Future Farmers Foundation is a small
dedicated foundation that provides
platforms from which young men
and women in
agriculture and farming in general
can become successful commercial
farm managers or farmers in their
own right. We have initiated an
apprenticeship system that places
learners on farms where they gain
experience, starting from the bottom
and learning a large variety of
skills from the most menial tasks to
tractor driving, operating milking
machines, control of irrigation
systems, dairy herd management and
leadership skills. Starting on the
lowest wage, these apprentices work
their way up as their skills and
abilities improve. The apprentices
are evaluated by their employers and
by an independent labour specialist.
After a year or two of
practical experience, the
apprentices who excel in
their work may be selected
to do a years’ internship
overseas. In Europe,
Australia and the USA, the
apprentices are exposed to
very high working standards
and very different cultures.
They learn more about the
world they live in and
understand what makes a top
farming operation
successful. They are exposed
to a work ethic that is both
new and of great value to
them. They learn new and
valuable skills which can
set these young people up
for success and enable them
to be leaders in their
communities.
The program is a very
carefully co-ordinated
programme which is designed
to deliver skills to young
people from other countries
(with students so far being
mentored in Germany, the USA
and Australia). The concept
is for them to learn
advanced skills, during the
course of a year, and take
them back to their home
countries to the benefit of
the communities that they
represent. This fits
perfectly into the whole
ethic of the Future Farmer
Project as we want the boys
and girls to experience a new country,
be exposed to other cultures
and ways of life, and of
course to learn farming
skills and the outstanding
work ethic that is part of each
countries’ farming
community.
To meet the demands of the
students, we are looking for
farmers to take on our
apprentices, and would
welcome any
enquiries.
“... It is up to the
apprentices and interns to
make the most of the
opportunities offered to
them and make their way to
the top; this can be
accomplished based on
integrity, attitude and
ability.“
Judy
Stuart on her book Your
Future Our Future
(the
book is available for R150)
The requirements for
joining the Program
• |
Candidates must meet
the following
criteria in order to
qualify for Future
farmers Membership |
• |
They should be
between 18-26 years
of age |
• |
They should be
passionate about
farming |
• |
They should have a
responsible attitude
towards work |
• |
They should not be
married nor have
children |
• |
They should not
smoke, drink alcohol
or use recreational
drugs |
• |
They should not have
a criminal record |
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Langwabo working in the dairy |
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