The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc. (Hughes Center) and the Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI) are seeking law and undergraduate student applicants interested in careers in agriculture, environmental conservation, forestry, and/or policy for the 2025 Russell Brinsfield Agro-Ecology Summer Internship program. Multiple students will be selected for this six-week internship, which includes a competitive salary and the opportunity to interact with leaders from the agricultural and environmental communities, as well as state agencies. The internship will begin with an orientation session at Wye Research Center, and the interns will attend periodic meetings at Wye. The remainder of the time, the interns will work virtually or attend meetings offsite.
The internship will introduce you to a number of complex natural resource issues, including but not limited to, Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, agricultural practices, and local food production. During the course of the internship, you will meet diverse stakeholders and engage in the complex interaction between the agricultural and the environmental conservation and policy communities. You will be introduced to legislators and staff at state agencies as you work to resolve challenges. The internship is funded by organizations seeking to build leaders who are able to appreciate all sides of complex issues and develop solutions that consider environmental, economic, and industry needs as well as the needs of policymakers.
Interns will:
- Work with Hughes Center and ALEI’s staff on research projects related to current agriculture, environmental, and forestry issues;
- Participate in the multidisciplinary activities of the Hughes Center;
- Attend regional leadership meetings for agriculture and natural resources;
- Have the opportunity to engage with researchers, state officials and agencies, environmental, and agricultural leaders;
- Support ALEI’s staff in the creation and administration of legal education resources and programs;
- Support Hughes Center and ALEI staff in developing proposals for future projects; and
- Enhance their research, communication, public speaking, and time management skills.
Interns must:
- Be a licensed driver with their own reliable transportation; and
- Be able to attend regional events throughout the summer. Some weekend or evening hours may be required.
Compensation: Interns will be paid $19.91 an hour for a 40-hour work week.
To Apply: Send your resume, cover letter, and at least one academic and professional letter of recommendation and reference.
- Undergraduate students should send their application to Nancy Nunn at nnunn@umd.edu.
- Law students should send their application to Megan Todd at motodd@law.umaryland.edu.
Deadline to Apply: February 28, 2025
About the Hughes Center:
Founded in 1999, the Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology’s mission is to provide leadership to promote environmentally sound and economically viable agriculture and forestry as Maryland’s preferred land use through research, outreach and collaboration. The Russell Brinsfield Internship Program is named for the Center’s founding executive director, Dr. Russell Brinsfield.
Learn more about the Hughes Center at: go.umd.edu/HughesCenter
About the Agriculture Law Education Initiative:
ALEI provides legal education and resources to Maryland’s farm community to explain agricultural law as it evolves to keep pace with the changing realities of farmers and the agricultural industry in the 21st century. An important part of this education is the network of natural resource protection laws that intersect with agriculture, helping to strengthen both farming and environmental quality.
Learn more about ALEI at: umaglaw.org
For more information, including a video presentation of former interns’ work, visit:
