2025 Internship List
- Adams County 4-H Bilingual Education and Evaluation Internship
- Lead Mentor: Liz Werner
- College:
- Primary Topic: 4-H & Youth
- Other Topics: 4-H & Youth
- Primary Location: Adams
- Other Locations: Statewide
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: Adams County 4-H seeks a bilingual (Spanish/English) intern to:
Partner with a youth development organization in Adams County who serves our Latinx population in facilitating weekly enrichment programs for Latinx youth
Apply a variety of evaluation methods of the programming
In the summer of 2024, three bilingual interns in Adams County initiated a partnership between Adams County 4-H and two Boys & Girls Club sites within Adams County. They provided weekly, bilingual, 4-H STEM and Health & Wellbeing programming in partnership with staff at these sites. We seek to continue and strengthen this partnership. Our 2025 intern will facilitate and evaluate weekly programming at these two Boys & Girls Club sites using 4-H curriculum that they have adapted to the Spanish-speaking youth.
Adams County 4-H currently uses evaluation methods inconsistently. We seek an intern who will research the most relevant and comprehensive evaluation practices in the fields of 4-H and youth education in general, apply the various techniques that surface through their research to programming at the Boys & Girls Clubs, and by the end of the summer, produce a well-substantiated recommendation to us for the evaluation techniques that Adams County 4-H should employ in our Outreach & Enrichment Programs going forward.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: In applying for this internship, Adams County CSU Extension 4-H hopes to be matched with a student who will work with our team to accomplish two of our goals: weekly bilingual programming for youth and a research-informed recommendation of a programming evaluation method. We hope that, by providing and evaluating Spanish-language programming, the intern will strengthen our partnership with Boys & Girls Club and expand our reach to linguistically diverse youth in Adams County. In the process of researching evaluation practices currently used in the field of youth education, we hope the intern will find and begin implementing an evaluation method that we may then apply to all of our 4-H programming.
- Stakeholder: The primary stakeholder for this internship are linguistically diverse youth within Adams County. A secondary stakeholder is the Boys & Girls Clubs, who have established themselves as a trusted service provider to families in our community.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will have the opportunity to learn transferable skills as they plan, deliver, and evaluate programming. The intern will develop their communication and teamwork skills, build professional relationships, and grow their professional network as they communicate and coordinate with office colleagues, diverse audiences, and partners. This internship will allow the intern to gain a deeper understanding of CSU Extension 4-H, the methods we currently use to deliver on our land grant mission, and the types of partnerships we forge in our communities. The intern will have the opportunity to innovate on our current methods and bring their unique academic, cultural, and research-based perspectives to our work.
Title: Adams County 4-H Bilingual Education and Evaluation Internship
- Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change Science Communications Internship
- Lead Mentor: Maria Vicini
- College: Warner College of Natural Resources
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Horticulture
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Arapahoe
- About Location: On-campus
- Internship Overview: The Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) Network develops climate-adaptive forest management strategies across 14 Network sites. This Extension internship will support the Network's efforts to communicate research findings and climate adaptation strategies to diverse audiences. The intern will have the opportunity to participate and lead efforts related to development of a communication strategy, adaptive silviculture website content creation, K-12 curriculum development, and outreach projects, such as creating Story Maps on the ASCC sites and climate adaptation strategies. Through these projects, the intern will collaborate with local researchers, Extension specialists, forest managers, and others to effectively develop science communication materials that highlight our three Colorado ASCC sites. In addition, the student will have the chance to work with the horticultural Extension specialist mentor to develop additional hands-on horticulture projects for the local community. The position provides ample opportunity to build science delivery skills, build relationships with local forest managers and scientists, and provide a meaningful contribution to regional climate change adaptation communication.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Climate change necessitates collaboration and an understanding of how foresters can begin to adapt management to meet the needs of a climatically-altered future. The Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) Network seeks to understand what climate adaptive management looks like in different forest types by bringing local experts, scientists and land managers together to develop experimental forest management approaches for specific forests, and then continues to assess the outcomes of these different treatments.
Engaging broader audiences surrounding climate adaptation in forest management is crucial for Network success and our applied research efforts. This internship position will help with science communication efforts, including strategy, content creation, and outreach efforts for our ASCC Colorado sites. There will also be the opportunity for the intern to develop an additional hands-on field component via horticultural projects with Lisa Mason, the horticultural extension agent.
Our student intern will work closely with mentors, ASCC Network personnel and members of the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science to produce novel communication and science education materials for the ASCC project’s three Colorado sites. Projects will involve developing communication materials that increase the awareness of the latest forest management updates at the Colorado sites. The student will have the opportunity to connect with local managers and site leads for the three Colorado sites and take the lead on science delivery efforts that interest them most.
The overarching goals of this internship position are to:
Assess and summarize applied research related to climate change adaptation and forest management in Colorado;
Provide a bridge between scientists/practitioners/land managers and diverse audiences interested in climate-adaptive forest management strategies;
Develop communications materials to tell the story of our work in Colorado;
Effectively communicate lessons learned from the ASCC Network sites with diverse audiences interested in applying climate adaptation actions in on-the-ground management.
- Stakeholder: This internship position will provide outreach and education to foresters, silviculturists, scientists, and other stakeholders internal and external to the ASCC Network through a variety of communications materials. Key materials will generally be developed for those in the natural resources field such as foresters that are interested in learning more about climate-adaptive forest management demonstrations. This may include flyers, website updates, presentations, blog posts, education models, ArcGIS story maps, and other written materials. Finally, we’ll address the USFS Climate Action Plan goal of increasing climate literacy through climate change adaptation 101 outreach materials, aimed at private land owner audiences and natural resource professionals working with landowners.
The student will engage with forest managers, site leads, researchers, and Extension mentors, building local connections and expertise. This internship offers the chance to build science communication skills, deepen applied forest ecology knowledge, and network with local stakeholders.
- Learning Outcomes: Through this internship, the student will:
Gain considerable understanding of climate-adaptive silviculture and Colorado forest management, including terminology and climate change impacts on Colorado forest types.
Build experience in science delivery and synthesizing applied research related to climate change and forest science.
Apply skills in communication science to diverse audiences, such as scientists, managers, practitioners, and natural resource partners.
Title: Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change Science Communications Internship
- Addressing the Veterinarian Shortage in Rural Southwestern Colorado
- Lead Mentor: Emily Lockard
- College:
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Montezuma
- Other Locations: Larimer,Mesa
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: This internship will work with field and on campus mentors to address the issues related to a shortage of rural veterinarians by identifying needs of producers, livestock owners, pet owners and veterinarians in the rural SW Colorado region. They will also survey and interview CSU veterinary students to learn what is preventing them from practicing in a rural area like SW CO following graduation.
Through this project the intern will also learn about the role Extension and the Western Slope Diagnostic Lab play in supporting rural animal owners through on-site visits and mentorship.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: This project's goal is to learn about the needs of SW CO as it relates to a shortage of veterinarians. We aim to learn from different perspectives (producers/livestock owners, pet owners, veterinarians) so that we can find actionable solutions to this issue.
The scope of this project will focus on Southwestern Colorado, but if that scope is too narrow, we can expand further to include Western Colorado.
Objectives:
1) Identify needs of producers, pet owners, veterinarians in the rural SW Colorado region.
2) Work towards identifying solutions through surveys and on-site visits.
3) Work with on campus mentor to survey and interview CSU veterinary students to learn what is preventing them from practicing in a rural area like SW CO following graduation.
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with veterinarians in private practice, livestock owners, pet owners, CSU vet students, on campus veterinarians, sale barn owners, brand inspectors and others who are involved in the care of animals in rural SW Colorado.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will learn skills related to conducting and interpreting surveys and gain understanding of the motivations and needs of veterinarians at multiple stages of their education and career.
The intern will also gain skills and knowledge related to the work of diagnostic laboratory medicine and campus-based Extension veterinarians. The knowledge gained from working with a variety of veterinarians will give an intern great insight into the available paths of veterinary work in Colorado.
We can customize this internship based on an intern’s interest in learning more about professional opportunities in working with Extension, academia, and university-based diagnostic laboratories. Interns will gain client communication and problem-solving skills as they work in the field with CSU faculty/veterinarians and the livestock industry.
Title: Addressing the Veterinarian Shortage in Rural Southwestern Colorado
- Advanced Agrivoltaics Research and Extension in Colorado
- Lead Mentor: Mark Uchanski
- College: College of Agricultural Sciences
- Primary Topic: Horticulture
- Other Topics: Agriculture
- Primary Location: Boulder
- Other Locations: Larimer
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: Interest in agrivoltaics, the co-location of agriculture and photovoltaics (aka solar), has increased considerably in the past several years due to dwindling availability of residential and commercial solar development sites paired with an increased need to bolster renewable energy infrastructure in Colorado. Agrivoltaics production systems are still in their infancy and require further investigation to evaluate the feasibility of farmers raising crops/livestock and energy in the same space. One of the primary benefits of these systems is that solar panels shade (or partially shade) crops/livestock so that there is reduced temperature variability in the agricultural production system as compared to typical field conditions. Solar panel energy production efficiency can also improve with the evaporative cooling that plants provide.
