Solvi's Testimonial
"Thank you for the opportunity to be a trainee on your CAEP Turf Management program. I had a great experience on both my placements, first in Minnesota and then on a large golf course in California. The Educational Grant from CA Foundation and the Toro Foundation was especially valuable for the Turf Management Course that I was able to enroll in at Penn State University. I am now back in Iceland working
as an Assistant Greens Superintendent."
The Communicating
for Agriculture Scholarship and Education Foundation (CAF) was
founded in 1981 as a 501(c)(3) charitable
foundation for the purpose of encouraging young people in rural America
to further their education and careers in agriculture and health care.
Today that goal continues as an important focus of our foundation.
The foundation is governed and managed by its board of
directors at its national headquarters - 112 E. Lincoln Avenue, Fergus
Falls, MN 56537. Scholarships and grants are received by completing
applications as directed by the board, and are then entered into the
foundation data system and awarded based upon qualifications and needs.
Funds are awarded in two forms to recipients; as a scholarship or outright
grant.
In 1985, the foundation applied for and received authority
from the United States Department of State to sponsor a J-1 training and
intern program, allowing the exchange of young people to have a learning
experience in agriculture. Placements are made at our highly qualified
and successful member farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses as
described in our J-1 category for trainees and interns. In addition we
offer CA Education Programs (CAEP). CAEP offers participants the opportunity
to receive additional education as an option while in the program. The
Communicating for Agriculture Scholarship and Education Foundation is
responsible for the management of this program as well.
The Chief Responsible Officer is Milton Smedsrud, Chairman.
Milt is a lifetime member of the CAF Board as well as being the founder of
the foundation. In addition there is a full-time staff of
supervisor/coordinators, and data processing and accounting personnel.
The foundation is responsible for providing all training
programs, documentation and meeting with the US State Department to adhere
to their guidelines and make changes as required by law. The foundation
management team consists of supervisor/coordinators for each program
category who provide orientation seminars, host
family approval as placement for trainee/intern, and on-site visits to
ensure the program is beneficial to all parties involved. Upon completion
of the program both the host family and trainee-intern are required to
complete an evaluation report back to our organization. If completion of
the program is satisfactory the foundation presents participants a
certificate of satisfactory completion.
The foundation provides grants to Americans between the
ages of 18 and 28 to have a similar 3 to 12 month placement in agriculture
with one of our country partners around the world.
For additional information please contact our office at
(218) 739-3241 or one of the following.
Foundation Board Members:
Milton Smedsrud, Milt@cainc.org
Ben Schierer, Ben@cainc.org
Wayne Nelson , Wayne@cainc.org
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