FIC FARMLAND PROTECTION RESEARCH INTERN

American Farmland Trust; Northampton (MA); Remote; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

American Farmland Trust is seeking an entry-level Farmland Protection Research Intern to assist the Farmland Information Center with tracking nationwide farmland protection efforts. The role is fully remote with optional in-person work from Northampton, MA, and starts in January 2027.

Expect 10–15 hours weekly for about 12 weeks, with potential extension into Summer 2027. Responsibilities include surveying state programs, collecting land trust data, monitoring responses, and performing outreach.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a bachelor's or graduate degree program in agriculture, environmental studies, public policy, land use planning or conservation.
• Familiarity with Excel and strong communication skills.
• High ethical standards, integrity, transparency and confidentiality.
• Ability to meet commitments and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Survey state-level programs that purchase conservation easements to protect land.
• Collect information on land trusts' farmland protection efforts.
• Monitor response rates from public programs and land trusts.
• Conduct outreach via email and phone to land trusts.
• Compile survey data in Excel and assist with policy research tasks.

Skills

Excel familiarity

Communication skills

Ethics/integrity

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's or graduate degree program in relevant field

Tools

Office365 (Outlook, SharePoint, Teams)

SurveyMonkey

Excel (advanced)

Job description

Job Overview

Job Details: Level: Entry, Job Location: AFT Northampton Office - Northampton, MA 01060, Position Type: Internship, Salary Range: $15.00 - $20.00 Hourly

Who We Are

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and helped thousands of farm families, primarily through programs that increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access. Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities.

Farmland Information Center (FIC)

The FIC is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection that serves people working to save farm and ranch land for agriculture. It is a project of AFT, maintained on behalf of and with support from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The FIC website (www.farmlandinfo.org) offers a comprehensive collection of resources about farmland and ranchland protection, on-farm conservation and agricultural viability.

The Position

The Farmland Protection Research Intern will assist the Farmland Information Center with tracking farmland protection efforts nationwide and conducting relevant policy research. This position is fully remote, though there may be optional opportunities for occasional work based out of American Farmland Trust’s Northampton, Massachusetts, office. Preference will be given to candidates based in the area. The internship start date is in January 2027. Interns are expected to attend regular check‑in meetings with their supervisor by video call to report on progress and ask questions. Typically, internships involve 10-15 hours of work per week for approximately 12 weeks. There may be an option to extend the internship through Summer 2027.

What You Will Be Working On

• Surveying state‑level programs that purchase agricultural conservation easements to protect agricultural land;
• Collecting information on land trusts’ farmland protection efforts;
• Monitoring survey response rates from public programs and land trusts;
• Conducting outreach via email and by phone to land trusts;
• Compiling survey response data in Excel;
• Completing policy research tasks as assigned.

Interns will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about policies and programs that protect farmland and ranchland;
• Gain an understanding of issues facing farmland protection professionals nationwide;
• Interact with farmland protection and conservation professionals at public entities and/or land trusts.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Candidates should be currently enrolled in a bachelor's or graduate‑level degree program with a focus on agriculture, environmental studies, public policy, land use planning, and/or conservation.
• Familiarity with Excel.
• Strong communication skills.
• A high level of ethics, integrity, transparency, and trustworthiness.
• Ability to keep commitments and maintain confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in agricultural land conservation and familiarity with land use issues is helpful.
• Data entry and policy research experience.
• Familiarity with Office365 including Outlook, SharePoint & Teams.
• Familiarity with SurveyMonkey.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals and teams.

Eligibility

• Legally authorized to work in the US.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Enrolled in a degree‑seeking program at an accredited college or university and possess at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Compensation & Location

Compensation: $15 to $20 per hour, depending on education and experience.

Location: Position will be remote; based out of Northampton, MA, office.