Internship Description:

Site for the internship would be the Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph, LA. The station is near the Mississippi River, with soils associated with recent alluvium deposits from the river. Primary research and extension demonstrations are focused on all aspects of production of the major crops grown in northeast Louisiana, including corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum, rice, and peanuts. Cropping systems and best management practices being researched, validated, and demonstrated include pest management, tillage systems, irrigation, nutrient management, cover crops, precision agriculture, and crop variety evaluations.

The Northeast Research Station has 2 houses that have been approved for women’s and men’s housing for internships and special topics courses for summer classes.

Intern Qualifications:

Participants must have a valid driver license, possess a positive attitude, good work ethics and be willing to conduct field work in weather conditions common in Louisiana. Students must agree to training and obtaining certifications during the internship to meet AgCenter policies regarding equipment operation and maintenance, safety, and required laws for crop protection.

Primary Contact:

James Hendrix
Conservation Agronomist, Northeast Region
Louisiana Master Farmer Program/Environmental Education
PO Box 438 4589 HWY 605
St. Joseph, LA 71366-0438
Office: 318-766-3769
Fax: 318-766-4278
Mobile: 318-235-7198

Other Mentors:

• Dr. Donnie Miller, Professor, Weed Scientist, Northeast Research Station
• Dr. Matt Foster, Assistant Professor - State Corn, Cotton, and Grain Sorghum Specialist
• Dennis Burns, Research Coordinator, Northeast Research Station, County Agent, GIS Technical Area Agent
• Dr. Lisa Fultz, Associate Professor, Soil Microbiology of Cropping Systems, LSU School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences
• Dr. Brenda Tubana, Professor, Soil Fertility, LSU School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences
• Dr. Donna Gentry, Coordinator, Louisiana Master Farmer Program
• Peters Egbedi, Graduate Research Assistant, Northeast Research Station

Number of Intern Positions: 1-2

Primary Tasks, Duties, and/or Responsibilities:

Interns will work with staff at the station in all aspects of research and demonstrations, including planning, designing, conducting and evaluation. Tasks will include daily activities required for compliance in research and demonstration protocols in crop production, such as site preparations, planting, crop and site management, harvesting, data collection, recording and analysis of data, and participation in field days, tours, educational outreach, and partner agency collaborations. Participants will be trained in equipment operation and maintenance, seed and chemical calibrations, plant protection application and safety.

Success Measure or End of Project Deliverables:

Interns will understand the importance of following directions and designated protocols for trials and the potential disastrous results that may follow otherwise. Students will demonstrate confidence in applying knowledge gained throughout the internship, improving time management skills, resulting in commendable completion of tasks assigned. In addition, a positive work attitude working individually or in teams are important for career success. Participants will better understand the importance of following safety rules on farms, especially research operations that are testing new technologies. Students will better understand the role and importance of research and demonstrations in the production of food and fiber in a system that is environmentally sound, economically feasible and socially acceptable.