Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Intern

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT) at Penn State Extension is in need of a part-time intern based out of Centre County to assist CACAT staff and local partners in the delivery of its projects and programs in the Central region. The mission of the Center is to help farmers, ag landowners, and conservation professionals implement best practices, ensure the health of land and water in our communities, and leverage funding and partnerships.

The Center was formed in 2023 along with partners at the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (SCC) and the Pennsylvania State Office of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funding for the Center is provided through the state Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). The Center will collaborate with university partners at the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center (AEC) through the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Science (SAFES) for tasks related to this this internship opportunity.The interns will work on projects and programs related to the implementation of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) and development of resources for agricultural conservation assistance training.

Primary duties include both field-based and desk-based work. Duties will primarily consist of developing BMP Fact Sheets, and may also include developing other informational and outreach materials, such as articles for our newsletter Ag Conservation Currents; using geographic information system (GIS) tools to perform aerial imagery surveys; participating in watershed planning and water quality monitoring; assisting Penn State Extension and other technical partners to help deliver agricultural conservation trainings; visiting farmers, landowners, and municipalities to discuss opportunities for implementing conservation practices; conducting field work on restoration and BMP implementation, including maintenance of riparian buffers; assisting CACAT staff in facilitating and managing watershed based partnerships in the region; and other duties (as assigned) to assist CACAT staff. The intern will gain exposure to different partners from private, public agency, and nonprofit sectors.

Qualified Candidate: Should be currently enrolled as a student.Candidates should have an interest in agricultural and/or environmental sciences, water resources, and natural resources, but no former experience in those fields is required.Candidates should have excellent writing and communication skills; have the ability to work from home; and be willing to conduct occasional travel (transportation can be provided if you do not have a drivers license or reliable vehicle).

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