Traineeship at the Farm 2024: Welcoming Blaine 🇿🇦 and Marc 🇩🇪
Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming two enthusiastic trainees to our farm—Blaine from South Africa and Marc from Germany. They joined us for a two-week traineeship, and it’s been an exciting journey so far, both for them and for us!
During their first week, Blaine and Marc immersed themselves in the daily rhythms of farm life. They started by getting to know the farm and learning about the work we do here. From tending to the crops to understanding the intricacies of countryside living and hemp farming, they quickly became part of our hemp farm.
They learned the traditional craft of making hemp paper. This was a creative and hands-on experience that gave them a deeper appreciation for the versatility of hemp.
One of the highlights of this first week was a visit to our friend Edgars and his hemp fields. Here, they learned about the fascinating process of hemp cultivation and even got a hands-on experience with a micro decorticator—a machine used to process hemp fibers. It was a unique opportunity for them to see the intersection of traditional farming methods with modern technology.
Blaine and Marc also had the chance to experience the local culture firsthand. They visited a nearby city festival market, where they observed how local vendors sell their products. This experience was invaluable, as they saw up close how to engage with customers and sell in small, local markets.
Additionally, they explored the village of Obeliškas where our farm is located, getting a sense of the community that surrounds us.
As we move into the second week of their traineeship, Blaine and Marc have already participated in one of our farm tours. They observed how Andris, delivers these tours, sharing the farm’s history and the importance of sustainable practices with visitors. It was a great learning experience for them to see how we communicate our mission and engage with the public.
The second week is already well underway, and there’s much more to come. We’re excited to share more about their experiences as they continue to learn and grow with us. Stay tuned for an update next week as we wrap up their traineeship and reflect on all they’ve accomplished!