Internship Opportunity Announcement—2010

Internship opportunities will again be available at the Stewardship Ranch, near Poteau, Oklahoma. These internships are part of a long-term plan to build a School of Sustainability, which will provide a diversity of educational and training opportunities in sustainable food and agriculture.  Student interns work alongside staff to develop demonstrations and deliver educational programs.

Practical Hands-On Learning:
The School of Sustainability's programming focuses primarily on sustainable livestock and organic horticulture. Intern activities include practical field and, when necessary, laboratory and shop work.

The livestock program is building primarily around:
1) the preservation and production of Pineywoods cattle – a heritage breed;
2) establishment of a Kiko goat herd;
3) the development of Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) for the Pineywoods and Kiko stock;
4) evaluation of meat goat genetics for forage-based production—an on-going trial done in cooperation with Oklahoma State University; and
5) studies on the integration of free-range poultry with grass-based cattle production – a research trial done in cooperation with USDA/ARS.

Livestock activities may include fence building, moving stock, pasture evaluation, animal health management, and weighing and scoring goat performance.

The horticulture program is focused on organic soil building, weed management strategies, evaluation of heritage vegetable varieties, fall gardening, and extended season production. Interns will assist in various aspects of horticultural work, which may include planting, cultivation, irrigation, composting, integrated pest management, and harvest activities.

Academic:
Interns also spend about 20 percent of their time in guided learning activities. This may include academic reading and study, attending local field days, workshops, and meetings, screening educational videos, or researching a special interest topic with the goal of producing a short publication. In all instances, topics addressed will be relevant to sustainable agriculture and supportive of the Kerr Center's work.

Living and Working Conditions:
Hands-on work in horticulture and livestock can be tiring and physically demanding. Work during the summer months can be especially so due to heat, humidity, and pests. Those with health conditions that might be limited by these conditions should not apply.

Interns are expected to work and study a minimum of 40 hours each week.  The standard workweek at the Kerr Center is Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  Schedules, however, are flexible to meet the needs of livestock and crop management, inclement weather, and the timing of educational events.  

Kerr Center pays for housing costs and basic utilities (electric and gas).  Currently, housing is off-site in Poteau, about 7–9 miles from the Kerr Ranch, though on-ranch housing may become available beginning in 2011.  If housed in Poteau, interns will need to provide their own transportation and should not assume that carpooling is an option.  While the distance and routes from Poteau allow for bicycling, weather conditions are often unsuitable; it should not be the sole option for commuting.  A car, scooter, or motorcycle is strongly advised.

Supervision:
Supervision will be provided by the Kerr Center's internship coordinator and other staff managing livestock, horticulture, and other project areas.

Length of Terms:
Since we seek to accommodate college students, most terms run as follows:

• Mid-January through May: 4.5 months
• Mid-January through Mid-August: 7 months
• June through Mid-August: 2.5 months
• June through Mid December: 7.5 months
• Mid-August through Mid-December: 5 months
  

Because our program is small, we can be quite flexible with term lengths.  We welcome alternative proposals.

Openings available:
The Kerr Center has sponsored two to three internships per year since 2008.  We have acquired some additional outside funding and anticipate more to grow the intern program in the near future.

Compensation:
Kerr Center provides a monthly stipend of $600.  We also provide housing and basic utilities (electricity and gas).  (Alternatively, we are pleased to provide a housing stipend to interns providing their own housing.)

Kerr Center interns are covered by Workers Comp.  Health insurance, however, is not provided.  Interns do not earn vacation hours.  However, they may take time off for any holidays that fall within the term of their internship. 

Meals are only provided occasionally. Produce from garden and projects, and some livestock products, are provided free-of-charge.

Qualifications:
We are seeking high quality, self-motivated individuals, who are interested in sustainable agriculture.

Applicants must:

• be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age.
• have a valid U.S. driver's license and provide their own transportation to and from Kerr Center headquarters.
• be in good physical health and able to do moderate physical labor, e.g. lift 50 lbs. for extended periods.
• have basic computer and communication skills.
• have health insurance.  If you do not have health insurance, Kerr Center may be able to assist you in finding a suitable policy.  Premium payments, however, will be your responsibility.

How to apply:
We would like a resume outlining your educational and work background, a letter of interest, and contact information for three references.

In your letter, please indicate:
1) your preference for work primarily with livestock or with horticulture. If you have no preference, please state so.
2) your preferred starting date and the length of term you are seeking.
3) If you have experience and skills at writing, video development, or formatting documents, a sample of your recent work would also be welcome.

Mail or email (email is preferred) your application to George Kuepper at the address provided below.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application. Phone interviews and site visits will be arranged for promising applicants prior to final selection.

Preference will be given to permanent or temporary residents of the Midsouth, who are enrolled in graduate or undergraduate degree programs in agriculture, ecology, environmental policy, education, and related fields. We especially welcome those who might seek college credit for their experience at the Kerr Center and will provide whatever documentation your academic department might require. While college-age students are our target audience, we will give full consideration to applications from non-traditional students and others.

Application Deadlines:
Applications for internships beginning January 2011, should be submitted by October 1, 2010.
Applications for internships beginning June 2011, should be submitted by February 15, 2011.
Applications for internships beginning August 2011, should be submitted by May 1, 2011.
Applications received later may or may not get full consideration.  You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, since only a few internships are offered each year.

For further information, contact:
George Kuepper
Internship Coordinator
Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture
P.O. Box 588
Poteau, OK 74953
918.647.9123
gkuepper@kerrcenter.com

For more information on the Kerr Center, visit our website at: www.kerrcenter.com.