Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative has a great opportunity for a student pursuing a degree in agronomy, agricultural science and technology, or other related field to join our team as an Agronomy Intern. The Agronomy Intern will assist the agronomic research team and Agriculturalists with crop production activities. Research activities include variety testing, nutrient management trials, disease trials, and weed control trials. Agriculturalist activities include field measurements, plant sampling, and crop production documentation. The Agronomy Intern will work with a team of agriculturalists, researchers, and farmers to help SMBSC reach its mission by maximizing the quality of sugar beets produced and their storage while increasing the efficiency of harvest.

Field Observations

• Collect stand counts and plot notes from research trials
• Maintain trails including tractor operation, tilling, and irrigation
• Obtain plant and soil samples from fields according to protocols

Equipment Management

• Operate, maintain, and repair field equipment

Communication

• Communicate with Agriculturalists and Research personnel to complete assigned tasks in an accurate and timely manner
• Communicate with seasonal employees to complete tasks and maintain trails

Core Competencies and Skill Reequipments:

• General understanding of Agronomic research, crop production and agricultural maintenance

• Ability to gather information by observing, receiving, and obtaining information from relevant sources
• Ability to operate tractors, tillers, and vehicles along with troubleshooting basic equipment malfunctions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with internal and external audiences and maintain these relationships to advance the overall public image of SMBSC
• Ability to communicate with a variety of audiences with diverse backgrounds
• Intermediary Microsoft Office Skills, Ability to create and edit Microsoft Word documents along with use formulas and input data into Microsoft Excel

Required Education and Experience

• Pursuing a degree in agronomy, agricultural science and technology or other related fields
• Valid driver’s license

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain comprehensive lists of activities, duties or responsibility that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibility and activities may change any time with or without notice.