Now recruiting a Healthy Soils Program Assistant for Spring 2025! This is a 6-month paid internship. Priority deadline is 5PM on October 31st, 2024. 

Internship Title

Healthy Soils Program Assistant – (Spring & Summer, 2025)

Organization / Position Overview

The Healthy Soils Program Assistant will help support HHCD’s Healthy Soils Program and will work directly with the Conservation Program Manager. The Healthy Soils Program is a dynamic and expansive program that is responsive to the needs of the farmers that we serve, and as such the assistant will be expected to be flexible and adaptive to the needs of the program. This is an excellent opportunity for a student who is passionate about local agriculture, and is pursuing a career as either a farmer or a technical service provider to support farmers.

Intern Responsibilities & Learning Objectives

The Healthy Soils Program Assistant will assist with:

  • collecting and processing soil samples, and entering soil reports into a database;
  • conducting research on regenerative agriculture topics and reporting to the Program Manager;
  • coordinating equipment rentals, inspecting and maintaining equipment after rental,
  • planning, organizing, and conducting outreach events, including preparing and distributing registration forms, pre-post surveys, promotional flyers, and educational pamphlets;
  • administrative tasks, including the printing and filing of rental agreements, soil reports, insurance documents, invoices and receipts.

The Program Assistant will attend farm visits, outreach  events, and networking opportunities alongside the Program Manager, and may be asked to take notes and distribute HHCD materials. The Program Assistant may be asked to take on additional tasks, as needed or desired.

Learning objectives include:

  • Knowledge of a wide variety of regenerative agriculture principles and practices, specifically reduced tillage, soil health principles, and agroforestry, and how regenerative agriculture supports climate change adaptation and mitigation goals
  • An introduction to a professional career as a technical service provider to farmers
  • Network with partner organizations throughout the region

 Qualifications and Requirements

  • A passion for supporting local agriculture and food systems
  • Ability to pass a USDA security clearance, which will grant access to the USDA office
  • Ability to carry tools and gear while traversing uneven terrain
  • Clear and direct communication skills – Willingness to learn new skills and abilities

 Desirable qualifications

  • Student within an agricultural or natural science field of study
  • Ability to interpret soil test reports and offer management recommendations to producers
  • Knowledge of regenerative agriculture practices
  • Knowledge of farm equipment
  • Data analysis using Microsoft Excel

 Internship Details and Compensation

  • 6 month internship from March through August that will average 10 hours/week over the internship. Less than 10/week expected during the Spring semester, and more than 10/week during the Summer semester.
  • Flexible, hybrid schedule. Some hours working in the Hadley USDA field office and in the field are required.
  • Compensation: Hourly pay of $18.50

 Application Procedure

Please email a resume and cover letter that describes your interest and experience to Matthew Karas, Conservation Program Manager, at: [email protected]

Priority application deadline: October 31st, 5PM. Open until filled by the right candidate.