Current Openings
We currently have Intern Cohort position openings for the 2025 growing season. If you are interested in working with the Ross Student Farm, read the job descriptions below!
Annual Intern Cohort
Student farmers participating in our annual cohort program lead and participate in diversified vegetable, greenhouse, herb and cut flower production and harvest, along with marketing, community outreach, volunteer management, event planning and more. Student Farm interns are the ambassadors to the farm and lead many operations related to the farm including ensuring that safety, produce quality, and a fun work environment are maintained among co-workers, volunteers, Student Farm Club members, and courses that visit and work on the farm.
This is a paid, year-long position for full-time students that begins each spring semester with a required 2-credit course and continues into the fall with part-time work (full-time summer work is optional). Applications open in mid-September each year and positions are filled on a rolling basis throughout each fall semester, for the coming growing season.
Fall Farm Crew
Students participating in seasonal farm crew positions gain a variety of entry-level farming skills, including harvesting, washing and packing produce for distribution to campus dining and our CSA direct-to-consumer sales program. Fall farm crew members also participate in transplanting crops into fields, cultivation, weeding, and general farm clean-up and maintenance. This is a paid, seasonal position open to full-time students for the fall semester, generally from mid-August to mid-November. Applications open in July each year and positions are filled on a rolling basis throughout the summer term.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps members work with the SFSN to support our mission to strengthen our local food systems through education about and direct engagement with food system sustainability, food security, and the growth and promotion of local foods. AmeriCorps positions involve collaboration with students, faculty, community organizations and volunteers to design, implement and evaluate programs that support local food systems. Some other roles include supporting student leaders with farm and program tasks, assisting with food donations, and leading farm tours and volunteer visitors. AmeriCorps terms vary in duration, from a part-time 100-hour position, up to a full-time 1700-hour position. Both current Penn State students and non-students are eligible.
Community Service Federal Work Study
Community Service Federal Work Study (CSFWS) positions are paid project-based positions that encompass a variety of food systems topics. These initiatives are designed to serve our local community, but are flexible depending on student interest and capacity. Students could support community growing, local farms, food security, food system education, and more. CSFWS positions are available to full-time students who qualify financially based on FAFSA, and are open throughout the year. Email Leslie (lrp143@psu.edu) to inquire and see if you qualify.
Communications Team
Our communications team consists of two paid student interns: a graphic design intern and a communications intern. The graphic design intern is responsible for overseeing the visual identity of the Student Farm as it appears online, in print, and in official promotional materials. The communications intern is responsible for initiating and managing digital, print, and creative media for the SFSN and developing written content. The two positions work closely with the SFSN director to design and create our public communications. Each position is a year-long internship, with good possibility of continuation for multiple years, and are open to full-time students. Positions generally open when a current intern is approaching graduation.