The prospect of changing lives overseas is an exciting one, and many of CNFA’s future volunteers often wonder what to expect. Our most Frequently Asked Questions are listed below. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact CNFA directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For more resources related to the specific regions or crops with which Farmer-to-Farmer works, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Farmer-to-Farmer (FTF) is a global United States Agency for International Development (USAID) program, funded through the U.S. Farm Bill. The goals of the program are both humanitarian—to generate sustained economic growth in the world agricultural sector—and cultural—to increase the American public’s understanding of international development issues and promote international understanding of the U.S. The program is active throughout the world. CNFA's Farmer-to-Farmer Program provides opportunities for U.S. farmers, agribusiness professionals and other agriculturists to contribute to democracy-building and the development of market economies by sharing their expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs across the globe. Volunteers share their knowledge in a wide range of agricultural and support fields, including crop production, food processing, financial management and business planning, marketing, cooperative/organizational development, livestock production, finance and rural credit and agricultural insurance.

Smallholder farmers in Moldova and Georgia; Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda; and Angola, Malawi and Mozambique are the direct beneficiaries of this program. To reach them, volunteers may work directly with them or with farmers’ associations, local agribusinesses and inputs suppliers and local extension agent services. Consumers and communities also benefit through improved products and services. In addition, the U.S. government places a high value on the cultural benefits of the program’s international exchange component.

The CNFA FTF Program is a very rewarding experience for volunteers. The opportunity to assist some of the world’s most vulnerable smallholder farmers with technical assistance leads to measurable results and increased incomes for these farmers. CNFA volunteers change lives, make new professional contacts and experience new cultures all while volunteering only their expertise, experience and time.

Developing countries need assistance from all types of agribusiness professionals. CNFA seeks experienced volunteers from a variety of backgrounds, including: farmers and ranchers, cooperative specialists, food processing professionals, agribusiness executives, extension agents, agricultural organization leaders, agricultural insurance and finance specialists, business and management experts and others. Volunteers are chosen by CNFA and the host organizations based on the matching of their skill set with the specific requirements of the assignment at hand.

Technical expertise is the main volunteer requirement. Volunteers are recruited for specific assignments, and each volunteer’s experience is reviewed before being sent abroad. Generally, volunteers have a considerable amount of experience and/or education in the field for which they are recruited. It is not uncommon for volunteers to have spent a significant portion of their careers working in the field in which they will provide technical assistance to farmers and agribusiness professionals in the receiving country.

CNFA sends Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers to Moldova, Georgia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi and Angola. Volunteer assignments are generally 16-19 days in length.

CNFA takes the safety and well-being of its volunteers very seriously and has equipped each field office with an action plan in case of any emergencies. CNFA staff members are dedicated to overseeing volunteer safety, including picking up/dropping off volunteers at the airport, arranging all accommodations for volunteers while they are in country and providing volunteers with transportation during their stays. CNFA offers volunteers with CDC-recommended vaccines and preventative medication and has also arranged for special medical insurance coverage while the volunteer is abroad. In the event that an extreme situation develops while volunteers are in country, CNFA will arrange for volunteers to exit the country.

CNFA also works closely with each USAID Mission and U.S. Embassy in the countries to which volunteers will be sent and is informed on any developing issues facing each country.

Volunteers donate only their time and unique skills. CNFA covers all logistical arrangements and expenses. This includes airfare, lodging, meals, local transportation and other project-related costs. Volunteers should not have to pay any of their own money to do a CNFA assignment.

Specific objectives and anticipated impacts are clearly outlined in the volunteer’s Scope of Work (SOW) and discussed extensively before the volunteer is sent abroad. These objectives vary from assignment to assignment and can range from assisting smallholder farmers in creating a budget to track their finances, to assessing a grain storage facility, to holding trainings on organizational capacity building, etc. While each volunteer assignment is different, in general terms volunteers will observe agricultural systems and procedures, provide trainings to host country farmers and agribusiness professionals and provide recommendations on technical issues.

New assignments are regularly posted on CNFA’s Web site. Please click here for a list of currently available assignments CNFA hopes to fill in the coming months.

Volunteers can fill out an online application for the Farmer-to-Farmer Program, or apply directly for a specific assignment using the “Apply Now” button on each assignment listing page. Please contact CNFA staff at 888-872-2632, or by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for any additional information about specific assignments.

CNFA purchases economy class tickets for all volunteers from the airport of their choice to the country of their assignment. While CNFA makes every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences, we cannot always meet requests for specific flights, seats or other arrangements. CNFA does not purchase upgradeable tickets, tickets for any class other than economy or tickets for anyone who is not a CNFA volunteer.

Side trips to destinations other than volunteer assignment countries may be permitted if the assignment schedule allows. All arrangements and costs associated with such trips will be the responsibility of the volunteer.

The majority of volunteers stay either in a regional hotel, rented apartment or guest house or with a host family.

CNFA does not allow spouses to travel with volunteers during their assignments. A volunteer may choose to meet his or her spouse before or after the assignment.

All volunteers must be cleared for travel by their personal physician before CNFA can allow them to travel overseas. As long as volunteers are cleared by their physicians, they may participate in a volunteer assignment.

Yes. The Farmer-to-Farmer Program is open to U.S. citizens and green card holders only.