Eastern will provide the student intern with an organized and supervised educational experience associated with the college’s Agriculture Operation.

The internship will allow the student to contribute to the organization as a functioning member of the staff with specific responsibilities including educational activities, youth events and manual labor.  The summer internship program begins the last week in May and ends the last of July.  The intern must enroll in a one hour credit special topics course.

The intern will be supervised by a mentor responsible for providing direction and supervision to guide the intern in gaining practical experiences in a variety of activities associated with Eastern’s Agriculture Operations. 

Types of Experiences

The intern will work closely with the agriculture staff in establishing a management intensive grazing (MIG) program, gain practical experiences in beef and swine production, meat processing, and harvesting warm-season forages.

Learning Objectives – Specific learning objectives are:

1. Forage Grazing Systems
   a. Subdivide pastures into small paddocks using electric fencing
   b. Establish a grazing plan for improved forage utilization
2. Agriculture Animal Management
   a.  Beef Cattle
        1.  Beef Cattle Finishing
        2.  Beef Cattle Nutrition
   b.  Swine
        1.  Swine Nutrition
        2.  Swine Farrowing
3. Forage Harvesting
   a.  Maintenance of Equipment
   b.  Equipment Operation
   c. Quality/Quantity Management
       1.  Soil Fertility Testing
       2.  Forage Sampling and Quality Testing
4. Meat Processing
   a.  Assist in processing meat products

Special Projects

Two special projects are being developed to allow the intern to improve their decision making abilities and leadership skills. 

1. Each summer Eastern hosts a camp for FFA and 4-H members interested in improving their knowledge/skill in an agriculture area. The intern will be responsible for assisting camp superintendents of the various judging camps.
2. Design, construct and maintain a "Corn Maze” in association with Eastern’s Agriculture Tourism project which will be used by youth in our area.

Mentoring

Mr. Troy Walker, Agriculture Operations Manager, will serve as the intern’s mentor and representative for Eastern.

Pay

Intern will be paid the minimum hourly wage. There will be a $1000 scholarship added to supplement the hourly salary.  In addition to compensation, housing will be provided for the intern.

For more information contact – Mr. Troy Walker:   twalker@eosc.edu

2008 was the first year the Agriculture Division at Eastern Oklahoma State College has offered a summer internship. The experience was an excellent opportunity for the two students who participated and  a valuable asset to the Agriculture Department.

2008 Summer Interns were Karen Thompson, TX, and Hailey Thurlkill, AR.  Both young ladies will be attending Eastern during the Fall 08 semester, majoring in Agricultural Education.

Kathryn Ashby, Panola, OK, was also employed on the college farm through the Choctaw Nation Summer Youth Work Program.

The Agriculture Division would like to say “Thank You” to the young ladies.  “You provided a great service to Eastern”.