An Extension intern is needed to help with plot maintenance and data collection at a newly established agrivoltaics research site at CATG located at the CSU ARDEC South facility in Fort Collins, CO (Larimer County). The intern will also travel to local farms with the Boulder County small acreage extension agent to expand their understanding of the various agrivoltaics applications and technologies currently in use in Colorado.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: 1. Evaluate and report on sweet corn crop responses from a CSU replicated research trial comparing advanced vertical bifacial photovoltaic modules orientation with an open field control at the Colorado Agrivoltaics Testing Grounds (CATG) demonstration site in Fort Collins, CO.
2. Empower Colorado farmers to make educated decisions when considering the adoption of an agrivoltaics system by providing a current, local, and science-based fact sheet of information and resources.
- Stakeholder: The intern will have the opportunity to attend local events with the Conservation District, Poudre Valley Community Farms, and Rocky Mountain Farmer Unions to meet with local producers. These meetings will help the intern gather feedback about the informational gaps that farmers and ranchers have around agrivoltaics.
- Learning Outcomes: 1. Collect data and report on sweet corn yield and quality from an ongoing field research site at CATG at the CSU ARDEC South facility in Fort Collins, CO.
2. Expand student’s professional network and understanding of agrivoltaics systems through site visits to farms and research sites in Larimer and Boulder Counties, Colorado.
3. Meet with local producers (farmers/ranchers) to understand needs and informational gaps around agrivoltaics.
4. Collaborate with extension personnel to publish a fact sheet about agrivoltaics in Colorado, including a visual inventory infographic, to disseminate to growers interested in expanding their existing operations.
5. Gain experience communicating research and extension issues through the preparation and presentation of a poster for the Extension Poster Session Forum.
Title: Advanced Agrivoltaics Research and Extension in Colorado
- Alternative Crops, Alternative Markets: Climate Smart Commodities in the San Luis Valley
- Lead Mentor: Madeline Wilson
- College:
- Primary Topic: Food Systems
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Rio Grande
- Other Locations: Alamosa
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: The San Luis Valley is under severe water stress, and the need for profitable, drought tolerant crops has emerged amongst growers and stakeholders alike. At nearly 8000’ elevation with less than 7� of precipitation, growers are heavily dependent on groundwater for irrigation. Three years of deficit irrigation research at the San Luis Valley Research Center and the development of enterprise budgets during a 2024 CSU summer internship indicate that supply chain and market development are crucial for the viability of alternative crops, specifically dry beans and small grains. For SLV alternative crops to be competitive in broader markets, one solution is to add value through local processing.
This internship, based at the San Luis Valley Research Center, will assist with (a) stakeholder coordination through educational workshops and (b) market research for local bean and grain processing. The intern will work closely with CDA Markets Division (Climate Smart Programs), the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Hub, and other local stakeholders to conduct market research and facilitate meetings with growers.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Project Scope:
This ten-week internship will conduct market research pertaining to the development of local bean and grain processing in the San Luis Valley. In cooperation with state and local partners, the intern will split their time between market research and stakeholder engagement. The intern will assist in the identification of different models for processing and value-added facilities, the identification of competitors and existing resources, the compilation of facilities and equipment estimates, the development of marketing strategies, and the facilitation of stakeholder workshops.
Internship Goals:
1. Develop an understanding of deficit irrigation alternative crops (production practices, processing, markets).
2. Develop an understanding of state-wide and regional food business players
3. Cooperate with CDA and Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center
4. Build ag and natural resources project management skillset
Internship Objectives:
1. Conduct market research on bean and grain processing and value-added facilities
2. Engage with regional stakeholders through interviews, field visits, and meetings
3. Assist in the facilitation of educational workshops
- Stakeholder: • Colorado Department of Agriculture:
o Susan Enfield
o Robert Sakata
• Rio Grande Water Conservation District
• Rio Grande Basin Roundtable
• County Commissioners
o Saguache
o Alamosa
o Rio Grande
o Costilla
o Conejos
• Producers and food businesses
o 719 Produce
o Tuxedo Corn Company
o Rye Resurgence Project
o Tomorrow’s Bread
o Acequias Institute
o Other SLV Growers
- Learning Outcomes: The learning outcomes anticipated include
1. Production and processing techniques for alternative crops
2. Marketing barriers and solutions for alternative crops
3. Regional food business players
4. Project management skills
Professional development includes the development of project management skills, and networking with regional and statewide stakeholders. A position will be made available for a 2-year, full-time marketing position with Tuxedo Corn Company. This internship would be an excellent segway for that position.
Title: Alternative Crops, Alternative Markets: Climate Smart Commodities in the San Luis Valley
- Animal Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
- Lead Mentor: Kathy Whitman
- College: College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Statewide
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: This internship has been part of the Extension Summer Internship Program since its beginnings in 2018. The exact projects and design of each summer’s activities are planned based on needs and resources. We are asking for support of one full-time DVM student who has completed their first or second year of the DVM program. This summer, this student will work closely with Dan Frazen, the Emergency Management Coordinator for Colorado Department of Ag. He is developing a strong continuity of business plan within CDA, a regional Agricultural response team that can assist county and state first responders when needed, provides FEMA training for community volunteers and Extension personnel, and leads tabletop exercises at multiple levels to enhance community capabilities. Extension is an important part of community during disaster incidents so students will be working closely with the county, regional and state Extension personnel. The DVM student will be providing animal expertise and working with professionals with whom they will partner as a professional.
The research component of this internship is a smaller part of the experience than that of many other internships. In past years, the students have helped with the After Action HPAI Report, written animal disaster plans for different counties and producers, and developed communication plans for teaching animal owners how to prepare for their animals.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: (1) Understand Incident Command System that guides response to both Natural and Manmade Disasters (Natural hazards as well as infectious disease).
(2) Understand the particular risks of animal owners (pets, non-commercial livestock and commercial livestock) and how to prepare for these risks.
(3) Work with Emergency Managers to increase community preparedness and hasten recovery post-incident.
(4) Work on specific incidents when possible, help with tabletop exercises, and specific projects as needed by Extension and Dan Frazen.
(5) Assist State Veterinary Team if foreign animal disease outbreak involves Colorado animals (HPAI, ASF, FMD)
- Stakeholder: General public
Animal owners, both pet a livestock
First responders and emergency managers
Colorado Department of Ag personnel, State Veterinary Office, USDA-APHIS veterinarians
Extension personnel across Colorado
- Learning Outcomes: (1) Observation of animals, people and processes. How are they doing individually and as a team?
(2) Communication: especially stressful situations or when communicating with people under stress.
(3) Decision making: complex communities and incidents need input from numerous experts whose perceptions and priorities may differ to make decisions. Students will see how these decisions are made under pressure.
Title: Animal Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
- Archiving Our Stories: The Art of Ranching and Community Partners in Routt County
- Lead Mentor: Linda M. Meyer
- College: University-Wide Instructional Program
- Primary Topic: 4-H & Youth
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Routt
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: The Art of Ranching (AOR) is a collaborative community history project that works with 4-H youth and community members to research historical topics related to Colorado agriculture, making visible the agricultural labor and legacy of Colorado communities (https://artofranching.colostate.edu/). AOR is partnering with CSU Libraries to collect local historical materials for Routt County historical societies and museums, including the Tread of Pioneers Museum, Hayden Heritage Center and Museum, and the Yampa-Egeria Museum. For the past four years, the Art of Ranching project has collected interviews from Routt County agriculturalists. The project has amassed enough materials that it is critical that they be archived for the benefit of Routt County history partners and the state. Archiving these stories also provides the project with the opportunity to revisit earlier participants and continue collecting stories and digitizing historical materials, which will reinforce the relationship community members in Routt County have with this project. 
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The goals of this internship are to 1) train the intern in history education processes and protocols, 2) process and organize existing Art of Ranching archival materials and correlate these materials with other materials in the Agricultural and Natural Resources Collections of the CSU Archives, and 3) add further oral histories and digitized historical materials to existing participant collections.
The intern will work with Linda Meyer, the Archivist for Agricultural and Natural Resource Collections to 1) learn oral history archival processes and protocols by using them in a live project, 2) mentor one to two 4-H Youth in those protocols, 3) inventory and deliver existing Art of Ranching archival materials to CSU Libraries and secure the appropriate permissions forms for donation, and 4) meet with Routt County project participants to add further oral histories and digitized historical materials to existing collections.
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with Art of Ranching project Director Tami Eggers to make contact with project participants in Routt County. The intern will also work with one to two 4-H youth supervised by Tami and mentor them in the oral history and archival collection processes and protocols.  
- Learning Outcomes: By the end of the internship, the intern will have 1) learned oral history archival processes and protocols by using them in a real-world project, 2) mentored one to two 4-H youth in those protocols, 3) gained expertise in collecting and describing historical materials and securing appropriate permissions forms for donation to an archival repository, and 4) developed relationships with Routt County project participants through adding oral histories and digitized historical materials to existing collections. 
Title: Archiving Our Stories: The Art of Ranching and Community Partners in Routt County
- Avian Health Team Internship #1
- Lead Mentor: Kathy Whitman
- College: College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: 4-H & Youth
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Statewide
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: The internship will hire two DVM students who have finished their first or second year of the DVM program. They will work under Heather Reider, coordinator of the Colorado Avian Health Program (CAHP), gaining hands-on experience in avian health, biosecurity, and public outreach.
