International Year of the Woman Farmer Intern

Sponsoring organizations: Pennsylvania Women's Agricultural Network (PA WAGN) & Ag Sciences Global, Penn State

About the Pennsylvania Women's Agricultural Network (PA WAgN)
The primary purposes of the Pennsylvania Women's Agricultural Network are to encourage and support women in agriculture; provide and strengthen networks for women in agriculture; provide educational and mentoring opportunities for women in agriculture; raise community awareness of agricultural-related issues and concerns; and sustain farming livelihoods. The network, hosted at Penn State, is comprised of women farmers, agricultural professionals, agricultural educators, and informed consumers committed to supporting and providing educational opportunities to women working in agriculture and related businesses.

About Ag Sciences Global
Ag Sciences Global, under the direction of the College’s Assistant Dean, Dr. Deanna Behring, is home to the Women’s Engagement in Agriculture Research and Education (WEARE) initiative. WEARE is a network of interdisciplinary scholars and researchers that initiate and respond to the new opportunities for research, instruction, and evidence-based outreach that investigate the role of women in agricultural and environmental sciences as a way of boosting agricultural productivity and growth. Dr. Behring and the WEARE team are currently working in concert with US and multilateral institutions to prepare for the 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.

Location of work: Penn State University Park campus, Ag Sciences Global Office

Job description:
International Year of the Woman Farmer:
In May 2024, the United Nations (UN) declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. IYWF intends to highlight actions to help women in agriculture increase access to credit and markets, land, educational and training opportunities, and to increase access to and the adoption of technology. IYWF shines a global spotlight on women in agriculture, highlighting the challenges women farmers encounter while cultivating change.

Intern duties and responsibilities:
The student Intern will support PA WAGN and Ag Sciences Global to prepare Penn State programming related to the IYWF initiative. The selected intern will have the opportunity to work closely with organizations around the world to coordinate deliverables for the events surrounding IYWF. Interns with interest and experience will also have the opportunity to work on developing podcasts and video materials.

Requirements: Strong applicants will have the following skills and experiences:

• Knowledge such as coursework and/or work or volunteer experience in the fields of women in agriculture, agricultural development, international development, food security, and related fields.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• The ability to deal effectively with others, including eliciting cooperation, and communicating across cultures.

Eligibility:

• Position is open to both undergraduate and Master's students in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident