Extension Small Farms Intern
Utah State University, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Overview
Join USU Extension to gain hands‑on experience supporting applied research that directly benefits communities across Utah. In this internship, you’ll work alongside Extension Specialists who are subject matter experts turning research into practical, real‑world solutions. You’ll contribute to projects that address current challenges while building skills in data collection, analysis, or research communication.
Our team values curiosity, collaboration, and learning by doing. Interns are welcomed as contributing members of the team and are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and grow professionally. Work may include a combination of field, office, and occasional remote tasks, depending on the project. This is a great opportunity for students interested in research, Extension, or careers that connect science with community impact.
Responsibilities
Lead, manage, and learn about high‑value field cropping systems, including planting, weeding, fertilizing, irrigating, harvesting, data entry, and markets. These duties provide skills in managing applied research for strong and dynamic data collection, site aesthetics for hosting Extension outreach (a field day, farm association meetings, social media, and online tools), and challenges that arise in the field through developing critical thinking skills.
Learn to disseminate research‑based information to the public by co‑authoring a USU Extension fact sheet for small farms or developing a short, educational video to be published on Instagram (@usu_smallfarms), or developing a website calculator that helps small growers implement soil or water recommendations. The intern will gain a perspective on crop production and limitations that resonate with farmers.
Assist with a field tour for growers and visiting faculty. The intern will gain experience with Extension events by helping to prepare the site for the tour, review needs assessments, and participate in planning for future outreach to ensure our Extension program is continually refreshed and meeting urban agriculture needs in Utah.
Collect digital imagery to develop educational, professional, engaging, and relevant social media content that consistently engages small‑scale farmers. This also helps interns learn careful documentation skills when conducting research.
Communicate and work with graduate students by providing supplementary help on their projects, and in turn receiving student‑to‑student mentorship. This helps students gain skills in leadership, critical thinking and problem‑solving, communication, and team‑valued work ethic.
Qualifications
Be an undergraduate student
Have an interest in the Extension program
Be dependable
Salary
$16.00 an hour
ADA
The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work each department performs. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).
Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Additionally, indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time. The incumbent may also be exposed to loud noises or vibrations from equipment, and conditions that may affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.
Notice of Non-discrimination
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law. Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law. Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.
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Join USU Extension to gain hands‑on experience supporting applied research that directly benefits communities across Utah. In this internship, you’ll work alongside Extension Specialists who are subject matter experts turning research into practical, real‑world solutions. You’ll contribute to projects that address current challenges while building skills in data collection, analysis, or research communication.
Our team values curiosity, collaboration, and learning by doing. Interns are welcomed as contributing members of the team and are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and grow professionally. Work may include a combination of field, office, and occasional remote tasks, depending on the project. This is a great opportunity for students interested in research, Extension, or careers that connect science with community impact.
Responsibilities
Lead, manage, and learn about high‑value field cropping systems, including planting, weeding, fertilizing, irrigating, harvesting, data entry, and markets. These duties provide skills in managing applied research for strong and dynamic data collection, site aesthetics for hosting Extension outreach (a field day, farm association meetings, social media, and online tools), and challenges that arise in the field through developing critical thinking skills.
Learn to disseminate research‑based information to the public by co‑authoring a USU Extension fact sheet for small farms or developing a short, educational video to be published on Instagram (@usu_smallfarms), or developing a website calculator that helps small growers implement soil or water recommendations. The intern will gain a perspective on crop production and limitations that resonate with farmers.
Assist with a field tour for growers and visiting faculty. The intern will gain experience with Extension events by helping to prepare the site for the tour, review needs assessments, and participate in planning for future outreach to ensure our Extension program is continually refreshed and meeting urban agriculture needs in Utah.
Collect digital imagery to develop educational, professional, engaging, and relevant social media content that consistently engages small‑scale farmers. This also helps interns learn careful documentation skills when conducting research.
Communicate and work with graduate students by providing supplementary help on their projects, and in turn receiving student‑to‑student mentorship. This helps students gain skills in leadership, critical thinking and problem‑solving, communication, and team‑valued work ethic.
Qualifications
Be an undergraduate student
Have an interest in the Extension program
Be dependable
Salary
$16.00 an hour
ADA
The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work each department performs. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).
Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Additionally, indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time. The incumbent may also be exposed to loud noises or vibrations from equipment, and conditions that may affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.
Notice of Non-discrimination
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law. Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law. Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.
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