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Colorado State University-Testing Ag Performance Solutions (CSU-TAPS) seeks undergraduate students with requisite skills to assist with farm-based field work for an annual sprinkler irrigated corn farm management competition. This position will involve working with soil moisture sensors, plant monitoring sensors, and soil flux and gas analyzers for water and nitrogen research studies at ARDEC-South, Horticulture Field Research Center. This job opportunity is well-suited for students with direct ag experience as well as students interested in learning and gaining professional development experience relevant to future potential careers in sustainable and/or precision agriculture. Read more about CSU-TAPS here: https://www.irrigationinnovation.org/csu-taps. 

The internship will run from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, with the possibility of extension. The anticipated workload will be 12-20 hours per week and will be flexible to accommodate the student’s study schedule and responsibilities. This position’s time will be split between working at CSU Main campus and at CSU’s ARDEC-South Horticulture Field Research Center, located at 4616 NE Frontage Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80524. Candidates must have their own transportation. Mileage can be reimbursed. 

Key requirements:

  • Basic knowledge of agricultural fieldwork
  • Experience in data collection for soil, crop and water research
  • Familiarity with using sensors, e.g., to gauge soil moisture and crop canopy cover
  • Data entry and data cleaning experience
  • Ability to work independently

Responsibilities may include assisting with: 

  • Sensor installation, calibration, and management in the field
  • Collecting and preparing soil and tissue samples
  • Sensor-based collection of soil electrical conductivity (ECa) readings
  • Sensor-based collection of readings from crop canopy
  • Flying drones and collection of vegetative data from crop canopy
  • Preparing and calibrating necessary field equipment
  • Preparing VRI prescription maps
  • Field application of variable rate nitrogen fertilizer
  • Collecting and organizing field data from CSU-TAPS competition
  • Supporting other field work as necessary