Learn more about how to apply to be an International Agricultural Education Fellow in Mexico by reading the Call For Applications and contact cip@missouri.edu for more information.
Application Deadlines for IAEFP Mexico
- Early admissions – Feb. 1, 2024
- March Admissions – March 1, 2024
- Regular admissions – April 2, 2024
The International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program (IAEFP) promotes agriculture among youth in high schools in Puebla, Mexico. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and implemented by the University of Missouri and the educational leader UPAEP in Puebla.
The IAEFP is for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture-related field to expand agricultural engagement with youth in Puebla, Mexico. The fellows will support hands-on education using 4-H Clubs and classroom activities to facilitate youth’s learning and leadership in agriculture. Fellows will primarily focus on 4-H Club extracurricular activities, and secondarily will lead some activities in the classroom and contribute technical knowledge to ag extension activities.
IAEFP Fellows bring their agricultural and youth development knowledge to a community and work with its youth. The fellows will have potential impact in a school community and its food security, as well as the career and leadership paths of young people and agricultural producers.
The fellows also grow their own capacities and knowledge with the lessons they learn in a different cultural, language, and natural environment, and through the many opportunities for exploration and learning in the IAEFP. The cohort of fellows have the opportunity to grow strong friendships among the cohort and benefit from mentorship of a faculty member.
Beyond these benefits, the agricultural education immersion in Mexico will give fellows a distinct advantage for being hired to work as an extension specialist in the U.S., where cultural competence with diverse audiences, including Latino/a newcomers, is a growing necessity.
Location
The IAEFP Mexico fellowship is anticipated to be in Puebla City and nearby communities in the mountainous central Mexican states of Puebla and Tlaxcala. These are gorgeous areas just southeast of Mexico City, characterized as subtropical highlands with a breadth of diverse microclimates across altitude and geography. Puebla has large-scale horticultural production, medium-scale farms, as well as small-holder activities and eco-tourism. The state of Puebla currently boasts 6.5 million residents, and its capital city was founded in 1531. The state has several industries including agriculture, manufacturing, education, textiles and a growing food processing sector. While many parts of Mexico have safety issues, the states of Puebla and Tlaxcala have been relatively safe and the implementing partners prioritize security for all involved.
Other IAEFP programs are based in Ghana and Guatemala.
Eligibility
IAEFP Fellows are required to:
- Have an agriculture-related bachelor’s degree prior to deployment
- Be a US citizen
- Have Spanish proficiency (see Call for Applications for details)
- Commit to the full 10-month fellowship
FAQ
Check out the IAEFP Mexico frequently asked questions to get more information on the implementing partners, what to expect as a fellow and other logistics of the program.
See the Call for Applications for details. If you have any questions or concerns contact Lindsey Sanders, CIP@Missouri.edu
Photos provided by fellows and partners in the IAEFP program.