Title:                            Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Summer Intern, Non-U of M Students

Timeframe:                 May - August 2023

Compensation:            $15 per hour. Work related mileage and expenses will be reimbursed. Housing will not be provided.

Extension center:        Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR)

Application review:     Application review will commence on February 13, 2023. We will continue to review applications until all positions are filled.
             

Position Locations:             

Anoka County, Andover

Benton/Stearns Counties, Foley

Blue Earth/LeSueur Counties, Mankato and LeCenter

Carver County, Cologne

Cook County, Grand Marais

Meeker/McLeod/Wright Counties, Buffalo

Pipestone/Murray Counties, Pipestone and Slayton

St Louis County, Virginia or Duluth

Stearns/Benton Counties, St Cloud

About this internship program

The AFNR Internship Program is an educational opportunity for undergraduate college students to learn about adult education regarding agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, and University of Minnesota Extension. 

Our interdisciplinary approach to education benefits from diverse perspectives, backgrounds, including both urban and rural experiences. Students with backgrounds in a variety of sciences such as: agriculture, biology, horticulture, natural resources, engineering who also have experience in other fields such as education, communications, etc are especially encouraged to apply. Direct experience in agriculture, horticulture, or natural resources is not required.

We are strongly committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. We welcome candidates who understand the barriers facing traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education, and strongly urge candidates who have engaged in professional and/or public service contributions that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion to apply.

Extension education involves connecting with people in communities (geographic or interest based) to understand their educational needs regarding AFNR topics, and delivering education in the way that works best for that community. Learn about one intern’s experience during 2022 at https://extension.umn.edu/source-magazine/veterans-budding-career-plan-grows-extension-internship.

The three main components of the internship are a.) completing a project created by the supervising Extension team (see examples below); b.) networking with other interns, educators and researchers in Extension; and c.) learning in weekly online meetings about the roles and positions that work together to achieve Extension’s mission.

Interns work 40 hours a week for ten to 12 weeks over the summer. There is flexibility in the start and end dates based on the interns’ schedules. These internships are usually eligible for course credit in a professional internship. Consult with your advisor to determine eligibility.

There is one application process for multiple internship positions, some requiring little direct experience, some requiring more.  Selection for each position will be based on candidates’ qualifications as well their interest in the projects and fit with career goals.

THESE POSITIONS WILL:

1) Contribute to conducting high quality, relevant educational programs by:

• researching topics for curriculum development
• adapting curriculum and marketing to reach new audiences
• creating needs assessments
• writing curriculum
• conducting focus groups or
• creating educational pieces for the media

2) Build relationships and networks in the agricultural or natural resource fields.

• Connect directly with presenters, farmers, non-profits, agency staff, Extension educators and Extension specialists through email, mail and phone.
• Build targeted relationships with stakeholders, agencies and organizations that support work in communities.

3) Develop a unique educational project that cultivates your professional development, for example:

• Plan, market and conduct educational events for a new audience
• Participate in current on-farm research efforts by assisting with sampling, site visits and assessments.
• Develop, administer, and analyze a needs assessment for a specific audience
• Create engaging social media content for your county's Facebook and Twitter page
• Answer the public’s questions through phone, email and in person communication.  

Required Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate college student in one of many major programs related to sciences and/or education such as: agribusiness, agricultural education, agricultural communications, animal science, biological sciences, horticultural science, agronomy, natural resources, education, communications, or related field.
• Must not have completed your undergraduate program and must not be graduating Spring 2023.

Additional Requirements:

• Personal cell phone that can be used, as needed, for work purposes.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including some evenings or weekends.
• Ability to transport themselves or have reliable transportation to/from multiple locations for work, at times in a single work day.
• Must be able to sit/stand for long periods of time and lift, push, pull, carry up to 30 pounds and push/pull 50 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to submit proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit a completed religious/medical exemption and agree to comply with the University's testing requirement.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Preferred Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of agriculture, horticulture, natural resources or food systems.
• Proven excellent communication skills, which includes both written and verbal.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) and Google Suite programs.
• Ability to learn additional software systems for educational use.
• An independent self-starter with the ability to be flexible and work on a variety of different tasks.

**You must include skills/experience on your resume, as well as location interest(s), references, and unofficial transcripts as additional pages to your cover letter. See “To Apply” section for more details.**

About University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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