This internship involves fieldwork at poultry-related events and locations across Colorado, including swaps, shows, fairs, game bird facilities, backyard flocks, and commercial operations. Interns will conduct health checks, perform disease surveillance, and educate poultry owners on biosecurity measures and disease prevention.
Key activities include:
• Handling birds to perform health checks, collect diagnostic samples, and conduct field testing.
• Traveling statewide for outreach and disease surveillance efforts.
• Collaborating with the State Veterinarian and USDA-APHIS officials.
• Engaging in public education, including talks to 4-H students and families on bird health and biosecurity topics.
This internship combines practical experience with public engagement, offering a unique opportunity to support avian health and biosecurity in Colorado.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: This internship integrates students into the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and the Live Bird Market System (LBMS) in Colorado. The NPIP is a national program established in the 1930s to promote poultry health and food safety by certifying flocks as free of diseases such as Salmonella, Mycoplasma, and Avian Influenza (AIV). The LBMS includes events like swaps, fairs, shows, and auctions, where the CAHP conducts AIV surveillance and provides health and biosecurity education to the poultry community.
The goals of the internship are to:
• Provide veterinary students with exposure to essential skills and knowledge in poultry health.
• Build confidence in diagnostic sampling, disease surveillance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Offer meaningful opportunities to collaborate with professionals in regulatory and public health roles.
Interns will gain hands-on experience conducting disease surveillance, biosecurity inspections, and diagnostic sampling as part of the NPIP. At LBMS events, interns will perform AIV surveillance, health checks and engage with poultry owners to provide education on health and biosecurity practices. Additionally, interns will collaborate with the CAHP team, the State Veterinarian, and USDA-APHIS officials, contributing to poultry health regulation across Colorado.
- Stakeholder: Interns will work closely with several key stakeholders, including:
1. Poultry owners and producers, including backyard flock owners, game bird facilities, and commercial operations.
2. General public participants at swaps, shows, fairs, and auctions interested in buying or learning about poultry.
3. Veterinarians involved in treating poultry and regulating diseases in the poultry industry.
4. 4-H participants, families and youth programs focused on poultry
- Learning Outcomes: Anticipated Learning Outcomes:
• Students will strengthen their communication skills through direct engagement with poultry owners, veterinarians, and the public.
• Clinical skills will improve with hands-on experience in bird handling, health assessments, and diagnostic sampling.
• Students will develop teamwork and problem-solving abilities by managing long-distance travel, adapting to weather, traffic, and unexpected challenges in the field.
• Interns will gain experience representing CSU and the federal government through participation in the NPIP program.
Professional Development Opportunities:
• Certification as NPIP Field Testers, a nationally recognized credential with the poultry industry.
• For DVM students interested in poultry, this internship provides intensive exposure to poultry heath at CSU, a feature highlighted during the last CVMBS accreditation site visit in 2022.
• Opportunities to network with poultry producers, private veterinarians, and regulatory officials, allowing students to build a professional network for their future careers.
• Exposure to regulatory and public health roles, providing students with transferable skills for their veterinary careers.
Title: Avian Health Team Internship #1
- Avian Health Team Internship #2
- Lead Mentor: Kathy Whitman
- College: College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: 4-H & Youth
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Statewide
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: The internship will hire two DVM students who have finished their first or second year of the DVM program. They will work under Heather Reider, coordinator of the Colorado Avian Health Program (CAHP), gaining hands-on experience in avian health, biosecurity, and public outreach.
This internship involves fieldwork at poultry-related events and locations across Colorado, including swaps, shows, fairs, game bird facilities, backyard flocks, and commercial operations. Interns will conduct health checks, perform disease surveillance, and educate poultry owners on biosecurity measures and disease prevention.
Key activities include:
• Handling birds to perform health checks, collect diagnostic samples, and conduct field testing.
• Traveling statewide for outreach and disease surveillance efforts.
• Collaborating with the State Veterinarian and USDA-APHIS officials.
• Engaging in public education, including talks to 4-H students and families on bird health and biosecurity topics.
This internship combines practical experience with public engagement, offering a unique opportunity to support avian health and biosecurity in Colorado.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: This internship integrates students into the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and the Live Bird Market System (LBMS) in Colorado. The NPIP is a national program established in the 1930s to promote poultry health and food safety by certifying flocks as free of diseases such as Salmonella, Mycoplasma, and Avian Influenza (AIV). The LBMS includes events like swaps, fairs, shows, and auctions, where the CAHP conducts AIV surveillance and provides health and biosecurity education to the poultry community.
The goals of the internship are to:
• Provide veterinary students with exposure to essential skills and knowledge in poultry health.
• Build confidence in diagnostic sampling, disease surveillance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Offer meaningful opportunities to collaborate with professionals in regulatory and public health roles.
Interns will gain hands-on experience conducting disease surveillance, biosecurity inspections, and diagnostic sampling as part of the NPIP. At LBMS events, interns will perform AIV surveillance, health checks and engage with poultry owners to provide education on health and biosecurity practices. Additionally, interns will collaborate with the CAHP team, the State Veterinarian, and USDA-APHIS officials, contributing to poultry health regulation across Colorado.
- Stakeholder: Interns will work closely with several key stakeholders, including:
1. Poultry owners and producers, including backyard flock owners, game bird facilities, and commercial operations.
2. General public participants at swaps, shows, fairs, and auctions interested in buying or learning about poultry.
3. Veterinarians involved in treating poultry and regulating diseases in the poultry industry.
4. 4-H participants, families and youth programs focused on poultry
- Learning Outcomes: Anticipated Learning Outcomes:
• Students will strengthen their communication skills through direct engagement with poultry owners, veterinarians, and the public.
• Clinical skills will improve with hands-on experience in bird handling, health assessments, and diagnostic sampling.
• Students will develop teamwork and problem-solving abilities by managing long-distance travel, adapting to weather, traffic, and unexpected challenges in the field.
• Interns will gain experience representing CSU and the federal government through participation in the NPIP program.
Professional Development Opportunities:
• Certification as NPIP Field Testers, a nationally recognized credential with the poultry industry.
• For DVM students interested in poultry, this internship provides intensive exposure to poultry heath at CSU, a feature highlighted during the last CVMBS accreditation site visit in 2022.
• Opportunities to network with poultry producers, private veterinarians, and regulatory officials, allowing students to build a professional network for their future careers.
• Exposure to regulatory and public health roles, providing students with transferable skills for their veterinary careers.
Title: Avian Health Team Internship #2
- Bee Conservation and Outreach Using Bee Hotels
- Lead Mentor: Kyle Ruszkowski
- College: Warner College of Natural Resources
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Horticulture
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Denver
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: This internship focuses on evaluating bee hotel designs and plant-pollinator networks to support native bee conservation in urban and residential ecosystems. Native bees face significant challenges due to habitat loss and competition with exotic species, especially in cities where exotic bees often dominate. The intern will gain hands-on experience in the foundations of pollinator identification, horticultural practices, and the construction and maintenance of bee hotels across the CSU campus and Fort Collins. Additionally, the intern will aid with plant and pollinator surveys that will be used to construct plant-pollinator networks that will inform future pollinator conservation management. Through outreach events and collaboration with CSU Extension, the intern will engage the public, raising awareness about pollinator conservation while refining skills in science communication and public engagement. This experience will provide the intern with interdisciplinary training in ecology and outreach while also expanding their professional network through interactions with stakeholders from CSU and local government agencies.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Pollinators are essential to both food systems and ecosystems, but their decline has become a global concern driven by factors such as urbanization and land-use change. In response, various conservation interventions have been developed to support pollinator abundance and diversity. One such intervention is the use of bee nesting blocks, or “bee hotels,� designed to support cavity-nesting bees. In addition to their conservation function, bee hotels serve as valuable outreach tools to enhance public awareness and engagement in bee conservation. However, emerging evidence suggests that bee hotels, especially in urban environments, are often occupied by a high abundance of exotic bees, which may negatively impact native bee populations. This internship aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different bee hotel designs in conserving native bee species. Additionally, the internship will involve surveying plants and pollinators across Fort Collins to construct plant-pollinator networks that will inform management practice recommendations and guide future pollinator conservation efforts.
- Stakeholder: CSU Extension, City of Fort Collins, Fort Collins Natural Areas Department, Gardens on Spring Creek, CSU Horticulture Department, CSU Ecology Department
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will gain experience in the foundations of pollinator identification, horticultural practices related to pollinator gardens, and the design and construction of bee hotels. This internship will build on any existing knowledge of pollinator conservation, emphasizing both ecological and horticultural principles. Additionally, the intern will engage with professionals and the public, gaining practical experience in extension, horticulture, and ecology. Participation in outreach and community events will help the intern refine their public speaking, science communication, and engaged scholarship skills. Through these activities, the intern will not only develop a deeper understanding of the scientific aspects of pollinator conservation but also expand their professional network by interacting with industry and governmental professionals in the field.
