Manzana Springs Vegetable Farm
Intern Program Learning Objectives

This is an example of what a full season intern would expect to learn about at Manzana Springs.  Each main topic has an overall learning objective and several areas where an intern will gain practical experience. 

• Garden Planning: How to plan what crops to grow, when to grow them, how much to grow and what supplies and equipment you will need.
• Inventory of seed, supplies and equipment
• Planning how much of each crop to grow
• Ordering seed, supplies and equipment
• Planning a planting calendar
• Planning where to plant considering crop rotation

• Seedling Starting and Propagation: How and when to grow seedlings for transplanting.
• Soil mix
• Trays and soil blocks 
• Seeding
• Light, temperature, humidity and watering.
• Spotting and thinning
• Hardening off

• Soil Fertility: How to build and manage productive soil.
• Soil characteristics
• Soil tests
• Amendments
• Purchased fertilizers
• Compost
• Manures
• Cover cropping
• Properties of specific cover crops
• Planting and watering methods
• Creating a crop rotation
• Timing and over wintering
• Dealing with soil problems

• Transplanting, direct seeding and crop maintenance: For each crop, what is the best way to plant (direct seed or transplant) and what does each need for proper maintenance?
• Direct seeding methods using seeding tools and hand seeding.
• Transplanting
• Timing
• Depth
• Root ball
• Picking out seedlings
• Maintaining crops
• Trelising
• Row covers
• Landscaping fabric
• Irrigation

• Weed Control: How to weed effectively and efficiently and how to prevent weed seeds from entering the farm.
• Timing and methods of cultivation.
• Tillage
• Cover cropping
• Landscaping fabric
• Irrigation
• How to avoid importing weed seeds

• Pest/Disease Management: How do you solve the problems that arise and minimize damage and loss from pests and disease?
• Deer
• Small mammals
• Insects
  • Aphids
  • Squash bugs
  • Flea beetle
  • Grasshopper
  • Stink bug
  • Thrips
  • Loopers
  • Ants
• Nematodes
• Fungus/Mold
  • Powdery mildew
  • Damping off
• Disease
  • Western yellow blight (curly top)
  • Squash and cucumber mosaic virus
  • Anthracnose
• Season Extension: Why is season extension an important element of many small farms and what are some methods for doing it successfully? 
• Hoophouses
• Cold frames
• Greenhouse/seedling production
• Row covers/wall-o-waters
• Shade cloth/summer extension
• Overwintering/mulching

• Harvest and Post Harvest Handling: For each crop what is the best method and timing for harvest and what does it require for successful post harvest handling?
• Harvesting methods
• Washing and soaking
• Temperature and moisture considerations for storage
• Curing
• Bagging and packaging

• Marketing:  How to successfully present, promote and sell your produce.
• Quality
• Presentation
• Pricing
• Advertising
• Maintaining business relationships
• Outlets
  • Farmer’s market
  • CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
  • Grocery and natural food stores
  • Restaurants
  • Special orders

•   Record Keeping and Observation: Why observing your farm and keeping detailed records is the most important thing you can do as a farmer.
• Keeping track of what you do and when you do it.
• Planting records
• Sales records
• Production records
• Temperature and weather
• Observing your farm

• Running a small business: What skills are necessary to run a small farm business successfully?  Why making money is essential for small scale sustainable agriculture.
• Finding help and labor management
• Accounting and taxes
• Legal frameworks
• Assessing new farming ventures from a business perspective
• Laws that affect farmers