Sustainable Food Systems Internships at the Wallace Center

Two Internships in Sustainable and Equitable Food Systems for 2015 at the Wallace Center in Arlington, Virginia

Effective with the release of this position announcement, Winrock International will be recruiting applicants for a two internship positions with the Wallace Center at Winrock International. The responsibilities, duties, and qualifications are described in the attached position description.

The Wallace Center has been a key organization in fostering a more sustainable food and agricultural system in the U.S. since 1983. Today, the Wallace Center is focused on expanding and accelerating the expansion of sustainable and regional food systems throughout the U.S., with a vision for a healthy small and mid-size farm sector and regional food system the offers more good food—healthy, green, fair, affordable food—to more people. Wallace Center is achieving this through regional partnerships, developing new knowledge, building capacity and networking in order to “scale up” the good food value chain beyond the direct marketing realm to retail and institutional markets and other wholesale markets.

Wallace Center is looking for two interns that will support two separate but connected Center programs:

The Wallace Center’s Strengthening Sustainable Farming and Food Hub Development project’s purpose is to support more sustainable agriculture and expand opportunities for small farmers by building the capacity of food hubs to be successful. The program’s specific objectives include: building food hubs’ capacity to overcome current challenges and position them for long-term success through technical assistance and a re-granting program; building small farm capacity and that of their food hub partners to increase and diversity production quantity and quality; and expanding the capacity of the National Good Food Network and its Food Hub Collaboration to assist food hubs and small farm and inform stakeholders of their status and impact.

The Pasture Project, works directly with farmers and farmer-supporting organizations in the Upper Mississippi River Basin to expand pasture-based agriculture and increase the supply of grass-fed meat and dairy in the region.  Pasture-based agriculture has significant environmental, economic and health benefits and the Pasture Project employs a diverse array of approaches – from engaging farm media to launching demonstration farms, to helping USDA field staff better support and inform those considering pasture-based farming.

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POSITION SUMMARY – This listing is for two separate internships:

The first internship is focused on supporting the Strengthening Sustainable Farming and Food Hub Development initiative described above. The Intern will provide support for outreach activities including technical assistance provision, research, conferences, events, meetings, and communications. This position offers the successful candidate a diverse and meaningful experience in the area of food systems with a dynamic and leading organization in the field.

The second internship is focused on supporting The Pasture Project, as described above.  While the duties are similar, the emphasis of the project is on persuading farmers to engage in different practices, rather than supporting aggregation and distribution of good food.  The work is regional in scope, focused on Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin.  While office based, this position will offer the successful candidate an inside experience within a developing sustainable agriculture industry and the diverse movement of environmental and economic development organizations that have emerged to support it.

If you have a preference between the two positions, please indicate that in your cover letter.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide support on management of grantees, consultants, and contractors

• Provide support to Wallace Center events and meetings

• Help collect data on project evaluation and draft reports for funders

• Draft monthly newsletters

• Provide staff support for travel

• Provide support at meetings, including coordinating schedules and taking notes

• Assist in the maintenance of Wallace Center project files, websites and social media

• Communicate with a wide range of stakeholders working in food systems and market-based change

• Provide research support as needed

• Assist with targeted outreach to local, state, and national organizations and research institutions to identify relevant materials and contacts

• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education: Minimum of a BA/BS degree in food systems, business, journalism, communications, policy, research, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience: Past coursework, internship, work, or volunteer experience in food systems and food research, program development or communications. Experience or interest working with those with limited food access and/or disadvantaged populations.

Knowledge/Skills:

Detail-oriented and organized, with ability to create and track large numbers of files and contacts.

Confident and effective working independently and being managed remotely

Fast and accurate research skills gained from past coursework, internship, volunteer, or work experience. Research may be conducted online, in person, over the phone, or via electronic database(s).

Excellent writing skills, including ability to understand, organize, and distill information from a variety of sources into concise content tailored to the reader. Ability to take accurate notes at meetings.

Excellent communication skills; able to communicate with diplomacy and tact to motivate and get positive results from people.

Knowledge of and comfort with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Docs, and digital images.

Demonstrated cross-cultural skills and cultural adaptability in order to be productive in diverse cultural settings. Ability to communicate in a culturally appropriate and sensitive manner, to effectively bring out the best in people of varying backgrounds. Ability to connect people of different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and help them find common ground.

Other: Interest in or knowledge of sustainable agriculture, local food/food systems or community development demonstrated by past coursework, internship, volunteer or work experience.

Must not require sponsorship to work in the U.S.

ABOUT WINROCK:

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.

Since 1983, the Wallace Center at Winrock International has been a key organization in fostering a more sustainable food and agricultural system in the United States. Wallace Center, a business unit within Winrock International, is a leader in developing market-based solutions that link more people and more diverse communities to “good food” – food that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable. The Wallace Center is improving the ability of small- and medium-sized producers to expand their markets; building capacity among nonprofits and for-profits to strengthen market linkages; and increasing access to fresh and healthy foods for historically underserved populations in both urban and rural areas.

The focus of Wallace Center is on developing market-based solutions that link a larger number of 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.

APPLICATIONS: Applicants may go to Winrock’s Job Page at www.winrock.org to complete an online application, submit a current resume and cover letter by Friday, January 30, 2015. Winrock International is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

SALARY: Internships are paid. Hourly wage depends upon background and experience level.