Friends of Spannocchia
Vitals
- GYA Accredited Since: Unaccredited by the GYA. Please see the Standards for more information.
- COVID-19 Plans:
Warning: Undefined array key "" in /home4/mericbw8/public_html/old_gapyearassociation/program.php on line 483
- Enrolling:
- App Deadline:
- Next Available Departure? Apr, 2025
-
Mission Statement:
Spannocchia has offered a unique farm internship program for more than 25 years. Three-month internship sessions are available in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Eight interns work alongside our Italian farm staff to help run our diversified organic farm and agritourism in rural Tuscany. Interns acquire knowledge and practical skills through the involvement with daily operations of Spannocchia.
Our farm internship program is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people by providing them with a unique, educational experience on a community-oriented organic farm in Tuscany, Italy. Participants learn about organic farming, local cultural history, conservation, maintenance and restoration, animal care and Italian language. Spannocchia supports a model of sustainability for current and future generations through education, agriculture and historic preservation. - Level of Independence/Supervision (mouse-over for definition):
12345
Attachments
Program Locations
Typical Itinerary
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
|
W e e k 1 |
Free Time 7PM: Dinner | 8AM-1PM: Farm Work 1-2PM: Lunch 2-5PM: Italian Lessons 5-7PM: Free Time 7PM: Dinner | 8AM-1PM: Farm Work 1-2PM: Lunch 2-5PM: Farm Work 5-7PM: Free Time 7PM: Dinner | 8AM-1PM: Farm Work 1-2PM: Lunch 2-5PM: Farm Work 5-7PM: Free Time 7PM: Dinner | 8AM-1PM: Farm Work 1-2PM: Lunch 2-5PM: Educational Presentations 5-7PM: Free Time 7PM: Dinner | 8AM-1PM: Field Trip 1-2PM: Picnic 2-5PM: Field Trip 5-7PM: Free Time 7PM: Dinner | Free Time |
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
|
W e e k 2 |
Free Time 7PM: Dinner | 8AM-1PM: Farm Work 1-2PM: Lunch 2-5PM: Italian Lessons 5-7PM: Free Time 7PM: Dinner | 8AM-1PM: Farm Work 1-2PM: Lunch 2-5PM: Farm Work 5-7PM: Free Time 7PM: Dinner | 8AM-1PM: Farm Work 1-2PM: Lunch 2-5PM: Farm Work 5-7PM: Free Time 7PM: Dinner | 8AM-1PM: Farm Work 1-2PM: Lunch 2-5PM: Educational Presentations 5-7PM: Free Time 7PM: Dinner | 8AM-1PM: Group Project 1-2PM: Picnic 2-5PM: Group Project 5-7PM: Free Time 7PM: Dinner | Free Time |
Spring 2020 Dates: Thursday, March 5 to Saturday, May 30, 2020
Application deadline: Friday, November 15, 2019
Summer 2020 Dates: Thursday, June 4 to Saturday, August 29, 2020
Application deadline: Friday, February 7, 2020
Fall 2020 Dates: Thursday, September 3 to Saturday, November 28, 2020
Application deadline: Friday, May 1, 2020
Peer Reviews
Program Details
- Program Starts: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
- Program Duration: Less than 2 months, Semester, Yearlong
- Program Cost: $1,500
- Program Financial Aid: Yes
- Other Financial Aid Details:
Limited scholarships are available. Participants are also provided with access to an online system to aid them in fundraising to cover the costs of the program activity fee.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Understanding of principles of sustainable agriculture
- Italian language skills
- Service learning
- Practical farm skills and knowledge.
- Cultural immersion
- Exposure to organic methods of farming and renewable resource use.
- Team building and collaboration
- Personal and leadership development
- Project management and problem solving.
- Communication and relationship skills multi-national community
Staff Training and Certification
The program is managed by an on-site Education Director. The director manages the daily activities of the interns and also facilitates site visits/field trips, tours, guest speakers and presentations. In addition, farm staff specializing in a specific agricultural area (vineyards, orchards, vegetable gardens, livestock, forestry) provide support and educational assistance to the interns. Participants are mentored by staff in their areas of interest and learn through participation and experience.