Title: Bee Conservation and Outreach Using Bee Hotels
- Blooming Knowledge: Providing Education on Edible Flowers to Northern Colorado
- Lead Mentor: Chad Miller
- College: College of Agricultural Sciences
- Primary Topic: Horticulture
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Larimer
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: Edible flowers are a growing area of interest to consumers who are looking for new food to add to their diets, especially those edible products that have potential health benefits. Some of the health benefits can include anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties due to their antioxidant and polyphenol content. Consumers can find edible flowers at some retailers or alternatively, they can be grown in one’s backyard. Education through workshops and fact sheets can help consumers decide how to integrate edible flowers into their diets safely. The Colorado State University (CSU) Trial Gardens grow hundreds of varieties of plants each year and several of those species are edible. The Trial Gardens will serve as excellent resource (i.e., flower supply) to enhance the proposed internship project. Through providing educational events at the CSU Trial Gardens and CSU Extension booths at county farmers’ markets, information can be shared with thousands of visitors each year.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: This internship aims to expand on research performed on edible flowers by creating education events to meet our extension mission of the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture (HLA) program and CSU. A primary goal of the internship program will be to create and implement educational workshops and learn about consumer interest and knowledge about edible flowers at various community settings: farmers’ markets, CSU Trial Gardens, and a Master Gardeners’ workshop. At each of these events, the intern will also address the secondary goal of the workshops by assessing the workshops' effectiveness through survey tools. In this internship experience, the student intern will:
*Work with the Miller research group and CSU Extension to identify addressable knowledge gaps
*Prepare education materials for the workshops and presentations
*Coordinate and schedule at least one educational workshop with CSU Extension
*Assist in the maintenance of flower production for workshops
*Travel to education workshops at the CSU Trial Gardens and various farmer’s markets in Northern Colorado
*Survey education workshop attendees on knowledge of edible flowers
*Analyze survey results and prepare a report with the findings.
- Stakeholder: The student intern will have the opportunity to engage with many different stakeholders associated with CSU Extension and the CSU Trial Gardens including:
Office of Engagement and Extension
HLA Department (faculty and staff)
CSU Facilities
CSU Students
Northern Colorado Community Members
Master Gardeners
- Learning Outcomes: Through this internship experience, the intern will have the opportunity to further develop and gain skills in areas including communication, scientific writing, problem-solving, and organizational skills. An additional skill specific to this internship will be plant care as the intern will assist in maintaining workshop plant material and will learn to communicate plant care techniques in the written educational materials. With these skills, they will have the opportunity to practice general speaking, engage with the public, and experience networking through their coordination with Extension professionals. While this internship will take place in a horticultural setting, the learned skills learned are transferable to other career areas. Through this work, the student will gain knowledge of the Extension program and potential career opportunities involved in the area.
Title: Blooming Knowledge: Providing Education on Edible Flowers to Northern Colorado
- Building Better Bakeries: Safety Evaluation of Gluten-Free Baked Goods in the Front Range
- Lead Mentor: Charlene Van Buiten
- College: College of Health and Human Sciences
- Primary Topic: Food Systems
- Other Topics: Health and Wellbeing
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Arapahoe,Boulder,Denver,El Paso,Weld
- About Location: On-campus
- Internship Overview: The proposed internship program is an extension of previously funded internships, “Building Better Breads: An Investigation of Coloradoan Sourdough Breads and Consumer Perceptions of Healthfulness� (2022) and “Building Better Bakeries: An Investigation of Coloradan Sourdough Bread Producers’ Knowledge of Food Safety� (2023). Our 2022 project surveyed Coloradan consumers for their perceptions about the healthfulness of sourdough bread, especially related to celiac disease and other gluten intolerances. From these data, we found that individuals with non-celiac gluten sensitivity and those who are self-diagnosed were most likely to consume artisanal sourdough breads made with wheat-based ingredients. Our 2023 follow-up study surveyed artisanal producers of sourdough bread to assess their general knowledge of gluten and gluten intolerances, their production protocols relating to cross contamination, and the interactions that they have had with customers with regard to gluten intolerances and safety. From this survey, we found that many artisanal bread producers across the state of Colorado believed that their bread products were safer for individuals with celiac disease than conventionally produced bread, though this assumption is not supported by scientific literature. We also identified significant knowledge gaps by producers when it comes to gluten as an allergen-like protein, celiac disease, gluten-free good and cross-contamination. Thus, the goal for this extension internship is to develop informational materials about gluten contamination and celiac disease for food producers across the state of Colorado, including training materials for artisanal bread producers to avoid cross-contamination, and to evaluate the frequency of gluten cross-contamination in artisanal gluten-free baked goods produced in the Front Range.
Over the course of this program, the summer intern will help with sample and data collection in the evaluation of gluten contamination in baked goods produced in the Front Range. Specifically, the intern will travel to artisanal bakeries across the Front Range to purchase baked goods marketed as gluten-free and collect metadata for each establishment (e.g., is it a gluten-free bakery, packaging of goods). Notably, data will be anonymized, but owners of each establishment will be included in the dissemination of our overall findings for the region. Collected samples will be returned to the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Colorado State University where they will be processed for gluten quantification using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. This testing will allow determination of whether these baked goods meet the legal requirement for “gluten-free� labeling (< 20 ppm). After data is collected, the intern will learn to analyze the results of the study and use those findings to support the generation educational materials including about gluten safety and cross-contamination and an extension toolkit designed to educate stakeholders about gluten-free baking, gluten safety and cross-contamination. This program will allow the summer intern to gain experience participating in a research project that spans food science, nutrition and educational outreach. This professional development experience will be targeted towards students who aim to pursue a career in food science and scientific communication/outreach.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The overarching objective of this internship is to survey the safety of gluten-free baked goods in the Front Range and to produce educational materials that address previously identified gaps in producer knowledge of gluten safety and cross-contamination.
Under the guidance of the mentoring team, the Extension summer intern will complete the following aims:
1. Evaluate whether gluten-free baked goods produced across the Front Range meet the legal specifications of “gluten-free�
1a. Collect samples of gluten-free baked goods and metadata from artisanal bakeries in the Front Range
1b.Quantify gluten concentration in gluten-free baked goods using commercial testing methods
2. Develop educational outreach materials for consumers and producers about gluten safety and cross-contamination
2a. Write an Extension Fact Sheet about safe production and handling of gluten-free goods
2b. Develop a toolkit for Extension Specialists statewide to provide hands-on training to consumers and producers for preventing cross-contamination of baked goods in the home and in industrial settings
2c. Design downloadable material for Extension websites
2d. Assist with the development and delivery of a 1-hour webinar to share with Extension for future use
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with producers (professional bakers) of sourdough bread in the state of Colorado. The findings from this work will be valuable to producers and consumers. Producers will benefit from the training materials developed and the evaluation of their products, which will help increase the safety of their establishments. Consumers will benefit from this project by being provided with information about possible risks of gluten contamination. Similarly, the deliverables from this project will also be valuable to individuals who aim to produce gluten-free products in their home for personal distribution or sale under the Cottage Foods Act.
- Learning Outcomes: This multidisciplinary project will provide the intern with a variety of opportunities for professional development. The evaluation of gluten-free products will allow the intern to develop technical skills in a laboratory setting and learn how to properly analyze and visualize data. The development and dissemination of research This project will provide the student with the opportunity to develop laboratory research skills through the evaluation of gluten-free products. development, dissemination and analysis of the survey portion of this project. The student will also learn how to develop effective outreach materials and delivery the information to Extension professionals.
Title: Building Better Bakeries: Safety Evaluation of Gluten-Free Baked Goods in the Front Range
- Bumble Bee Ecology and Conservation in Colorado's Front Range
- Lead Mentor: Dr. John Mola
- College: Warner College of Natural Resources
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Horticulture
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Arapahoe
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: Insect pollinators, including bumble bees, fulfill important economic and ecological roles yet have faced population declines in recent decades. Additional data are needed to understand resource availability and bumble bee population health in various land use contexts (e.g., urban and rural landscapes), and to explore how conservation interventions can support pollinators in these spaces. This project aims to collect baseline data on bee and plant communities throughout Fort Collins, including CSU’s campus, Fort Collins Natural Area sites, and other locations within the city to guide restoration and management efforts. Additionally, we will investigate how the timing of floral resource availability influences bumble bee colony performance to inform future management and restoration efforts. Laura Lukens (PhD student, Mola Lab), Dr. John Mola (Assistant Professor), and Lisa Mason (Lisa Mason, Extension County Specialist), will serve as mentors for the project, working with the intern over the ten-week period to gain hands-on research experience, scientific communication and public engagement practice, and develop a poster to share project results.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The intern will work with a group of university scientists, Extension specialists, Fort Collins City Planners, and other stakeholders to:
- Develop an understanding of pollinator ecology and conservation in Colorado’s Front Range
- Collect data on plant and pollinator communities on the CSU campus and other sites within the City of Fort Collins
- Assist with collecting and rearing bumble bee colonies in the lab and monitoring experimental bumble bee colonies in field sites
- Participate in community outreach events and/or material development to disseminate information about pollinator conservation
- Develop a poster presentation of project findings
- Stakeholder: The intern will work directly with CSU scientists, graduate students, Extension specialists, and collaborators at the City of Fort Collins.
- Learning Outcomes: This project will equip the intern with in-depth knowledge of plant and pollinator ecology in Colorado’s Front Range and effective strategies for insect conservation. The intern will engage with a diverse array of stakeholders, including university researchers, City of Fort Collins staff, and the public, gaining valuable insights into the complexities of insect conservation in multiple contexts. These interactions will also provide opportunities to develop public speaking and community engagement skills. The intern will acquire practical skills in entomological research, including plant and insect identification, laboratory and field survey techniques, as well as insect pinning and curation. These experiences will enhance their technical expertise while fostering a holistic understanding of pollinator conservation efforts.
