Learn about sustainable agriculture and community food systems from a broad systems perspective, while receiving close mentorship and access to hands-on, cutting edge research and professional development training. Join us for a 9-week individualized summer research and extension experience, including a week-long tour of diverse agroecosystems across North Carolina. Participants receive a $4,500 stipend, apartment-style housing on the NC State campus, and the opportunity to present their research at a scientific meeting after the program. No previous research or extension experiences necessary.

Global climate change, food security challenges, and environmental concerns are complex food system challenges that require innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to agricultural research and education. The CEFS Agroecology Scholars Program in Research and Extension (ASPIRE) prepares undergraduates with the technical skills to meet these challenges of the future, as well as an understanding of the impacts of agriculture on the environment and communities.

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Program Components

The ASPIRE program will provide participants with diverse research, education, extension and professional development opportunities focused on sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Students will work with their faculty and graduate student mentors on research for 3.5 days each week, and will meet as a group 1.5 days/week to participate in professional skills development and agriculture career path exploration and extension training.

Activities are organized into four main program elements that include:

1) Introductory tour of NC agriculture: “Diverse Communities and Agriculture across NC”- Two 2-day farm tours and other day trips visiting various agroecosystems and communities throughout NC. These tours are important for students to understand the unique agricultural challenges facing diverse producers and communities across NC and the role of cooperative extension.

2) Faculty-mentored research training: Each student will be matched with a sustainable agriculture or food systems research project and NC State faculty research mentor. In addition, each student will be paired with a graduate student mentor who is conducting similar research.

3) Extension training: All students will participate in integrated education and agricultural extension-related group activities on a biweekly basis.

4) Professional skills development and agriculture career exploration: All students will participate in a diversity of weekly professional development activities, as well as meetings with local businesses and non-profits that support sustainable agriculture and food systems work. These professional development activities include: discussions on the research process, scientific communication, leadership training, diversity, equity and inclusion competencies, understanding agriculture career pathways, and networking opportunities.

This internship program is supported by Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program, [grant no.2023-38503-41225], from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture

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• The ASPIRE program is seeking highly motivated Community College students from a variety of backgrounds, with a strong interest in sustainable agriculture or food systems, to participate in this unique interdisciplinary 9-week summer research and extension program.
• The program is open to all rising sophomore, junior, and senior students enrolled in a community college program leading to an associates degree. Women and members of demographic groups that are underrepresented in the sciences are especially encouraged to apply.

Candidates for the ASPIRE program must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• be citizens or permanent residents of the United States
• be enrolled in an accredited community college program in North Carolina
• be entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year
• be able to work at least 40 hours per week for the entire 9-week term