Agriculture Work & Study in USA

University Programme

This is a one-semester (15-week) programme. To be eligible for this option, you must have completed a minimum of 2 years’ higher education. You can choose to do your programme on either the Saint Paul Campus or the Crookston Campus. All participants will be considered Visiting Students with "special status".

Saint Paul Campus

You can select from a variety of courses offered in the following departments: Agricultural, Food and Environmental Education, Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Animal Science, Applied Economics, Bio systems and Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Environmental Science, Food science and Nutrition, Horticultural Science, Plant Pathology, Soil, Water and Climate

Crookston Campus

You may choose a course from the following departments: Accounting, Food Science and Nutrition, Literature, Psychology, Agricultural Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Sociology, Animal Science, History, Mechanized Agriculture, Soil Science, Biology, Horticulture, Marketing, Spanish, Chemistry, Hotel Management, Philosophy, Speech, Economics, Humanities, Physics, Equine Science, Information Networking, Political Science

Short Course Programme

The short programme is offered in the summer months during the practical experience. Housing and travel to and from the Short Course programme is the responsibility of the individual trainee and is not included in the fees.

Artificial Insemination

This programme will include a 40-hour practical artificial insemination course certified by the National Association of Animal Breeders. This course will be held for one week during the practical training programme. Your host trainers will provide this time off without pay.

Minnesota Agro-Growth Council Study Tour

Each year, this study tour focuses on a different geographical area of the state of Minnesota. Through tours and lectures, participants will learn about the area’s agricultural and food production, processing and manufacturing, and the culture and economy of that region. Your host trainers will provide this time off without pay.

Horticultural Short Course

Trainees attend the Ohio Florists’ Association Short Course in Columbus, Ohio. This four-day event offers hundreds of seminars about garden centres and growers, interior plantscape and outdoor landscape, retail management and marketing, and the environment and pesticides.

Limitations

Trainees are limited to a total of 18 months of participation in the Agricultural Exchange USA programme, but there is no guarantee that you will stay the entire 18 months. Since the length of the programme is based on individual training plans, placement lengths can vary from 4 to 12 months during the First Practical Training programme. See the examples below:

Typical Day

You should be prepared to work 40-70 hours per week. Some training sites have fixed work schedules and trainees work 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. On other training sites, trainees work 10 hours per day, 6 days per week. Also, a short growing season and unpredictable weather often mean trainees work long hours during peak periods (planting or harvesting, for instance). During these times, it is not uncommon to work 12-14 hours per day, 7 days a week.

You will receive a minimum of one day off each week during training. Time off may be one day per week or two days every other week (arranged between you and the host trainer). You may have to make exceptions during peak periods, as you will be expected to be flexible about arranging your time off.

All trainees will receive two days of vacation for each month of training. Vacations should be taken during the practical training period. Timing of the vacation must be approved by the host trainer and may not be taken during peak work periods. In addition, you will have a 30-day grace period following your programme to travel and prepare for departure from the U.S.

Do not hesitate to contact our staff should you have any questions.