Team Peru Internship for Credit with Prof. Orion Lewis- Calca Region, Peru
Agriculture extension in Peru is based off a western, top down, teacher-student model that does not consider traditional methods of knowledge transfer. The Andean Alliance for Sustainable Development (AASD) is currently partnering with the community of Sacclio in Peru and a small group of identified community leaders to create a localized agriculture extension program that is specifically designed for small scale farmers. A localized extension program will offer trainings and resources for small scale farmers to organize, maintain traditional and environmentally friendly farming practices, provide agency and voice, and create innovative avenues to access markets. Students will participate in intensive facilitations and conversations to build context and critical perspectives; visit farming communities with differing levels of access; meet with NGOs, government officials, and community leaders; and participate in farming activities, workshops and other hands-on experiences. For more information visit http://alianzaandina.org/january-term/.
For this year’s JTerm students will join the AASD as stakeholders in this process. Students can expect to:
- Participate in intensive facilitations and conversations with the AASD to build context and critical perspectives;
- Visit farming communities with differing levels of access and connectivity as well as ecological zones;
- Meet with NGOs, government officials and community leaders;
- Participate in farming activities, workshops and hands on experience to build context;
- Immerse themselves in readings, informational videos will be discussed as well as weekly reflections.
Deliverables for this practicum have not yet been decided on, but will most likely fit into the following framework:
- A situation analysis related to a particular theme (which can be negotiated with the AASD in country)
- The design of an initiative—probably a tweak to an existing project–that is firmly rooted in the situation analysis
- A product that would support the initiative (which can be negotiated with AASD in country)”
For more information, visit AASD’s new website: http://alianzaandina.org/
Dates: January 8-26, 2018
Expenses: Students are responsible for program fees and travel costs.
To apply: Meet with Prof. Orion Lewis (olewis@middlebury.edu) to discuss independent study options by October 30. If approved, you will be directed to apply to AASD.
If you have any questions about Team Peru, please contact Carolyn Meyer at cmeter@miis.edu/831-647-6417