Summer 2018 Internship
Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology

Summer 2018 Russell Brinsfield Agro-Ecology Internship Program

Law students and undergraduate students interested in careers that involve environmental conservation, agriculture, forestry, and/or policy should consider this summer experience. Two students will be selected for a residential internship which includes a competitive salary, free housing located at the Wye Research and Agriculture Center in Queenstown, Maryland and the opportunity to interact with leaders in policy, agriculture and environmental conservation.

The internship will introduce you to a number of complex agricultural and forestry issues including nutrient management for the Chesapeake Bay, climate change, and local food production. During the course of the internship, you will meet diverse stakeholders and engage in the complex interaction between agricultural and forestry practitioners with the environmental conservation and policy community. You’ll meet working farmers and foresters along with scientists and advocates from the environmental community. You will engage with legislators and staff at state agencies as you work to resolve challenges. The internship is funded by organizations seeking to build leaders able to appreciate all sides of complex issues and develop solutions that consider the needs of industry, environment, economics, and policy makers. 

The Brinsfield Internship provides students with an experience to enhance their academic studies, hone research and writing skills while creating useful tools for the agricultural and forestry community.  

Interns will:

• Support the Hughes Center and ALEI staff in researching and creating valuable resources for the agriculture industry pertaining to soil health, the local food movement, aquaculture, urban farming, agro-forestry, climate change, nutrient trading and renewable energy.
• Participate in the multidisciplinary research, outreach and collaborative activities of the Hughes Center
• Attend regional leadership meetings for agriculture and natural resources
• Have the opportunity to learn from and support research and extension agronomists at the University of Maryland’s Wye Research Farm
• Support ALEI staff in the creation and administration of legal education programs
• Support Hughes Center and ALEI staff in developing proposals for future projects

Interns must be licensed drivers with their own reliable transportation. Interns will be expected to attend Hughes Center events throughout the summer and some weekend or evening hours may be required. Interns will be paid $12/hour for a 40 hour work week and will receive on-site housing at the Wye Research Center, Queenstown, Maryland for the duration of the internship. To apply, please send your resume, cover letter and at least one academic or professional letter of recommendation. Undergraduate students should direct their application to Suzanne Dorsey at sdorsey1@umd.edu and law students should direct their application to Sarah Everhart at severhart@law.umaryland.edu by January 26, 2018.

For more information on the 2017 Brinsfield Internship check out https://youtu.be/_RD5JM8HabI