of work, at the end of the season, and as requested, schedule allowing. Please offer feedback to the farmer, too, at these meetings.
Signed:
Apprentice / Date
Farmer / Date