Overview | GrowinG Internship Program

Number: Up to 10 per year

Stipend: $4,800 / internship

Eligibility: Any individual 18 years or older who identifies as someone who is ready to begin or has been involved in farming/ranching for less than 10 years is eligible. Applicants need NOT be students.

Term: Offered for 12 weeks each summer on host farms and ranches across the state

Work schedule: Interns will work with their respective host(s) to set a work schedule that is appropriate to the time commitment of the program (3 months), for the interns’ schedule, and for any time off needed. Interns must give at least one week’s notice for any time off and receive host approval.

Weekly work summary: Each intern is responsible for providing a mandatory Work Summary of experience each week of the 3-month internship. Work Summaries will help the intern reflect on day-to-day work, educational experiences throughout the duration of internship and provide proof of work/education for college credit (Any college credit must be arranged between the intern and the granting educational institution).

External education: Participation in at least one agricultural educational event is mandatory within the time frame of the internship. The host and intern are encouraged to attend / participate in the educational event together to insure that education is related to the internship. The GrowinG Internship Program will provide a list of potential educational events. Participation in more than one event is encouraged but must be approved by the host.

Academic credit: GrowinG interns that are also degree-seeking students are encouraged to seek academic credit for participating in the GrowinG internship program. Any academic credit must be arranged in advance between the student and an academic advisor with the granting educational institution. The UW GrowinG Internship Program itself does not grant academic credit to students.

INTERNS APPLY: Individuals and students interested in learning more about the GrowinG Internship Program or to receive application materials may contact: information@GrowinG.RightRisk.org or access GrowinG.RightRisk.org.

Host operator / operation expectations:

• The goal of the internship is to provide educational and safe learning experiences for the intern.
• Hosts will work with the intern to meet their learning objectives where possible.
• Hosts will provide the intern an opportunity to meet with local resource-related professionals when applicable and appropriate.
  Hosts are generally expected to provide food and a safe and functional living space for the intern.
• Hosts commit to provide a three (3) month educational / learning experience for GrowinG interns.
• Hosts understand that the intern may or may not have a background that includes previous agricultural experience and may not be suitable for various types of work completed at the host operation with or without guidance and / or supervision.
• Hosts understand that the intern is receiving a stipend from the GrowinG Internship Program and is required to submit a weekly Work Summary and accompanying photo(s) / video(s) at the end of each week.
• The GrowinG Internship Program is voluntary and may be renewed annually.

HOSTS APPLY: Farms and ranches interested in learning more about the GrowinG Internship Program or to receive application materials may contact: information@GrowinG.RightRisk.org or access GrowinG.RightRisk.org.

Selection process:

• Wyoming farms and ranches will complete an application to the GrowinG Internship Program to host no more than one intern over the three month program (normally summer).
• Eligible Wyoming citizens will complete an application to participate in the GrowinG Internship Program. Intern applications will include a description of their learning objectives and ideas for the external education they have interest in attending.
• The Wyoming GrowinG Internship Program State Committee will score host operations and interns who apply to the program. High scoring hosts and interns will be matched and notified.
• Applications will normally be received through the fall/winter. Scoring and selection will normally occur in early spring. GrowinG internships will normally be arranged to take place starting in late spring / early summer. Actual start / end dates will be arranged between individual hosts and interns.

Cooperating sponsors:

• Wyoming Crop Improvement Association
• Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation
• Wyoming FFA Association
• Wyoming Stock Grower’s Association
• Wyoming Wool Grower’s Association
• University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | UW Extension | UW Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics
• Wyoming RightRisk

Click here for the GrowinG Internship Program overview in PDF format.