Work to improve soil health on organic vegetable farms
The Cornell Small Farms Program (SFP) is pleased to announce summer job openings for full-time student positions. They are open to undergraduate, continuing students and based on the Cornell University, Ithaca campus.
About the Small Farms Program: We envision a future where diverse and vibrant urban and rural farms build human capacity, revitalize communities, supply regional food systems, and foster ecological resilience in a changing world. We do this by encouraging small farms-focused research and extension programs and fostering collaboration in support of small farms. To learn more about our current initiatives, visit www.smallfarms.cornell.edu
Hours and Pay Rate: Positions run from mid-May to mid-August 2017, but exact dates are flexible. Work is 39 hrs/week at $11-12/hr based on experience.
Small Farms Research Assistant
Description: These positions offer hands-on research experience in organic agriculture. They offer the opportunity to learn about practices that can improve soil health by doing field work and assisting in applied research projects. Students will help manage vegetable crops from planting to harvest, learn plant and soil sampling techniques, and collect and organize data to share with farmers. Daily transportation from campus to the Thompson Research Farm (10 miles east of Ithaca) will be provided. More project details can be found here.
Qualifications:
- Enthusiasm for and desire to learn about farming and agricultural research
- Ability to conduct physical work in a field setting
- Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to work well in a team
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Previous farm or field experience preferred
- Work-study students preferred but not required
Do you also want experience with outreach and communications?
One RA position will split field research and SFP outreach responsibilities. This position will support all phases of SFP outreach to farmers and help develop educational materials. Projects include publishing the Small Farms bimonthly newsletter, providing production assistance for the seasonal Small Farm Quarterly Magazine, and managing the SFP website and social media content. This applicant must have strong writing and editing skills and the ability to work independently. They must be comfortable learning to use computer programs such as WordPress, Constant Contact, Google Forms and Google Analytics. If you have interest in the SFP outreach responsibilities, please indicate this in your application.
To apply: Send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for 2 references to Ryan Maher, rmm325@cornell.edu by February 8th, 2018.
