Internship Opportunity at the Wallace Center for Sustainabile Agriculture
Posted On: April 24, 2008
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Wallace Research Intern – Arlington, VA
Effective with the release of this position announcement, Winrock International will be recruiting applicants for an internship with the Wallace Center. The responsibilities, duties and qualifications are described in the attached position description.
GENERAL:
Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. Winrock matches innovative approaches in agriculture, natural resources management, clean energy, and leadership development with the unique needs of its partners. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world.
The Wallace Center at Winrock International has been a key organization in fostering a more sustainable food and agricultural system in the U.S. since 1983. During this time it has employed research, policy analysis and education in order to drive change that benefits farmers, urban and rural communities, our natural resources and the health of our citizens. Today, the Center continues to provide leadership to further the development of sustainable and equitable agriculture and food systems through national and regional program design and implementation, policy analysis, research and technical assistance. Current focus is on developing market-based solutions that link a larger number people and communities to healthy and sustainably produced food that supports a viable farm community, development of capacity among non-profits to facilitate enterprise development, building capacity for community-based food systems and expanding marketing channels to link urban and rural communities. In support of this work, the Center hosts national conferences and convenes regional working groups and networks.
SALARY:
Winrock is able to offer a stipend to cover living expenses.
APPLICATIONS:
Applicants should send current resume and cover letter (maximum of 2 pages total) referencing HRM/Wallace-Intern by May 2, 2008 to: jobs@winrock.org
POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE: Intern
Location: Arlington, VA
UNIT: Wallace Center
REPORTS TO: Director, Wallace Center
BACKGROUND:
The Wallace Center currently leads a collaborative effort of nearly 20 farmers market leaders and practitioners from around the country. This geographically and organizationally diverse group is actively engaged in the development of resources that benefit direct-marketing farmers and farmers market managers. In 2007 this consensus effort produced a pair of handbooks that use plain language and abundant photography to help farmers and market managers succeed and an ongoing series of regional farmers market conferences for market managers and direct-marketing farmers.
The Wallace Center will continue its collaborative development of resources with a Risk Mitigation Tool-Kit for direct-marketing farmers that will include information on liability insurance, food safety, marketing and crop insurance. The Wallace Center is also researching case studies on successful direct-marketing entrepreneurs who have used farmers markets to scale up their agricultural enterprises.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The intern would assist with research and collecting of materials for the Risk Mitigation Tool-Kit and the case study series. This would include constructing a document library of currently available materials developed by farmers’ markets at a local, state and regional level across the country for review and evaluation. This will involve contacting and networking with state organizations, regional market networks and local market managers. In addition to building the document library, the intern will assist with the research for the case study interviews and writing. Finally the intern would assist with some data entry for a 2007 farmers market survey that was conducted by the Wallace Center as part of the first year of the project.
QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:
- Fast and accurate research skills. Research will include Internet, phone calls, in-person interviews and possibly library and on-line database sources.
- Excellent writing skills, including ability to distill large amounts of information into concise memos.
- Organization skills, including ability to catalogue and store large numbers of files accurately.
- Interest in farmers’ markets, sustainable agriculture/environment issues, and/or community development demonstrated by undergraduate or graduate study.
- Must not require sponsorship to work in the U.S.