Title: Bumble Bee Ecology and Conservation in Colorado's Front Range
- Cache la Poudre Water Quality and River Health Monitoring
- Lead Mentor: Sam Struthers
- College: Warner College of Natural Resources
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Health and Wellbeing
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Weld
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: The CSU Radical Open Science Syndicate (ROSSyndicate) and the City of Fort Collins have an ongoing partnership to monitor the water quality and stream health of the Cache la Poudre (CLP) river. This partnership uses a collection of real-time high frequency water quality sensors to assess the many challenges that compromise the river's water quality, river health, and the services the river provides the community. Additionally, this program collects water samples on a regular basis to assess more specific constituents which can provide deeper context to the high frequency data.
With the data collected by this partnership, additional studies can be easily added to assess additional river health parameters and biogeochemical changes. This internship will help collect the necessary data to understand how in-stream metabolism and movement of key chemical constituents varies along the river and in its tributaries. We hope that this study will help inform how wildfire and agricultural runoff impact the health of the river and assist with long term planning of stream restoration efforts in the CLP watershed.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: In this project, we will use a variety of water quality tools and techniques to characterize the CLP watershed’s biogeochemical changes. The primary tasks of this intern will be collecting in-stream flow measurements, collecting and processing water samples, and maintaining water quality equipment.
Primarily, the intern will help collect instantaneous flow measurements at streams to create a record of flow through the entire field season. These measurements are critical to estimating the biological metabolism in the stream and the transport of key nutrients over time. We will also collect water samples to be processed in the lab to measure a suite of nutrients and specific water constituents. We also use in-situ water quality sensors to measure real-time and continuous water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity. These sensors will provide context data to the other sampling efforts.
These sampling efforts will occur throughout the field season (April- November) with most of the work being conducted during snowmelt (May-June) and after snowmelt (July-August). During this time, our intern will be in the field collecting flow measurements, water samples, and processing these water samples at the RMRS biogeochemistry lab. Study sites will vary from high elevation mountain streams, to the mainstem of the river through Fort Collins, and smaller urban and agricultural streams. On a typical week, an intern will have 20-25 hours of field work and 5-10 hours of in office data work or lab work.
The general objectives of this internship are to:
- Maintain an existing long term water quality grab sample dataset
- Collect flow data at study sites to help create a timeseries of flow each site
- Prepare data to be inputted into stream metabolism and nutrient delivery models
- Stakeholder: The intern will primarily work with researchers from the ROSSyndicate in the Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Department at CSU. The intern will also work closely with watershed specialists at the City of Fort Collins when attending our quarterly meetings with city officials and provide any details from their work as it relates to discussions. The intern will also work closely with US Forest Service researchers (USFS) while processing samples at the biogeochemistry lab or at sites where there is research overlap. The intern may also have the opportunity to work with community organizations such as the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed during restoration site visits.
- Learning Outcomes: Technical Skills and Research Experience: Our intern will gain experience with flow measurement and water sampling techniques, as well as basic lab processing skills. Our intern will gain technical skills related to high frequency water quality monitoring with a particular focus on in situ sensor deployment, calibration, and maintenance. Our intern will build research experience in data collection and understanding water quality dynamics while learning the methods used to estimate biological metabolism in streams, and techniques to maintain long-term monitoring data.
Problem-Solving: After being trained, our intern will begin to work more independently and will be expected to collect data without direct assistance. The intern will also often work in areas where cell service is limited and will have to create solutions with only the tools at their disposal. Our intern will engage in sensor troubleshooting which will improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills while in the field.
Critical Thinking and Observation: Our intern will be encouraged to share what they have seen in the field and bring this knowledge to the discussion of watershed health, water quality condition when meeting with other project partners.
Collaboration: Our intern will work with multiple local stakeholder groups, fostering collaboration, teamwork, and networking opportunities with water quality professionals that can be valuable for future career development.
Title: Cache la Poudre Water Quality and River Health Monitoring
- Colorado Food Access Landscape Assessment
- Lead Mentor: Lily Lake
- College: College of Agricultural Sciences
- Primary Topic: Food Systems
- Other Topics: Health and Wellbeing
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Statewide
- About Location: On-campus
- Internship Overview: Colorado has a diverse network of public and private institutions, nonprofits, individual and organizational advocates, and coalitions providing anti-hunger services. These groups work closely together and with their communities to combat food insecurity at the local, state, and regional levels. However, the breadth of this network also creates the potential for overlapping efforts and repetitive research. While duplication is often necessary to ensure immediate needs are met and individual communities are represented, it also underscores the importance of a comprehensive understanding of the existing food access services landscape.
The goal of this internship is to support the development of a Colorado Food Access Landscape Assessment in partnership with the CSU Extension Food Systems team and the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council (COFSAC). COFSAC is a legislatively mandated, governor and General Assembly-appointed council tasked with providing community-informed, research-driven recommendations to state leaders on food systems challenges. The CSU Extension Food Systems team is also conducting a landscape assessment of food insecurity work being led or supported by Extension professionals.
The intern will contribute by conducting primary and secondary data collection. Responsibilities may include interviewing anti-hunger organizations, analyzing state food security metrics, and assisting in the creation of a landscape assessment report. This assessment will summarize the programs and resources available to support the approximately 1 in 11 Coloradans currently experiencing hunger (Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, 2022).
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Goals: The primary goal of this internship is to support the creation of a comprehensive, state-level landscape assessment of food access services in Colorado. The intern will support efforts to map where anti-hunger organizations statewide are operating and help to analyze their services to enhance alignment, collaboration, and advocacy efforts. This project will build on past and ongoing efforts, citing existing reports and data in addition to gathering primary data from anti-hunger organizations.
Scope: The scope of this internship encompasses both primary and secondary research. This includes:
- Reviewing and synthesizing existing reports, data, and policies related to food access and resilience
- Conducting interviews with stakeholders from anti-hunger organizations to capture current services, barriers, and collaborative opportunities
- Identifying best practices that have emerged for connecting farms and food assistance programs under recent state and federal policy programs
- Analyzing findings to identify trends, gaps, and actionable recommendations to inform statewide advocacy and partnership-building
This project will focus on providing a state-level overview while integrating insights from community, county, city and Extension-level initiatives.
Objectives:
- Conduct secondary research: Gather and analyze data to support development of a report summarizing the state food access and resilience work in Colorado
- Engage stakeholders for data collection: Conduct interviews with representatives from anti-hunger organizations to collect qualitative data on their activities and collaboration efforts
- Compile and analyze existing data: Review reports, policies, and program data to provide a well-rounded understanding of the food access landscape and support development of actionable insights
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with producers, food pantries, and other organizations that offer direct services or advocacy in the anti-hunger space.
The intern will also regularly collaborate with the COFSAC food access working group.
- Learning Outcomes: During this internship, the student will gain practical, hands-on experience conducting research to support a statewide food systems assessment. This includes collecting and analyzing qualitative data through stakeholder interviews, enhancing their skills in community-based research methods. The intern will build professional relationships in the food systems sector through their direct engagement with Colorado’s anti-hunger organizations.
The student will also develop a deeper understanding of state and federal nutrition and food access programs, improving their ability to analyze the complex interplay between policies, programs, and food security outcomes.
Additional opportunities for professional development include collaboration with members of COFSAC, who represent diverse food systems roles across the state, as well as with state agency representatives. The intern will practice presenting research findings to food systems professionals during COFSAC working group meetings, honing their communication skills. Through both their research and engagement with COFSAC, the student will strengthen their ability to integrate qualitative and quantitative data and leverage it to identify evidence-based recommendations.
Title: Colorado Food Access Landscape Assessment
- Community Assessment and Resource Mapping for Agriculture Workers in Northeastern Colorado
- Lead Mentor: Jim Kuemmerle
- College:
- Primary Topic: Health and Wellbeing
- Other Topics: Agriculture
- Primary Location: Logan
- Other Locations: Logan,Morgan,Phillips,Yuma
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: This internship will access the needs of Spanish Speaking agriculture workers in Northeastern Colorado. The intern will do a community assessment of the area to explore various jobs and work locations of agriculture workers in the region. They will research resources available in the individual counties and map the outcomes. The intern will also work with mentors to identify effective ways to distribute the resource map and outreach material to Agriculture workers and employers.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: 1. Conduct a needs assessment of the Eastern Region counties, to identify key community assets and resource gaps for agriculture workers, specifically Spanish-speaking individuals and those who are underserved. The needs assessment will include:
a. Completing an asset mapping and health needs assessment using secondary resources and collaborating with community partners to gain insight into available resources and existing gaps
b. Engaging in listening sessions and/or individual interviews with the agriculture worker population to understand their experiences and perceived needs.
2. Research and develop a repository of available resources, assets, and services in the area
3. Identify areas in which AgrAbility can support the identified gaps
4. Translate findings into culturally appropriate outreach materials
5. Distribute resource materials to Spanish Speaking agriculture workers and employers of Spanish Speaking workers.
- Stakeholder: The intern will be working with directly with the extension staff at the Northeast Regional Engagement Center. Additionally, the intern will support the identification and outreach to major companies and producers in the area that employ Spanish speaking agriculture workers. The intern will also be working with Behavioral Health providers and agencies throughout the Eastern Region to identify available resources.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will learn how to collect information, frame and apply a community-based analysis, and create a resource map for individuals in a specific demographic. The intern will learn skills in interviewing, relationship building, and how to distribute information to a community of people that share a common need and live in diverse communities with different resources. The intern will learn to create outreach material in a language that is not the predominant language spoken in the larger community.
