Mexico – 2023-2024
Please contact cip@missouri.edu to learn more about how to apply to be an International Agricultural Education Fellow in Mexico.
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 support hands-on education using 4-H Clubs and related project curricula that facilitate youth’s learning and leadership in agriculture and the many skills necessary throughout food value chains. While fellows may lead some activities in the classroom, their main focus is extracurricular 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, the many opportunities for exploration and learning in the IAEFP. The cohort will have the opportunity to grow strong friendships among the cohort and the program team, and will benefit from the growth potential 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 will be hosting fellows in Uganda and in Ghana and Guatemala this and next year.
FAQs
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.
If you have any questions or concerns contact Lindsey Sanders, CIP@Missouri.edu