Internship Program
Goals ~ How They Learn ~ Intern Curriculum (Word) ~ Intern Curriculum (pdf)
What They Receive ~ Intern Assistantships ~ Daily Schedule ~
How to Apply
Intern Application (Word) ~ Intern Application (pdf)
WHRI trains individuals who feel called to service in developing countries and wish to acquire skills in sustainable farming, community development and Christian missions. Interns work and study for one year on our 40-acre farm in central Texas, followed by an optional three-month experience in a developing country.
Goals of Our Internship Program
- Develop skills in sustainable agricultural production and problem-solving
- Learn approaches to community development, cross-cultural communication, and adult education
- Develop a holistic approach to Christian missions
- Understand the socio-political contexts of world hunger and identify appropriate Christian responses
- Become familiar with food technology, nutrition and health issues
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How Interns Learn
The WHRI farm produces organic vegetables, milk, eggs, meat, and organic pecans for sale in the local market. Interns are, therefore, involved in all aspects of running a working farm (planning, production, research, marketing, etc.) We try as much as possible to utilize production techniques appropriate to developing-world settings. These include composting, cover cropping, biointensive integrated pest management, drip irrigation, multi-species rotational grazing, pastured poultry, etc.
In addition to farm work, interns are involved in leading school tours, teaching classes, and speaking to church and community groups. Those interns who choose to participate in the optional 3-month international internship will be encouraged to raise support through fund-raising activities. Interns may also choose to learn skills in animal traction through a one-month exchange agreement with Tillers International in Kalamazoo, MI. All these experiences are integral to the learning of the intern.
To supplement their practical learning, interns attend classroom lessons two afternoons per week. Curriculum for these lessons covers a broad range of topics, but centers on sustainable agriculture and Christian missions. Field trips are also organized to other farms, and interns are encouraged to attend short courses at other facilities in Texas and beyond. Click here to review the intern curriculum (Word format) or intern curriculum (pdf format) or our current class schedule.
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What They Receive
WHRI provides interns with housing, utilities and staple foods. We try as much as possible to consume food produced on the farm including vegetables, fruit, grains, legumes, meat, eggs, milk, cheese & yogurt. Since some of this production is seasonal, it is supplemented by purchased staples. Non-staple foods may be purchased at the intern’s expense. We are located around 1 mile from a grocery store and post office and approximately 7 miles from downtown Waco. We provide interns with bicycles and encourage them whenever possible to carpool with other personnel at the farm.
In keeping with our emphasis on sustainable living, intern housing is simple but adequate. Our dormitory houses up to a dozen single interns and volunteers. In addition, we have limited housing for families. The dorm has a communal kitchen, and residents work together to keep the facility clean and healthful.
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Intern Assistantships
Intern Assistantships are available on a competitive, rotating basis for those individuals who wish to earn income beyond room and board. Assistantships provide a modest stipend ($300/month) plus basic health insurance. Intern assistants are assigned management responsibilities and work hours in one of our income-generating enterprises:
- Fresh-market vegetable production
- Livestock
- Pecan orchard
- Village store
- Local education
Individuals with outside sponsorship, or adequate personal means, may wish to forgo assistantship responsibilities (and remuneration) in order to allow more time for independent study and projects that prepare more specifically them for their future assignment.
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Daily Schedule
| 6:00 am | Milking (rotates between interns) |
| 7:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:00 am | Devotions and meeting for work assignments |
| 8:30 am | Daily Farm Work (weeding, planting, cleaning, etc.) |
| 1:00 pm | Lunch |
| 2:00 pm | Classroom Lessons (T, Th) or Work on Assistantship responsibilities (M, W, F) |
| 5:00 pm | Milking (rotates between interns) |
How to Apply
Please send inquiries to:
World Hunger Relief, Inc, P.O. Box 639, Elm Mott, Texas 76640
or WHRIeducation@hot.rr.com
Print the Intern Application (Word format) or Intern Application (pdf format) and mail to the above address or fax to 254-799-5611.