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Summer Internship - Agriculture and Natural Resource Systems

University of Minnesota Extension
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2025 Summer Internship positions with Agricultural and Natural Resources Department with University of Minnesota Extension (UMN) & Non-UMN students

 

Title:                           Agricultural & Natural Resource Systems Summer Intern

Positions:                 Six (6) positions across Minnesota – see below

Program Area:       Extension Department of Agricultural & Natural Resource Systems (ANR)

Timeframe:              May - August 2025

Classification:        UMN Students classified as Job Code 2221
                                     Non-UMN Students classified as Job Code 0001 (Temp/Casual)

Compensation:     $15.25 per hour following Extension student pay scale. Work related mileage and expenses will be reimbursed. Housing will not be provided.

Application review:  Preference given to candidates who apply by March 15, 2025

About this internship program

Learn about the exciting world of agriculture, horticulture and natural sciences by applying to be an ANR summer intern! This opportunity allows college students to gain first-hand experience doing work that matters. Kickstart your career by interning with 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 ANR 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 main components of the internship are:

  • Shadowing Extension Educators
  • Completing a project based on the interests and abilities of the intern, in consultation with their supervising educator
  • Reflecting on the educational work experience and its connection to future career goals
  • Networking with other interns, educators and researchers in Extension.

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 may be eligible for academic credit. Consult with your advisor to determine eligibility. 

There is one application process for multiple internship positions. Each internship position is unique in its location and focus, tailored to the interns’ strengths and interests. There are five internship positions available:

  • Buffalo, MN - The horticulture internship will be housed in Wright County but work will also be expected in McLeod and Meeker Counties. The intern will work with the horticulture Extension educator and help provide answers to technical assistance questions from residents across the tri-county regarding all areas of horticulture. They will also work directly with Extension Master Gardener volunteers through various volunteer projects.
  • Cologne, MN - The Carver County intern will be a generalist and have the opportunity to work with the Ag Production Systems Extension educator and help with dairy, crops, and fruit and vegetable programming, the Benton Lake Water Conservancy Project.
  • Duluth/Virginia, MN – The ANR intern in St. Louis County will have the opportunity to spend significant time in a variety of settings, including community supported agriculture (CSA), small farms, forages, livestock operations, and farms engaged in agritourism. The intern will work with Extension educators on various projects and will produce social media communications and develop the capacity to provide technical assistance in these agriculture, horticulture and natural resources fields.
  • Hutchinson or Litchfield, MN - This intern will work directly with the Crops and Livestock Extension educators and will have specific projects in these areas for Wright, McLeod and Meeker Counties. The internship will include event planning and execution, on-farm research projects, promotional material and news release content creation, and networking with farmers / industry partners. Primary office location will be Hutchinson or Litchfield.
  • Waite Park, MN - This intern will work with the Horticulture Extension Educator and will have specific projects in horticulture education for Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne Counties. The internship will include event planning and execution, learning how to answer horticulture questions from the general public and work with volunteer management. The primary office location will be Stearns County with the work extending to all four counties.
  • Waite Park, MN - This intern will work with the Livestock Extension Educator and will have specific projects in agriculture education for Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne Counties. The internship will include event planning and execution, on-farm research projects, promotional material and news release content creation, and networking with farmers / industry partners. The primary office location will be Stearns County with the work extending to all four counties.

Selection for each position will be based on candidates’ qualifications as well as their interest in the projects and fit with career goals.

These positions will:

1) Contribute to conducting high quality, relevant educational programs by working with an Extension Educator on projects such as:

  • 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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

  • High School diploma or equivalent.
  • Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate college student at the University of Minnesota or other accredited institution through the duration of the internship and must not be graduating from their undergraduate program in Spring 2025.
  • Must be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate college student in one of many major programs related to agriculture such as: agribusiness, agricultural education, agricultural communications, animal science, biological sciences, horticultural science, agronomy, natural resources, or related field.

Additional Requirements:

  • When not in the assigned office location, interns must be reachable with a mobile number at the intern’s own expense.
  • 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 workday.
  • 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.
  • This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Preferred Requirements

  • Knowledge of agriculture, horticulture, natural resources or food systems.
  • Demonstrated 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.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $15.25 per hour for year 1 interns, returning interns in year 2-4 pay ranges from $15.56-$16.18

 

Classification: UMN Students classified as Job Code 2221
Please visit the Office of Student Health Benefits website for more information regarding benefit eligibility. 

Student workers are eligible to participate in the Student Health Benefit Plan, if they maintain 6 or more eligible course credits within a given semester. The same applies for Undergraduate Students, Graduate Assistants, Residents, Fellows and Interns.

 

Classification: Non-UMN Students classified as Job Code 0001 (Temp/Casual)

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

About Extension 

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of Extension’s programming and employee engagement https://extension.umn.edu/.

To Apply

Job opening ID:366648         Direct link to apply:https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/stu/366648

 

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. 

 

Please include the following attachments with your online application:

  • Cover letter indicating your interest in at least one or multiple positions (see above)
  • Resume

 

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section. See full instructions, https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/Help-Job-Applications/Using-Job-Application-System. 

 

To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call 612-624-UOHR (8647).

 

Any questions about the internships please contact:

Joelle Larson, jblarson@umn.edu 

Sarah Chur, bergsj@umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Diversity

The University of Minnesota and recognizes and value the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu