Intern - Crop Technician

Keystone Cooperative, Inc.; West Point (AL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Cooperative, Inc. is seeking a Crop Technician Intern to assist with crop diagnostics and field activities during the growing season. Responsibilities include scouting, UAV data collection, tissue sampling, soil moisture probing, soil sampling, and maintaining field signs.

Interns will travel throughout the territory (100%), spend most of the time in fields (75%), with some time in training, tours, and events. A flexible work schedule and professional development activities are provided.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in accredited college or university.
• Interest in agricultural/agronomy field considered.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.
• Ability to use GPS software, iPad, and field equipment.

Responsibilities

• Scouting: create scouting reports identifying weeds, insects, diseases, growth stages, stand counts, and field anomalies.
• UAV Flights: utilize drones to observe, imagery, and data collection.
• Tissue Sampling: collect corn or soybean tissue and prepare for testing.
• Soil Moisture Probing: perform soil moisture tests and report data; install moisture monitoring equipment.
• Soil Sampling: collect soil nitrate samples for in-season nutrient monitoring.
• Field Signs: organize, place, and remove field signs.

Skills

Outdoor work

Organization

Self-motivation

Agronomy interest

Driver's license

GPS/iPad usage

Education

Currently enrolled in accredited college/university

Tools

GPS software

iPad

Field equipment

Job description

Job Description

Position Overview

Crop Technician Interns perform various crop diagnostic jobs throughout the growing season. These activities include but are not limited to scouting fields, collecting tissue samples, soil moisture probing, soil sampling, performing UAV flights, and assisting with field signs. Crop Technician Interns play an important role in the services offered by Keystone Cooperative to make timely, informed, and economic decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Include but are not limited to

• Scouting: Create scouting reports that identify weeds, insects, diseases, growth stages, stand counts, and any other field anomalies. Report observations back to Ag Tech team.
• UAV Flights: Utilize drones to make aerial observations, produce imagery, and collect data.
• Tissue Sampling: Collect corn or soybean tissue and prepare for testing.
• Soil Moisture Probing: Perform soil moisture tests in designated fields and report data back to Ag Tech team. Install moisture monitoring equipment used to make watering recommendation on irrigated field.
• Soil Sampling: Soil nitrate sample collection used to monitor in-season nutrient availability.
• Field Signs: Organize, place, and remove field signs.
• 100% travel in territory.
• 75% in fields, 25% in training/tours/events.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Weekly professional development activities.

Skills and Qualifications

• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time and under all weather conditions.
• Above average organizational skills, ability to understand new concepts, and learn quickly.
• Complete work with little or no supervision in a timely manner; self-motivated.
• Agronomy students preferred, however any student with a genuine interest in working in the agricultural/agronomy field is considered.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and reliable vehicle.
• Ability to use an iPad, GPS software, and field equipment.

Compensation

• Hourly (Competitive Wage).
• Mileage Reimbursement following IRS Standard Rate.
• Drone License education and exam fee reimbursement.
• Incentives/Awards for interns who complete internship.

Education and Experience

• Currently enrolled in accredited college or university.