"It has been some very rough years recently.  I decided that instead of diversifying my crops, I would diversify my career." Michael Stowell Homedale, Idaho Hay Grower and Custom Harvesting Paramedic Ed - BSU	1. Inquire about the Alternative Careers for Idaho Farmers program (see list of participating agencies here).   2. Once qualified for the ACIF program, you can request an application packet be mailed to you or download the application material from the web.   3. The ACIF coordinator assists applicants as they create an Individual Career Development Plan and complete a packet that includes:     Applicant's farming/ranching history.   Skills and interests assessment.   Employment opportunities investigation.   Career Development Plan.   Demonstrate financial need.   Essay, "How I can benefit from this opportunity".   4. A review board of participating agency and higher education representatives reviews and ranks applications, considering financial need, and likelihood that the training effort will lead to meaningful and permanent employment for dislocated farmers/ranchers or will increase choices by incumbent farmers/ranchers that lead to a viable business.   Click here to view an example of the issues and the weight of each issue used to evaluate the applicant's needs.

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