In this paid internship program, interns work closely with Extension educators to learn how Extension translates science-based knowledge for use across Minnesota.
Why
Work on rewarding projects that make a difference in your community while gaining hands-on experience and building your resume.
Who
Undergraduate students from the U of M or elsewhere interested in crops, livestock, horticulture, natural resources, communicating science or serving their community.
What
The University of Minnesota Extension summer program gives students a season to learn with educators and communities.
The three main components of the internship are completing Extension educator-selected project(s); networking with other interns, educators and specialists in Extension; and learning about the people who work together to achieve Extension’s mission.
Past projects include:
- Help maintain cover crop plot areas, collect data and prepare materials for a plot tour.
- Script and record clips to air on local radio stations and write for local news outlets.
- Work with educators to develop curriculum, including creating teaching tools.
- Develop a farm safety video series including storyboarding, filming, editing and sharing.
When
The internships are held each summer for 10 to 12 weeks. Applications are accepted starting in October. Internships are full-time, but there is flexibility based on interns’ school schedules.
Where
Internships are offered throughout Minnesota, based on availability.
2025 Internships
Buffalo
Horticulture. Supervisor: Emily Lindenfelser, [email protected]
The horticulture internship will be housed in Wright County and also serve McLeod and Meeker counties. The intern will work with the horticulture Extension educator and help provide answers to technical assistance questions from residents across the tri-county regarding all areas of horticulture. They will also work directly with Extension Master Gardener volunteers through various volunteer projects.
Duluth and Virginia
General. Supervisor: Troy Salzer, [email protected]
The agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources intern in St. Louis County will work in a variety of settings, including community-supported agriculture (CSA), small farms, forages, livestock operations, and farms engaged in agritourism. The intern will work with Extension educators on various projects, produce social media communications, and provide technical assistance.
Cologne
General. Supervisor: Colleen Carlson, [email protected]
The Carver County intern will be a generalist working with the Ag Production Systems Extension educator and help with dairy, crops, fruit and vegetable programming, and the Benton Lake Water Conservancy Project.
Hutchinson or Litchfield
Agriculture/Livestock. Supervisor: Taylor Herbert, [email protected]
This intern will work directly with the Crops and Livestock Extension educators and will have specific projects for Wright, McLeod and Meeker Counties. The internship will include event planning and execution, on-farm research projects, creating promotional materials and news releases, and networking with farmers and industry partners. The primary office location will be Hutchinson or Litchfield.
Waite Park
Horticulture. Supervisor: Quincy Sadowski, [email protected]
This intern will work with the Horticulture Extension educator on specific projects for Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne counties. The internship will include event planning and execution, answering horticulture questions from the general public, and volunteer management. The primary office location will be Stearns County with the work extending to all four counties.
Agriculture/Livestock. Supervisor: Dana Adams, [email protected]
This intern will work with the Livestock Extension educator on specific projects in agriculture education for Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne Counties. The internship will include event planning and execution, on-farm research projects, creating promotional materials and news releases, and networking with farmers and industry partners. The primary office location will be Stearns County with the work extending to all four counties.
Learn more
Read more about the internship experience:
- Maroon and gold all summer for Emma Bruder
- Veteran's budding career plan grows with Extension internship
- Eye-opening experiences for agricultural interns
A few of our interns created videos about their experiences. Take a look below.
Contacts
Have questions? Please contact:
- Joelle Larson, [email protected] or 612-626-3925
- Sarah Chur, [email protected] or 612-360-4510