Internships

About the Program

We are seeking an intern to serve on the U.P. Community Food System team. Work duties will be split into the following programs:
  1. The North Farm – Experience will include support of an organic diversified vegetable production facility that focuses on four-season production in a northern latitude climate. The site serves also as an outreach and education facility – promoting development of farmers that want to contribute to the local food system. The intern will be expected to assist with vegetable and seed production, harvest, marketing, and storage. They will also be involved in applied research opportunities related to season extension, grain production, and tillage methods. Organizational and record keeping skills are vital as every practice is well documented on the farm. There may also include some periodic farm facility development and maintenance, including small, on-farm construction tasks. There will be substantial opportunities to assist Extension staff in delivering programs and working alongside Apprentice Farmers that are hosted at the site. Learning objectives will include, but are not limited to: diversified vegetable production in an organic system, understanding season extension technologies, developing strategies to market vegetable crops, and conducting outreach with farmers – experienced and new – that want to learn more about the work at The North Farm. 
  2. North Farm Educational programs – The site host for the intern organizes and executes multiple educational programs throughout the season. The intern will gain understanding of the logistics behind event management and have the opportunity to develop curriculum, give presentations, and assist with evaluation of these programs, which reach a wide array of audiences. These events may include, but are not limited to:
    1. UPREC Research Field Days – featuring programs and research at the North Farm and cooperating sites
    2. North Farm Short Courses – series of 4 topic-focused half-day workshops, reaching 20- 30 individuals each.
    3. North Farm Teacher Institutes – new initiative supported through a USDA-NIFA grant to educate secondary education teachers on agriculture and food science. These events will host multiple educators from throughout the U.P.
    4. On-Farm Experiential Learning Activities – K-12 students visit The North Farm throughout the season to learn about their role in the food system in a hands-on setting. Groups range from 15-50 students.
    5. Farm Tours – ongoing effort to get people out onto the farm. These can include students, CSA members, veterans, disabled adults, and others.
  3. Organic agronomic research – We currently have multiple grant proposals pending for the 2018 season that will focus on organic small grain production and organic tillage methods. The intern will have the chance to assist with these research efforts, including plot layout, maintenance, data collection, reporting, and presenting results.
  4. Land-Based Learning Centers – With the support of a North-Central SARE grant, The North Farm is partnering with seven schools throughout the U.P. to give high school students a chance to learn about agriculture as a career alongside experienced farmers in on-farm projects to create intergenerational land-based learning centers. Farm improvements could include introducing alternative energy, intensive grazing, ecosystem restoration, or other sustainability practices. The intern will have the opportunity to visit farms to evaluate project progress and interact with high school interns. Learning objectives may include an improved understanding of operations on different farms and an increased awareness of key sustainability issues in the small farm business context.
  5. Community Food System Outreach throughout the U.P. – The Community Food System team in the U.P. is involved in a variety of activities around regional food initiatives including working with Tribal communities through the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP), summer Youth Farm Stand Projects, Farm to School and community garden activities, supporting and participating in U.P. Food Exchange activities. The intern will have the opportunity to interact with all of these projects, assisting with marketing and program delivery. Learning objectives may include understanding Tribal food sovereignty issues, development of farm to school initiatives and small farm food safety (from pre-harvest through maintaining the cold chain in distribution). 
Free housing will be provided for the intern at The North Farm, part of the Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham, Michigan. A private room is available in a communal living situation – bathroom, kitchen, and living area are shared. Internet and phone is available on-site. A travel stipend will be provided for the intern to travel throughout the U.P. supporting Extension and outreach events outside Alger County.

How to Participate

Internships are open to eligible Michigan State University students. To learn more about opportunities and to apply, click here
Picture