Through the use of ARRA funds, MCCA is funding the Sustainable Agriculture Program (SAP) at Heartland Community College’s Green Institute. The SAP is a hands-on, intensive vocational training for low-income individuals, and provides training through internships and training institutes.

The goals of the SAP are to:

• introduce entrepreneurial opportunities in sustainable agriculture
• provide classroom education and hands-on training about fundamental sustainable agricultural methods
• engage the local food network
• teach basic techniques for small-scale food processing (and other agricultural products)
• educate about and expand access to the local food network through community based agricultural education

Workshops include classroom instruction, field demonstration days and hands-on learning components. Interns will be placed with local sustainable agriculture or horticultural organizations.

To be eligible for this program, participants must:

• be prepared for manual labor
• commit to a 3-5 month internship (full- or part-time)
• be at or below 200% of the poverty level
• be willing to complete a background check
  be ready to start placement no later than May 10, 2010

There are limited scholarships available for students!

If you need more information, please contact Nicolette Slagle at 309 268 8446 or nicolette.slagle@heartland.edu