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Form of workMassachusetts Agricultural Sustainability Intern- Job Description
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' (MDAR) mission is to cultivate a robust and equitable agricultural economy, promote a safe and resilient food system, and preserve a healthy environment for Massachusetts farmers, animals, and consumers. We support, regulate, and enhance the rich diversity of the Commonwealth's agricultural community to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures and fulfill agriculture's role in energy conservation and production.
The Agricultural Sustainability Intern reports to The Western Massachusetts Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program Planner and supports cross-agency implementation of MDAR's Dairy Sustainability Team priorities. The fellow will conduct research and compile data to support the development of draft documents relevant to the status of the Dairy Industry and its land base. Findings from this project may influence programming or policy within the sector.
Of the approximately 491,653 acres of farmland in Massachusetts approximately 10% is used by the dairy sector. Maintaining viability in the dairy sector is important for the regional agricultural economy and crucial to meeting MDAR's land protection goals.
Duties
The Agricultural Sustainability Intern will work 15- 20 hours a week to gather, collate, and present information critical to the viability of the Commonwealth's Dairy Sector.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Collect current data to outline the status of the Massachusetts Dairy Industry:
- Support interviews with farmers throughout New England to gather statistics and qualitative information on each operation.
- Gather statistics and quantitative data from US Ag Census, and prior reports on the dairy industry in MA.
- Work with MDAR staff to inventory prior support provided to dairy farms through MDAR programs and identify gaps remaining.
- Collect qualitative data on Dairy producers in Massachusetts via phone interviews with organizations such as:
o The Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers and the advisory committee to NE-DBIC.
o Service providers, such as Farm Credit East, FSA, and NRCS staff, buy local staff that provide assistance directly to dairy producers.
- Collect data/interview program staff on the support and programs they offer that could be replicable in Massachusetts.
- Inventory climate practices occurring on Massachusetts dairy farms, as well as needs as identified through analysis of grant applications and interviews.
- Catalogue Climate Smart practices that are currently being implemented or explored in other regions, and internationally to gain an understanding of opportunities for Massachusetts dairy farms.
- Collect data on the current amount of unprotected land within the dairy sector, as compared to the protected to get a broader picture of the land base that is vulnerable.
- Prepare reports and presentations on data collected through interviews and research:
- Prepare a report on the key factors impacting the Massachusetts Dairy Industry, leveraging existing MDAR and other Massachusetts dairy reports,
- Outline the most pressing needs for the sustainability of dairy farms, including succession planning, land protection, grant opportunities, and market access and protection status of the dairy's land base.
- Work with MDAR GIS to prepare an analysis of the protection status of dairy farmland,
- Outline needs related to climate mitigation and resilience on dairy farms, to contribute to a proposal for supporting the Massachusetts dairy industry in meeting climate goals,
- Present reports and findings to the MDAR dairy sustainability committee and MA Advisory committee to NE-DBIC for feedback, and present final policy or programmatic recommendations to the following groups:
o Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers
o Interagency Land Committee
o Dairy Promotion Board
o Agricultural Lands Preservation Committee
o Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center
Minimum Qualifications Required
- Strong communication and writing skills are essential.
- Project management experience, with excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to effectively communicate in writing and orally.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to read, understand, and relay relevant information in an engaging and easy-to- understand manner to agency staff and key stakeholders.
- An interest in Agriculture and the dairy industry in Massachusetts
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in writing and communication.
- Experience with database management, including Access and Excel.
- Awareness of, or experience with, dairy farms or other agricultural operations
- The ideal candidate will have experience, education or a strong interest in subjects relating to Agriculture/Land Use.
Project Management:
The Agricultural Sustainability Intern will support the Dairy Sustainability Team to manage responsibilities, as mentioned above, related to the collection of data regarding the viability of dairies and the protection status of their land base.
Outreach:
This work will include communication to individual stakeholders, agency personnel, and partner organizations.
See minimum and preferred qualifications.
There are no benefits with this position, except earned sick leave.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