Title: Community Assessment and Resource Mapping for Agriculture Workers in Northeastern Colorado
- CSU SPUR UAV Summer Program Instructor Internship
- Lead Mentor: Adam Smith
- College: Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
- Primary Topic: 4-H & Youth
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Denver
- Other Locations: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: The CSU Spur UAV Summer Program Instructor Internship at Colorado State University (CSU) offers an exciting opportunity to inspire and educate a diverse group of Denver-region high school students and teachers in the areas of drone technology, general aviation knowledge, and aviation career pathways.
This program will run from May 19th to August 15th, 2025, and is based at both CSU's Foothills Campus in Fort Collins and the Denver Spur Campus, combining hands-on teaching experience with valuable professional development in the field of un-crewed and crewed aviation.
Interns will play a vital role in supporting the CSU Drone Center and Spur programs. Their primary responsibilities will include assisting in the instruction of three, one week-long workshops, each with a capacity of 18 students. These workshops will focus on drone flight training, preparing participants for the FAA Part 107 Commercial UAS Pilot Certificate, and exploring fundamentals of crewed aviation and associated career pathways. In addition to teaching, they will assist lead instructors with class preparation, which includes coordinating with students, families, and stakeholders; managing workshop logistics and transportation; and maintaining communication with Denver-based educators and program partners. Travel to the Spur Campus will be required for at least three weeks during the summer, and all related travel expenses will be funded by CSU Drone Center and the SPUR programming.
This internship provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on teaching experience and contribute to aviation education while building connections within the aviation education community. It is an ideal role for those passionate about STEM education, drone technology, and inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The proposed goals, scope, and objectives of the Spur Drone (UAV) Summer Instructor Internship are centered around creating a meaningful educational experience for both the intern and the program participants while supporting the broader mission of the CSU Drone Center and SPUR programs. A key goal is to provide the intern with hands-on experience in STEM education, emphasizing practical teaching, mentorship, and program coordination skills in the fields of un-crewed and crewed aviation. By collaborating with lead instructors and engaging with students and educators, the intern will play an integral role in delivering a high-quality learning experience.
The scope of the internship extends beyond classroom instruction to encompass critical support activities such as workshop preparation, stakeholder communication, and logistical planning. These responsibilities will ensure the seamless execution of three, one week-long workshops and foster a collaborative environment among students, families, and Denver-area educators. The internship also offers the opportunity to engage directly with aviation professionals and expand the intern’s understanding of career pathways in the industry.
The objectives of the program include empowering the intern to develop teaching and organizational skills, enriching the educational experience of workshop participants, and strengthening connections between CSU and the local community. The internship’s dual focus on technical expertise and program administration ensures a comprehensive professional development experience while advancing the mission of promoting access to aviation education and workforce development in Colorado.
- Stakeholder: This internship at Colorado State University (CSU) will involve collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholder groups to maximize its educational and professional impact. The intern will work closely with Denver-based high schools, including those serving students from under-represented groups, to recruit participants and support educational outreach. This includes engagement with school organizations and educators to foster access to drone technology and aviation education for underserved communities.
The intern will also interact with aviation organizations and institutions to strengthen connections between the program and the broader aviation industry. Key partners include the Northern Colorado Regional Airport, Colorado Air and Space Port, and Aims Community College, which provide insights into crewed aviation, professional networks, and career pathways in aerospace. Additionally, CSU Spur, a hub for innovative educational programming, will serve as a primary location for workshops and collaboration, enabling the intern to engage with CSU’s extensive resources and network.
Through these partnerships, the intern will build relationships with stakeholders across the education and aviation sectors, enhancing the program's ability to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals while supporting the CSU Drone Center’s mission to advance access to STEM education and workforce development.
- Learning Outcomes: This internship at Colorado State University offers a robust array of learning outcomes and professional development opportunities for the intern. One of the most significant outcomes is the opportunity to obtain the FAA Part 107 Commercial UAS Pilot Certificate, a credential that opens doors to numerous opportunities in the growing UAS industry. Through hands-on experience, the intern will learn to pilot a variety of drones, gaining confidence and technical expertise in UAV operation. Additionally, the program provides a comprehensive understanding of aviation, including crewed flight principles and insights into career pathways within the aerospace sector.
Beyond technical skills, the internship fosters critical soft skills such as teaching, communication, and program coordination. By assisting in workshop instruction, collaborating with educators and stakeholders, and managing logistics, the intern will develop strong organizational and leadership abilities. Exposure to Denver-based educational institutions, aviation organizations, and programs like CSU Spur will expand the intern’s professional network, creating connections that can lead to future career opportunities.
The internship also emphasizes collaboration and adaptability, as the intern will work closely with a dynamic team to deliver impactful educational experiences to underserved communities. This holistic combination of technical training, hands-on teaching, professional networking, and exposure to aviation careers ensures that the intern emerges well-equipped for success in variety of fields.
Title: CSU SPUR UAV Summer Program Instructor Internship
- Designing and Delivering Youth Educational programs with Latinx community partners
- Lead Mentor: Faith Kroschel
- College:
- Primary Topic: 4-H & Youth
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Boulder
- Other Locations: Boulder
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: This internship aims to introduce the intern to job expectations and skills required to be a successful Extension Agent in Youth Development and Outreach. The internship will also support & expand our work with local youth 4-H programs in conjunction with local partners Casa de la Esperanza and the Boulder County Community Housing programs. The internship will explore youth participation in hands-on learning where the Latinx & underserved youth community resides.
The intern should have a background in and working toward a degree in education, nutrition, agriculture, youth development, or social science-related degrees. The internship would also benefit from an individual that is bilingual and has experience working with Latinx and/or low-income youth of color. The intern may have the opportunity to experience various 4-H activities occurring throughout the internship related to livestock, natural resources, community health & nutrition, horticulture, garden management, and fire recovery.
The intern will be given the task to plan, organize, deliver and evaluate educational programs rooted in 4-H methodology and positive youth development to LatinX and underserved youth audiences throughout the summer. The programs may consist of a variety of topics and activities including but not limited to Horticulture/ Gardening, STEAM, Home Economics, & Livestock, and Disaster Recovery. Instruction will be provided onsite throughout the internship. The intern will be responsible for the delivery of available curriculum, as well as the development of an activity kit. The kit will be developed throughout the summer with guidance from the Extension staff mentor(s).
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The intern will be given the task to plan, organize, deliver and evaluate educational programs rooted in 4-H methodology and positive youth development to LatinX and underserved youth audiences throughout the summer. The programs may consist of a variety of topics and activities including but not limited to Horticulture/ Gardening, STEAM, Home Economics, & Livestock, and Disaster Recovery. Instruction will be provided onsite throughout the internship. The intern will be responsible for the delivery of available curriculum, as well as the development of an activity kit. The kit will be developed throughout the summer with guidance from the Extension staff mentor(s).
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with local partnerships with Casa de la Esperanza and Boulder County Housing Community Programs to extend Extension programming into three communities. The intern will work directly with our community partners in Boulder County and program participants to conduct a needs assessment that will help guide future programming with those communities. The evaluation tools will also help ensure that participants’ voices, concerns, and suggestions are heard and valued.
- Learning Outcomes: The student would have the opportunity to be involved with program planning, delivery, and evaluation, and learn essential skills associated with each aspect. Additionally, the student will conduct research on evaluation methods and tools currently used in 4-H and youth development, such as Common Measures. Next, the intern will facilitate conversations with parents of the participants to better understand community needs and interests in the space of youth development, with the intention of utilizing the results for future programming. The intern will use a mixed method data analysis approach. Throughout the summer the intern will hone their skills in communicating with diverse audiences, community stakeholders, and partners, while planning, implementing, and evaluating programs. In addition, students will increase their knowledge of youth-serving organizations. As a result, students will build professional relationships and grow their professional network to obtain additional opportunities in the future.
At the conclusion of the internship the intern will be able to:
• Develop and implement curriculum-based programs for youth
• Develop evaluation tools for specific program(s)
• Revise existing programs and update delivery materials
• Hone skills working with stakeholders and partners
Title: Designing and Delivering Youth Educational programs with Latinx community partners
- Designing environmental health educational programming for young people in Denver
- Lead Mentor: Carrie Chennault
- College: College of Liberal Arts
- Primary Topic: 4-H & Youth
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Denver
- Other Locations: Denver
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: The internship is an opportunity for a graduate student to design an engaging environmental health educational program for youth based on findings from the Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea (GES) Community Health Study and environmental health research. Grounded in environmental justice and liberation pedagogy, the educational program will explore the experiences, priorities, and future desires of young people at the intersection of health and environment. Liberatory pedagogy is a method and practice of teaching that empowers students to engage with complex, systems-level issues through encouraging students to develop critical thinking skills, analyze their lived experiences, and reflect on their personal relationships. It reframes educational programming by valuing students as active participants in building democratic processes and just futures. This internship aims to connect young people to environmental health research, decision-making processes, and planning efforts through educational programming. To determine the scope and content of this educational program, the intern will meet with GES and other Denver stakeholders, compile relevant research and literature, and observe existing youth educational opportunities. While the environmental health educational programming will be developed around community needs in GES, the product will be adaptable to connect with young people across Denver.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The goal is to explore the environmental health experiences, priorities, and future desires of young people through educational programming grounded in liberatory pedagogy. Throughout the summer, the intern will work on the following objectives:
1. Design an engaging environmental health educational program for youth based on the GES Community Health Study and community priorities.
