Internship Curriculum

Overview

We are seeking highly-motivated undergraduate students from a variety of different backgrounds, with a strong interest in sustainable agriculture, to participate in a unique 8-week summer internship. Summer interns will learn about the concepts and practices of various aspects of sustainable agriculture from expert faculty and staff at CEFS and through hands-on farm work, lectures and discussions, community engagement, and field trips to local farms and markets. Additionally, students will work with a CEFS faculty mentor to learn about an aspect of sustainable agriculture research either through hands-on, practical field or experiential experience.

Multidisciplinary Curriculum & Diverse Hands-on Learning Opportunities

Each week students will learn about different sustainable ag. topics. Previous examples include:

• Soil Ecology
• Sustainable and Renewable Energy
• Integrated Pest Management
• Social Aspects of Sustainable Agriculture
• Crop-Animal Systems
• Plant Health
• Organic Production

Throughout the internship program, students will have the opportunity to engage in diverse, experiential learning activities that may include:

- Pasture-based Dairy Systems	- Alternative Swine Production
- On-Farm Habitat to Enhance Ecological Services	- Meat Goat Production
- Composting	- Pasture Ecology
- Soil Quality	- Cover Cropping
- Outdoor Swine Production	- Alternative Pest Management Techniques in Livestock-
- Management and Sampling a Long-Term Farming Systems Research Unit	- Alternative Tillage Practices

 

Course Credit

With acceptance into the internship program, students will be required to register for 6 credits through NC State University that are transferable back to their home institutions. The cost of the 6 credits are included in the $500 Internship fee.

Internship Structure and Schedule

The Summer Internship Program will run from June 4th – July 27th, 2012 at the CEFS research farm in Goldsboro, NC. Interns are expected to be present and engaged in internship activities five days a week (Monday through Friday) and there will be at least one mandatory weekend field trip. Below is a schedule from previous years and may change. The schedule is designed to offer students a wide variety of learning opportunities from multiple perspectives.

Farm Work Experience

Two mornings a week, interns will work alongside CEFS staff and apprentices on the Small Farm Unit, a 15-acre certified organic farm that produces a diversity of small fruits and vegetables. Interns will assist in general farm duties including seeding, transplanting, weeding, and harvesting a variety of crops. Interns may also have the opportunity to work at other CEFS Research Units as weather and scheduling permits.

Research Experience

Interns will work with a CEFS faculty mentor to participate in a research experience that is matched with their background and interests and faculty opportunities. Past topics have included Cover Cropping, Integrated Pest Management, Livestock Nutrition, Soil Quality and Ecology, and Community Food Systems. Interns will work under their mentor's supervision to either work in a hands-on experiential learning environment or a more structured research whereby interns collect and analyze data throughout the 8-week program. Upon completion of the internship, each intern will present a paper and PowerPoint presentation on their research experience.

To view examples of previous research projects, please click here.

Lectures and Discussions

One day a week, leading faculty experts in sustainable agriculture research from NC State University and NC Agricultural and Technical State University will present a lecture and discussion on various sustainable agriculture topics. Following the morning lecture, faculty will lead an afternoon laboratory, field activity or farm visit related to lecture topics.

Community Engagement

The CEFS Summer Internship is unique in that it also addresses social aspects of sustainable agriculture. Interns will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the history and context of agriculture in the south through engagement with the local community in Goldsboro, NC. The schedule includes weekly activities with gardeners, farmers, youth, civic organizations, and activists working to rebuild the local food system in Wayne County.

Housing and Cost

Housing is provided by CEFS and includes double occupancy rooms and communal kitchens. Work space with internet access is also provided. The cost for the 8-week program is $500 and includes housing, transportation to all internship activities and the 6 credit hours (CS 492).

Background of CEFS

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) develops and promotes food and farming systems that protect the environment, strengthen local communities and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond. CEFS is a cooperative effort between North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For more information please see www.cefs.ncsu.edu

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Forehand, CEFS Internship Coordinator and Extension & Outreach Coordinator

919-513-0954 or lisa_forehand@ncsu.edu

Page last updated: November 12, 2012 9:49 AM
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