Farming Trainee

Farming Trainee

Seedtime to Harvest Training Program

At Bonton Farms, the Seedtime to Harvest Training Program immerses individuals in a comprehensive learning experience aimed at skill acquisition that fosters personal growth and career advancement. Each participant will embark on their journey by engaging in farm operations as a Farming Trainee. We believe that beginning as a Farming Trainee equips individuals with a diverse array of transferable skills applicable across various sectors beyond agriculture, while also aligning with our organization's mission and core values, which include:

• Practical Learning
• Critical Thinking
• Effective Time Management
• Hands-On Experience
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Attention to Detail
• Flexibility
• Skill Enhancement
• Leadership Development
• Environmental Consciousness
• Mentorship and Support
• Personal and Professional Advancement

The Bonton Farms Seedtime and Harvest Training Program is designed to be peer-driven, focusing on self-actualization. This program promotes a relational, transformative, and individual-centered approach to empower, educate, and equip participants on the (7) Human Essentials, which are based on social determinants of health and workforce development needs.

The (7) Human Essentials encompass Transportation, Education, Access to Financial Resources, Community, Health & Wellness, Economic Stability, and Safe and Affordable Housing (T.E.A.C.H.E.S.). We utilize the acronym T.E.A.C.H.E.S. to enhance communication, clarity, and memory recall regarding the significance of these essentials. Participants will be introduced to these concepts in a classroom-like setting several times a week.

Key Concepts of the Training Program:

Self-Actualization refers to the realization of one's potential, talents, and abilities, embodying the desire for personal growth and fulfillment.

Social Determinants of Health are the social, economic, and environmental factors that impact individual health outcomes and overall well-being, including socioeconomic status, education, employment, housing, access to healthcare, social support networks, and environmental conditions. Addressing these determinants is essential for promoting health equity and enhancing population health.

Workforce Development involves the systematic preparation of individuals to enter, thrive in, and progress within the labor market by providing the necessary education, training, skills, and support to meet employer demands and contribute effectively to the economy.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Participants will undergo evaluations to determine eligibility.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must demonstrate abstinence from illicit substance use.
• Individuals with a history of substance use must provide proof of sobriety for a minimum of 30 days or a completion certificate from a treatment program.
• Must exhibit a willingness to collaborate and engage in peer coaching and mentoring.
• Must possess a growth mindset, believing in the ability to improve through effort and persistence.
• Must not have a history of sex offenses.
• Must be capable of lifting up to 15 lbs., bending, walking, and standing for extended periods in various weather conditions.

The Training Program is not an intervention; it offers participants the chance to apply their learning in real-world scenarios while providing the grace to learn from failures.

Program Benefits (based on need):

• Financial Wellness Initiatives
• Community and Belonging
• Partnerships with Workforce and Industry
• Opportunities for Skill Acquisition and Development
• Subsidized Housing Options
• Access to Mental Health Services
• Support for Personal and Professional Goal Setting
• Transportation Assistance
• Benevolence Programs
• Daily Meal Assistance