“Engaging Undergraduates in Research and Extension Training using Technology and Experiential Learning to Enhance Sustainability of Food Production Systems” is a collaboration between the UMass Extension Fruit Team and the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, funded by USDA, NIFA’s Workforce Development initiative Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU). This transdisciplinary internship engages students from UMass, local Community Colleges and High Schools in a rigorous 14 week program where they learn ways in which they can become part of our sustainable agricultural system, meet their future professional peers- and get paid to do it.
Students who participate in the program learn to plan, implement and analyze an applied research project, visit research facilities like the Animal Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) laboratory in Cape Cod, MA, all while building a repertoire of knowledge and skills to propel their previous curiosities and newfound passions into their future endeavors.
Currently in its fourth year, REEU has thus far trained a total of 21 interns from surrounding Community Colleges, High Schools and the UMass community in the ways of Extension Services and agricultural research. This year’s cohort consists of five UMass students, one Mount Wachusett Community College student and two Greenfield High School students. Whether it be a knack for entomological education for kids, a wonder about how weed suppression methods affect soil associated with apple tree roots, or finding out how to increase the biodiversity of a wildflower planting, the program allows each student to investigate their interests and use what they learn to achieve real-world answers.
With the opportunity to connect to a network of Massachusetts state growers, previous interns, and mentors on the programming team, this unique experience inspires interns to pursue graduate school, careers in Extension, policy, farming, academia, private industry and so much more.
For more information, to view previous student research and to find a link to the yearly podcast please visit https://ag.umass.edu/reeu-program