Sustainable Reference is proud to collaborate with the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA).  Here is some information about this program, and for further reading, click the links!

MESA, a U.S. Department of State designated Training and Cultural Exchange program, links international farmers and agriculturists with pioneering small-scale U.S. farms and organizations for training programs in sustainable and organic agriculture.

MESA’s Mission:  MESA advances a new generation of agrarian leaders, linking innovations in sustainable agriculture with ancestral knowledge to promote land stewardship, place-appropriate production and cultural awareness.

What MESA Does:  Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) sponsors international farmers to come to the United States for training and cultural exchange that promotes sustainable agriculture.  Since 1997, MESA has sponsored nearly 500 global farm stewards at over 250 U.S. host placements.

MESA proudly offers the only J-1 Training and Cultural Exchange Program– as designated by the U.S. Department of State– to solely facilitate a “share and learn” experience on behalf of sustainable agriculture for aspiring global farmers and our U.S. hosts.  MESA’s U.S. agriculture program designation permits us to sponsor trainees (aka “stewards”) for up to 12 months on a J-1 training visa.

MESA’s main eight-month program sponsors aspiring international farmers to live and train with organic/sustainable farms and nonprofits in the United States. Core program completion results in a U.S. Certificate of International Training in Agroecology and Food Sovereignty!
Read more about the U.S. Program here:  MESA U.S.

Rather train in Thailand?  MESA is excited to offer a three-month certificate of International Training in Agroecology (CITA) for beginning farmers and agrarians to train with MESA alumni this winter in Thailand!
Read more about the CITA-Thailand Program here:  MESA Thailand 

To learn more about these wonderful sustainable food production programs, click here.