2. Meet with GES and other Denver stakeholders (such as residents, community organizations, educators, researchers, and government entities) to identify priorities for environmental health education and engagement.
3. Compile and examine critical social science research and pedagogical best practices related to environmental health, justice, and liberation.
4. Learn about and/or participate in existing youth educational opportunities in Denver to learn the scope of programming and the interests of local youth.
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with residents, youth and youth educators, and community-based organizations primarily in Denver’s GES neighborhoods and with other Denver stakeholders. Potential stakeholder groups may also include local government agencies (such as the City and County of Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment and Department of Parks & Recreation, Extension 4-H, etc.), cross-sector partnerships (such as the EPA Commerce City/North Denver Environmental Justice Collaborative), and academic researchers (such as the GES Community Health Study’s ENVIRONS Team). The ideal intern will be a student who already has professional experience with these stakeholder groups.
- Learning Outcomes: The student intern will learn about the environmental health experiences, priorities, and future desires of those who live, learn, work, and play in the GES neighborhoods. The intern will develop their skills in stakeholder identification, engagement, and relationship building in community-based research projects. The intern will further develop their science communication skills through communicating technical research reports to youth through designing educational programs informed by health studies and community priorities. A key aspect to science communication is determining pathways to communicate back to the academic audience, such as a research presentation to a professional audience. The intern will explore pathways for informing future environmental health research based on what they learn about the priorities of young people. Additionally, the student intern will gain experience with community-based research through conducting interviews, participant observation, and engaging with relevant literature. This internship is intended to provide a pathway for graduate students to take the next steps towards dissertation research goals and long-term career goals.
Title: Designing environmental health educational programming for young people in Denver
- Do Improved Fairgrounds make Economic Sense (i.e. more cents)?: Analysis of Park, Grand and Teller County Fairgrounds
- Lead Mentor: William Wilkins
- College:
- Primary Topic: Community & Economic Development
- Other Topics: 4-H & Youth
- Primary Location: Park
- Other Locations: Teller
- About Location: On-campus
- Internship Overview: We are building off previous work in Fremont County that studied the local contribution to the economy from the Creation of Pathfinder event center. We were approached by the Mountain Region Director to look at projecting the economic contribution to three counties based on improvements to their existing fairgrounds. These fairgrounds with improvements will host events and activities they currently do not have the capacity to do. The hope of this intern work is to collect data and use IMPLAN to provide contribution analysis thus showing the benefits of the facility improvements and economic benefits to these communities. Additionally, we hope to use previous work in this field to develop a template/tool kit for future inquiries of this nature.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The goal is to provide an economic analysis using data to forecast the economic contribution to Park, Grand, and Teller Counties as a result of improving existing fairground facilities.
The scope of this work will include collecting operating cost and income generated data and using the program IMPLAN to assess said data. All three counties have fairgrounds improvements plans that include future use, specs, and facility capacity. The objective is to create a report that outlines proposed benefits to the local economy by improving current county fairgrounds and facilities.
- Stakeholder: County Extension directors and staff
County Managers
County Commissioners
potential funders
other community stakeholders may include business owners, residents, other economic development partners
- Learning Outcomes: The anticipated outcome of this internship is to collect and analyze quantitative data to generate a report useful to three identified counties. Other outcomes will include working with local stakeholders and government officials to create a product that is useful and informative towards decision making. As well as a continued effort to create a template for similar work in the future.
Title: Do Improved Fairgrounds make Economic Sense (i.e. more cents)?: Analysis of Park, Grand and Teller County Fairgrounds
- Ecological and social dimensions of climate-adaptive dryland farm management and restoration in Southwestern Colorado
- Lead Mentor: Carrie Havrilla
- College: Warner College of Natural Resources
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Agriculture
- Primary Location: Dolores
- Other Locations: Larimer
- About Location: On-campus
- Internship Overview: The intern will work broadly supporting projects and goals in the Dryland Ecology and Management Lab (DEML) in partnership with CSU Extension in Montezuma County with most of their time spent working on supporting a new project within the lab collecting data on the social and environmental dynamics of regenerative grazing in the arid Southwest. Within DEML, we work at the intersection of applied ecology and ecological theory to do science that is both robust and useful for dryland land managers and restoration practitioners. The Montezuma County Extension office works closely with DEML to respond to community needs related to rangeland restoration and management. Our internship program will include fieldwork in southwest Colorado, lab work in Fort Collins, statistical and analytical work, and qualitative interview work, with time spent both in the field conducting interviews and doing post-hoc interview analysis and time spent learning about the work Extension does in the Montezuma County office. The intern will also support existing research in southwest Colorado and in northeastern Colorado.
The intern will be co-supervised by Dr. Carrie Havrilla, Assistant Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Management in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, and Emily Lockard, CSU Extension - Montezuma County Director and Ag Specialist. The intern will also work closely with two PhD students, Nora Bales and Ember Bradbury in the CSU DEML. The intern will travel with the DEML PhD students to southwest Colorado to conduct fieldwork, travel to northeast Colorado to conduct fieldwork, and be supervised by the PhD students in Fort Collins for any lab and analytical work. Lockard will support the internship in giving context to the local community and work the Extension engages in to meet the needs of the local community while making connections with campus faculty and students.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Scope:
To learn about the social, ecological, and practical dynamics of ecological restoration in the context of the U.S. Southwest and how it relates to the work of Extension.
Goals:
The intern will contribute to an interdisciplinary team and generate a research question.
The intern will learn basic and intermediate quantitative field skills like:
Soil physical analysis protocol
Biomass collection protocol
Plant identification
Field safety
Data collection
The intern will learn basic qualitative field skills like:
Recording interviews
The intern will learn basic data entry and preliminary analysis techniques like:
Data entry into Excel
Data entry into NVivo and Otter.ai (qualitative analysis software)
Basic data exploration in RStudio
The intern will learn about the land management needs and about what role Extension plays in the local community.
Objectives:
The intern to gain experience with fieldwork and data collection protocols
The intern to gain experience with data entry and analysis in both qualitative and quantitative frameworks
The intern to experience the practice of restoration ecology research and build greater relationships with the desert Southwest
The intern will participate in truly engaged scholarship as they partner with researchers on main campus, Extension field staff, and local community members.
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with farmers, ranchers, and community members as well as their primary supervisors, Dr. Carrie Havrilla and Emily Lockard and graduate students Nora Bales and Ember Bradbury
- Learning Outcomes: In participating in the internship, students will be able to:
Identify components of engaged scholarship (as defined by CSU’s Continuum of Engaged Scholarship) and apply to research project development
Prepare samples for soil physical analysis and interpret the results of soil physical analysis
Identify several species of Southwestern Colorado flora
Reliably collect and enter qualitative data
Transcribe qualitative data using Otter.ai
Install and understand dryland ecological restoration treatments and practices
Better understand the role of Extension as part of CSU and local communities.
The networking opportunities and skills gained through this internship will add to the professional development of the students. Further, the students will receive extensive hands-on mentorship throughout the internship program. This mentorship will be adaptive for the student, and will focus on the ways that the student would like to grow and what they are interested in.
Title: Ecological and social dimensions of climate-adaptive dryland farm management and restoration in Southwestern Colorado
- Environmental Education through a Camp Delivery Method: Become a Camp Master at ENOR Environmental Day Camp in Jefferson County
- Lead Mentor: Josey Pukrop
- College:
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: 4-H & Youth
- Primary Location: Jefferson
- Other Locations: Jefferson
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: If one of your fondest childhood memories is about going to camp, then this internship is for you! ENOR (Eagle’s Nest Owl’s Roost) is celebrating 51 years as an environmental day camp for youth in or near Jefferson County. Through this internship you will bring the magic of camp to youth, while educating them about important environmental education topics. This day camp is offered Monday-Friday for four weeks over the summer with campers being in session from 8-4:30 daily.
ENOR Mission Statement: To provide a cornerstone for lifelong learning through the integration of social and environmental themes, thereby fostering enduring stewards of our natural resources.
Distinct from other outdoor camps are ENOR’s emphasis on FOCUS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY, CARE, AND PARTNERSHIPS.
ENOR’s FOCUS is environmental education and youth development rather than recreation. Each day the curriculum highlights unique environmental and social themes that guide learning.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY: To encourage healthy lifestyles, active engagement with the outdoors, and perseverance through challenge, the camp day takes place hiking and exploring in local parks and open spaces.
CARE: Campers are assigned to one caring educator for the week. This gives campers the opportunity to bond with their leader and peers, creating a pathway to comfort and safety, supporting an environment of learning.
PARTNERSHIPS: Personalized instruction is paired with supplemental programming from several natural resource professionals that enhance the opportunity for the campers to broaden their horizons and interact with professionals in various fields.
ENOR has positively impacted over 20,000 children over the past 50 years. Will you be our next teammate that helps youth find their spark in environmental education?
