Follow a Trainee Experience From Day One!

CAEP's Inside Scoop has added a new page Day in the Life of a New Trainee. Follow Maija as she starts her first equine internship in the USA. Just click on the Day in the Life tab above, and check back often to see what is it really like on a placement!

Education Motivates Trainee

Interview with Horticulture Trainee Ronel LeFranc Ronel LeFranc felt fortunate to attend elementary school– an opportunity not available to many children in rural Haiti. He inherited the value his family put on education, and not only saw it as the key to success, but as a way to give back to his community.

Ronel LeFranc Overcoming adversity was a common thread in Ronel’s life– from losing his father at age ten (and much of the family’s financial support) , to a four hour bus ride to attend high school. Lack of basic necessities, like food, did not deter Ronel from working hard, obtaining scholarships, and ultimately attending Haiti’s top university with the assistance of the Haitian Education and Leadership Program (HELP). Then, on January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake rocked Haiti. Ronel lost many friends. Homes and buildings across the country were reduced to rubble, including the university Ronel LeFranc attended. Rising from the crisis, Ronel eventually saw the opportunity to “put our hands together to provide another direction and a better future to the country.” Ronel volunteered to work with U.S. President Bill Clinton’s special envoy program “Voice of the Voiceless.” He traveled to evacuation camps and interviewed underprivileged Haitians on their grievances and perspectives for reconstruction of the country. The program efforts helped financial relief efforts, especially towards a social class that is often overlooked in discussions related to improving the country. Ronel’s stellar academic achievements and volunteer efforts caught the attention of Project HELP once again, and he was offered an opportunity to attend Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, USA. Volunteering at Dartmouth’s organic farm, Ronel was exposed to modern techniques of organic farming. With the assistance of Dartmouth College and Project Help, Ronel applied and was awarded a scholarship by the Communicating for Agriculture Education and Scholarship Foundation for his outstanding achievement and goals. He is currently placed on a CAEP horticulture internship at Cedar Circle Farm near Dartmouth. You can watch a video of Ronel’s experience at Cedar Circle farm by clicking HERE, or go to www.caep.org/videos?&videogalleryid=4“My biggest dream is to have my own organization working on solving agricultural and environmental issues in Haiti,” said Ronel. “I would like to get as much knowledge as possible in these fields...work hard, and be an example for my little brothers and children from low income families to encourage them to take their education seriously because it is the key to success.”

Hosts Tell the CAEP Story

Submitted by Host David Nagengast Director of Winemaking Scheid Vineyards “At Scheid Vineyards we are a large, faced paced Winery, in a relatively remote area in the Salinas Valley. Finding enthusiastic Interns for Harvest season from the local University pool is a challenge for us. With CAEP we have been getting very enthusiastic, educated and smart, hard working individuals, that have worked out extremely well for us. The logistics of getting screened and qualified interns from overseas to us, with a work visa in hand, and ready to work through the season is completely facilitated through CAEP making our effort minimal. With Skype we are able to even have a face to face interview prior to accepting the applicant. We couldn't be happier with the results we get in Interns of the highest caliber with most of the effort handled by CAEP. It is a organization we hope to continue to use in the future. If you have a testimonial you would like to submit, please send it to info@caep.org. Videos can easily be uploaded through your on-line community page. Thank you for helping to spread the good word about CAEP programs!

We Don't Mean to Brag...

Submitted by CAEP staff
www.caep.org launches new testimonial page to pass along some comments received by trainees and hosts. Here are a few of the comments:

CAEP program is excellent preparation for life for people like me who just completed university and are starting their career.

Juraj, Enology trainee from Slovakia


My program was in agriculture and livestock through CAEP. It was a very rewarding experience. Thank you CAEP for giving me the opportunity to see different cultures and business methods that can be applied to our home country.
Santiage, Agriculture trainee from Uruguay

When I was in Brazil I was living far from my parents. I learned a lot, I did everything alone. But my experience here was very amazing. I learned a lot about my area, how to live in other country, travel, to look for other sides of problems, to think different ways, help more each other, and respect people more. So, for sure this was the main experience of my life.

Rafael, Horticulture Trainee from Brazil

We consider CAEP a very important partner not just in finding suitable candidates from international sources, but also in processing all internal international leads from former interns, trainees and other industry contacts.  We direct all foreign inquiries to the Enology Coordinator at CAEP to begin the application process and to systematically secure the needed paperwork and arrangements for this very important part of our harvest planning.  The result has been a very rewarding experience for many harvest seasons.

Jamie, Enology Host

With CAEP, there is always somebody to help you if you needed. That's very important when you are on your own so far away from home. And very nice people too!

Guillaume, Horticulture Trainee from France

CAEP provided a great opportunity for me… my coordinator was always there for me for any help I needed.

Ajay, Turf Management Trainee from India

The logistics of getting screened and qualified interns from overseas to us, with a work visa in hand, and ready to work through the season is completely facilitated through CAEP making our effort minimal.  With Skype we are able to even have a face to face interview prior to accepting the applicant.  We couldn't be happier with the results we get in Interns of the highest caliber with most of the effort handled by CAEP. 

David, Enology Host

I can say just that I'm very happy that I participate in this program. This was one of the best experience from my life. I met here great people and I'm very lucky that they are my friends.
Vera, Horticulture Trainee from Moldova

Fernando's work ethic and desire to succeed far exceeded my expectations. He is extremely responsible and professional. Thank you for this wonderful program. We feel it is a win/win situation!

Renee, Equine Host

The CAEP is an opportunity to get great training, learn more about different cultures, find new friends, strengthen communication skills, improve English and improve one's employment opportunities in your home country. As a CAEP trainee, you can learn about the farming or business techniques used in different countries. I like CAEP and I'll recommend CAEP to my friends.
Ievgen, Horticulture trainee from Ukraine

I had an opportunity to learn many things, improve my English and develop my skills in the agronomy field.
Marcella, Horticulture Trainee from Brazil

CAEP is a great opportunity, well-structured and extremely helpful staff.

Eoin, Equine Trainee from Ireland

I learned to work on the field at Tractors 9200 JD, 8630 JD and 4440 JD, drive trucks,
snowmobiles, also raise spring wheat, malting barley, oil sunflowers. Thanks a lot CAEP. It was great practice; I gained a lot of knowledge with a great organization.
Artem, Agriculture trainee from Ukraine

Bright Future for CAEP Website

Submitted by CAEP Staff

What used to be dark, and is now filled with bright organic colors? It’s CAEP’s newly designed website! Not only has the color palette changed to be more complimentary to agricultural internships, the new site is packed with features. The sites: www.caep.org (USA), www.australia.caep.org, www.canada.caep.org, and www.newzealand.caep.org launched on July 1, 2011. Since then we have been launching CAEP Office sites in 15 other international locations. Among the new features: A member log-in on the home page and every primary page; Hot Opportunities sections to highlight urgent placement needs; Prominent descriptions of Host businesses on the banner picture; Clear navigation to placement countries; links to all CAEP office websites around the world; A TV channel and more. In the coming months we will be posting more features and translations for all sites. If you have comments or suggestions on the new website, please contact Director of Marketing, Darla Ellingson at darla@caep.org

Welcome to CAEP's new blog!

Thanks for joining us on CAEP's new blog. For more than a quarter century, Communicating for Agriculture Education Programs has carried out the vision of giving young adults an opportunity to experience the world through agricultural exchange, and provide an opportunity for rural families to be touched by other cultures, cultivating lifelong friendships.Host businesses benefit from working with motivated and qualified trainees at an affordable rate.