Organic Career Network

Host Information

Welcome to the Organic Career Network (OCN) Internship Host page! Hosting an OCN intern provides a unique opportunity to mentor and develop emerging talent in organic agriculture while gaining a dedicated team member to support your organization’s projects. OCN runs three cohorts per year—Fall, Winter, and Summer—giving hosts flexibility in choosing the season that best aligns with their needs. By becoming a host, you contribute to building a skilled, diverse community within the organic sector, ensuring it continues to grow sustainably and inclusively.
Hosting an intern is not only an investment in the future of your organization, but also a contribution to the broader organic movement. OCN interns bring fresh perspectives, a passion for organic agriculture, and a willingness to learn, helping your organization grow and evolve while training the next generation of leaders.

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Host Application and Selection Process

Application Requirements

If you’re interested in hosting an OCN intern, you’ll need to submit an application detailing your organization’s mission, internship project goals, and the support you can provide to an intern. This information helps OCN ensure that internships align with our mission and provide meaningful learning experiences.

Selection Criteria

OCN selects host organizations based on:

  • Alignment with organic principles and values.
  • Ability to provide an educational and supportive internship experience.
  • Commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.

Timeline

  • Host Application Deadline: Friday, December 6, 2024
  • Host Application Review, Hiring & Onboarding: December 2024-January 2025
  • Target Intern Start Date: January 27, 2025

Apply to Host a Winter/Spring 2025 Intern

Host Support

The project covers the cost of 150 working hours at a rate of $15/hour for undergraduate students and $18/hour for graduate students. This is the minimum wage hosts must offer to be a part of the OCN. Additional hours must be covered by the Internship Host.OFA recognizes that hosting an intern is often time and resource intensive, especially for organizations with a very small staff. Acknowledging this challenge, OCN funds organizations a flat rate stipend to help subsidize the administrative and employee time-cost of hosting an intern.
Predominantly White-Led Nonprofits: $750BIPOC-Led Nonprofits: $1,000

Intern Support

We support interns through a cohort model designed to foster community, collaboration, and professional growth. Interns participate in three structured cohort sessions during their internship, including an orientation to set expectations and provide resources, a mid-point check-in to share progress and challenges, and a final session where interns present their experiences and accomplishments. This model ensures interns build connections with peers, gain valuable insights from their collective experiences, and receive tailored support to help them succeed in their organic agriculture career pathways.

Host Expectations

Intern Outreach and Recruitment

Building a strong pool of candidates is a collaborative effort. While OCN will conduct targeted outreach to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), hosts are expected to actively promote their internship opportunities through organizational newsletters, social media platforms, and professional networks.

Attend Host Onboarding Session

Attend the mandatory Host Onboarding Session to prepare for a successful internship cycle.

January 2025: TBD

Duration and Structure

OCN internships typically last 10 weeks, with interns working approximately 15–20 hours per week. Projects should be designed to build the intern’s skills while making a meaningful contribution to your organization. A balanced approach to hands-on experience and skill development is strongly encouraged.

To ensure a successful internship experience, hosts should:

  • Clearly define goals and expectations from the start.
  • Hold regular check-ins to monitor progress and address challenges.
  • Foster open communication, offering constructive feedback and support.
  • Cultivate a learning-friendly environment that encourages growth and exploration.

Intern Experience

As an OCN host, you play a key role in creating a positive and impactful internship experience. Hosts are responsible for:

  • Providing a structured and supportive learning environment.
  • Assigning meaningful, project-based work aligned with OCN’s mission.
  • Offering consistent mentorship, guidance, and feedback.
  • Serving as the primary contact for any program-related needs or issues.

Our internship has been funded! Now what?

Promote Your Internship Opportunity

  • Share Your Unique Link: Distribute the unique application link provided by OCN through your organization’s website, social media, and other channels to attract applicants.
  • OCN Recruitment Support: OCN actively recruits through networks such as HBCUs, TCUs, and HSIs. We’ll also promote your opportunity to our broader network to support a strong applicant pool

Review Applications & Conduct Interviews

  • Access Applications: Applications will begin coming in as soon as your position is posted. Hosts have full ownership over the review, interview, and hiring process.
  • Review and Shortlist: Evaluate applications and shortlist candidates based on their alignment with your project’s needs and goals.
  • Interview Candidates: Conduct interviews to assess fit, skills, and interest, selecting the best candidate for your internship.

Confirm Your Intern & Submit Cohort Form

  • Extend Offer: Once you’ve selected an intern, extend an offer and confirm their acceptance.
  • Intern Completes Cohort Form: Ensure your intern fills out and submits the semester’s Cohort Form. Note: Invoices cannot be processed until this form is submitted.

Submit Invoice

Complete Invoice Requirements: Follow the specific invoicing instructions provided by OCN. You will receive these instructions via email.

We love our intern! Can we extend the internship?

Host organizations may request a one-time extension per intern, subject to available funding. Extensions are available to current OCN interns who are performing well and contributing significantly to their assigned projects. Hosts must provide a clear rationale for the extension, demonstrating the value added for both the intern and the organization.
  • Full Extension: 150 additional hours
  • Half Extension: 75 additional hours
  • Quarter Extension: 37.5 additional hours (ideal if your intern needs a bit more time to complete or fully see through a project)
Please note that requesting an extension means the original job description remains in effect. For instance, if Jane Doe is currently an events intern, the extension cannot be used to shift her to a policy internship.

Extension FAQs

Can I apply for multiple extensions? Typically, only one extension request per internship term is permitted. Additional extensions are reviewed on a very limited basis.

Is additional funding available for extensions? OCN’s current funding covers only the original internship term. Host organizations are encouraged to explore alternative funding if needed.

Who should I contact if I have questions? For more information or assistance with the extension request process, please reach out to Ryann Monteiro at ryann@organicfarmersassociation.org

Submit an Extension Request