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Oregon Agriculture

​​​​Before you host interns on your farm or accept a position as an intern, it's important to become familiar with state and federal laws and good internship practices. 

Knowing these laws and practices

  • Help ensure a good experience for both the host and the intern
  • Prevent misunderstandings, disputes, and even lawsuits or civil penalties

It is important to understand that a for-profit private business cannot use volunteers as interns. Farm internships may be exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act if they meet certain criteria.

The resources below include information about laws and regulations regarding internships and existing farm internship programs.

Resources

Exemption of interns from minimum wage and overtime

Farm internship laws and regulations Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act

Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act

Farm internship laws and regulations US Department of Labor Fact Sheet

List of wage and hour training seminars

Farm internship laws and regulations Wage and hour laws

Online workbooks about wage and hour regulations

Farm internship laws and regulations BOLI technical assistance publications

Oregon Labor and Industries: Technical assistance for employers

BOLI website

Student intern and trainee programs FAQ

Farm internship laws and regulations BOLI guidance on internships

Workers' compensation requirements for farms hosting interns

Workers’ compensation insurance overview

​​​For internship seekers​

Agriculture job and internship listings

Training and education programs listed by ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Program. Sustainable Farming Internships and Apprenticeships

Rogue Farm Corps Program

Farm training programs that offer hands-on experience on a diverse network of commercial family farms in Oregon. Rogue Farm Corps website

Zenger Farm Internships

Zenger Farm

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Conta​ct​

Jonathan Sandau
Deputy Director
635 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-385-5027
Karla Valness
Senior Policy Advisor
635 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-986-4554


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