Beginner Farmer Training – HIP Agriculture
Last Updated On: January 29th, 2026 at 09:42AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:52-4700 Akoni Pule Hwy
Kapaau, Hawaii, 96755
Primary Contact: Katie Wortman
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: (808) 889-6316
Email: programs@hipagriculture.org
Website: https://www.hipagriculture.org/
Internship information
General Farm Description: On our certified organic farm, we cultivate 1.5 acres of market gardens, 6 acres of orchards, 2 acres of agroforestry, and three greenhouses producing diverse crops including vegetables, citrus, ‘ulu, avocados, ‘awa, bananas, papaya, tropical fruits, and staple canoe crops.CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: July 13, 2026
Internship Ends: December 19, 2026
Number of Internship Available: 4
Application Deadline: March 27, 2026
Minimum Length of Stay: 5.5 Months
Internship Details:
HIP Agriculture is now accepting applications for our July-December 2026 Paid Residential Beginner Farmer Training Program, based in the ahupuaʻa of Niuliʻi on Hawaiʻi Island.
HIP Agriculture’s mission is to practice and teach regenerative agriculture through farm to school education, farmer training, and ecosystem restoration. This residential training program is our most immersive educational experience, designed for those interested in pursuing careers in sustainable agriculture.
Twice a year, we host 5.5-month residential cohorts on our working organic farm, where trainees learn through daily practice in market gardening and tropical agroforestry, while living and working in a rural, off-grid community.
Who this program is for:
- Individuals seeking hands-on agricultural career training
- Interest in market gardening and tropical agroforestry
- Willingness to engage in physical outdoor work and collaborative community living
What trainees receive:
In exchange for full participation in weekly farm projects, trainees receive:
- Hands-on training on a working organic farm
- Unique educational and field-based learning experiences
- Fresh farm food
- Rustic, off-grid housing with access to shared facilities
- A monthly $800 stipend
Application timeline:
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for the Fall 2026 cohort (July 13–December 19, 2026). The cohort will be finalized by April 2026.
Educational Opportunities: Weekly classes from local experts and monthly field trips
Skills Desired: The ideal candidate is a hard-working individual that is diligent, excited about physical outdoor work, eager to learn, pays attention to details, works well within a community, and practices resilience and determination.
Meals: No, but apprentices may harvest fresh produce from the farm.
Stipend: $800 per month
Housing: Yes
Preferred method of Contact: Email