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: This internship will include camp preparation, camp delivery and post-camp evaluation duties. In order to learn all the elements to running a successful day camp, you’ll be responsible for learning each camp position and associated curriculum to be ready to fill in for absences with short notice, understanding camp daycare policies and safety measures while in the field, and support planning, implementing, and evaluating camper’s experiences and level of learning post camp.
- Stakeholder: ENOR has dynamic relationships with a number of community partners and natural resource professionals that support the camp annually through hosting campers, providing hands-on activities and presentations and providing other educational materials. The intern will be in a unique position to connect with these partners while engaging in meaningful learning experiences with the campers. ENOR has had a consistent relationship with Jeffco Open Space Rangers, Colorado School of Mines mining engineers, Gilpin Historical Society, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Denver Water to name a few. These partnerships allow for professional networking for post-graduation employment opportunities.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will be placed in a fast-paced environment where they will be responsible for knowing each staff role at camp and be asked to fill in during staff absences, including educating youth and leading other staff members. This will create the opportunity to see all aspects of running a successful educational camp. If curriculum development is of interest, intern can focus post-camp time on revamping curriculum or developing new lessons as determined by camper evaluation surveys. Throughout the internship, the student will be engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders and community partners. They will build professional relationships and practice their networking skills while in a supportive environment. You’ll collect crucial data on the quality of ENOR curriculum from camper and educator perspectives, thus rounding out your new environmental education skills!
Title: Environmental Education through a Camp Delivery Method: Become a Camp Master at ENOR Environmental Day Camp in Jefferson County
- Equine Extension Program Development
- Lead Mentor: Devan Catalano
- College: College of Agricultural Sciences
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: 4-H & Youth
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Statewide
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: CSU Equine Extension is responsible for supporting the Colorado Equine Industry. We deliver educational programming related to the horse to both adult and youth audiences, support CSU equine 4-H efforts, conduct research as it relates to the needs of the CO equine industry, and more. The 2025 summer intern will have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of our program.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The intern will participate in broadly in the CSU Equine Extension Program. This includes assisting with research projects, planning/delivering educational events geared towards both adult and youth audiences, preparing Equine Extension material (i.e., educational handouts and videos), and broadly supporting the Colorado Equine Industry. Research projects are still being planned for summer 2025 but will include several pasture management projects such as evaluating equine stocking rates for dryland and irrigated pastures. Intern will work with both mentors on forage-based projects. Other research opportunities may be available based on intern interest.
- Stakeholder: Equine Industry: horse owners/enthusiasts, 4-H participants/youth horse enthusiasts, facility managers/owners, veterinarians, feed specialists, brand inspectors, forage producers, etc.
- Learning Outcomes: Learning Outcomes:
- Increased knowledge of equine nutrition and other equine-specific topics
- Improved written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to conduct scientific research in a field setting
- Experience planning educational events for both adult and youth audiences
Professional Development Opportunities
- Mentorship in the areas of Extension/lifelong learning, research, the equine industry (specifically equine nutrition), small acreage management/land stewardship, and forage management.
- Networking with equine industry professionals including veterinarians, brand inspectors, feed specialists, other Extension agents, and facility managers.
- Participation in the 2025 Equine Science Society Symposium, pending starting date availability of the intern (conference takes place first week of June 2025).
- Written and oral communication skills: participation on digital/print media and Extension programs/site visits.
Title: Equine Extension Program Development
- Extension Wildlife Technician with the Routt National Forest
- Lead Mentor: Todd Hagenbuch
- College:
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Agriculture
- Primary Location: Routt
- Other Locations: Statewide
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: This internship will assist Routt County Extension and the Routt National Forest Wildlife program by conducting wildlife surveys, collecting habitat data, implementing habitat restoration, managing invasive weeds, and other activities that improve Forest health and meet Forest management goals. The intern would also interact with CSU’s Western Ranch Management and Ecosystem Stewardship program and receive training in multiple forest and wildlife management techniques that may include: chainsaw training, ATV/UTV operation, herbicide application, wildland firefighting, wildlife trapping, and field sampling. This is great experience and skill-building for anyone considering a wildlife or natural resources career. This internship may be physically strenuous and will involve back-country hiking at times.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: This internship will introduce a student to the skills and techniques needed for a career in wildlife management with a land management agency. The goal is to provide real-world experience in field sampling techniques, wildlife management, habitat restoration, and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team. This exciting, hands-on experience is for anyone considering a wildlife or natural resources career.
- Stakeholder: As a CSU Extension and Forest Service intern, you will gain experience working with many stakeholders, including Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Yampa Valley Sustainability Council, public land users, private landowners, ranchers, permittees, and other Forest Service partners and collaborators.
- Learning Outcomes: A student intern with the Forest Service Wildlife program will gain valuable hands-on skills that will set them up for a career in the USFS and wildlife management. These include mentorship by the District Wildlife Biologist and working as a member of a team implementing field surveys for wildlife, field sampling techniques for multiple bird, bat, insect, and mammal species, habitat restoration techniques, methods, and implementation, and the use of geospatial software (ArcGIS) in real-world applications. There would also be opportunities for exposure to other disciplines within the Forest Service, including forestry, fish biology, range management, and hydrology (among others).
Title: Extension Wildlife Technician with the Routt National Forest
- Fashion FUNdamentals Student Intern
- Lead Mentor: Karen Hyllegard
- College: College of Health and Human Sciences
- Primary Topic: 4-H & Youth
- Other Topics: Agriculture
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Denver
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: This internship position supports the delivery of Fashion FUNdamentals: STEM Enrichment Program for Middle School Students, an educational program that prioritizes underserved youth. The intern will engage in the promotion of the program, recruitment of participants, development of learning materials, assistance with program operations, support of program delivery, mentorship of program participants, and participation in program evaluation.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The goals for this internship are to provide a CSU student with experience in educational program logistics and delivery, mentoring adolescents in an educational setting, and post-program assessment and reporting.
The scope of the position involves assisting with program operations and delivery in Fort Collins (CSU) and Denver (SPUR).
The objectives for the internship include the opportunity for a student to enhance their communication skills, resource and time management skills, interpersonal and mentoring skills, leadership experience, and initiative/contribution to program growth.
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with varied stakeholder groups including program directors, adolescent program participants (and family members), CSU and SPUR faculty and staff, PSD and Denver teachers, and program donors and sponsors.
- Learning Outcomes: The anticipated learning outcomes for the student intern include enhanced communication skills, resource and time management skills, interpersonal and mentoring skills, leadership experience, and greater understanding of the value of elevating others through education. The student intern also will gain valuable professional development experience through their engagement with and accountability to diverse stakeholders. These skills and professional development experiences will support student success in a variety of career paths.
Title: Fashion FUNdamentals Student Intern
- Fisheries restoration in a flow-regulated river on a private ranch
- Lead Mentor: Yoichiro Kanno
- College: Warner College of Natural Resources
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Grand
- Other Locations: Larimer,Summit
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: This internship focuses on fisheries restoration and community development, and the intern will be mentored by a campus faculty mentor (Kanno), field-based Extension agent (Schroder), and a private-sector stakeholder (Rose). The intern’s time will be split between fisheries and aquaculture fieldwork at the Blue Valley Ranch in Kremmling, Grand County (6 weeks), community development and engagement in Grand and Summit Counties (2 weeks), and laboratory analysis of field samples on the CSU main campus (2 weeks). Housing will be provided on the Blue Valley Ranch for up to 8 weeks.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The goal is to provide the intern with inter-disciplinary natural resources experience to equip them with a variety of skills to be successful in our field. The primary part of this internship builds around fisheries restoration on Blue Valley Ranch. The intern will learn fish and stream sampling techniques (e.g., electrofishing, aquatic insects) and operations of their hatchery system to support fisheries management (e.g., tank maintenance and fish feeding). A limited amount of time will be spent on other day-to-day working ranch operations as needed (e.g., tree planting, cattle maintenance). The student will also intern directly with the local Extension agent for two weeks to engage local stakeholders in river management and other community development and engagement topics in Summit and Grand Counties. The student will conclude this internship by participating in laboratory analysis of field data on the CSU main campus, including stable isotopes, fatty acids, fish age estimation using otoliths, and aquatic insect identification.
- Stakeholder: Blue Valley Ranch, Trout Unlimited, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Blue River Watershed Group.
- Learning Outcomes: The multi-faceted, integrated structure of this internship should offer broad training opportunities in natural resources management through hands-on experience. As a result of this summer opportunity, the intern will learn fisheries field and laboratory techniques and the role of extension and engagement in a complex river management issue. Besides presenting a poster at CSU Extension’s Annual Forum, previous interns of this project have presented their research at professional society meetings (e.g., annual meeting of Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the American Fisheries Society). One previous intern has recently published her research in a peer-reviewed fisheries journal by estimating age of small-bodied fish species using fish ear bones (otoliths). In 2025, we have integrated CSU main campus, field-based Extension, and the private stakeholder more fully than any previous year. Thus, this internship is suitable for students seeking inter-disciplinary training and experience in natural resource management.
Title: Fisheries restoration in a flow-regulated river on a private ranch
- Floodplain large wood effects
- Lead Mentor: Ellen Wohl
- College: Warner College of Natural Resources
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Natural Resources
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Larimer
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: The intern will be an integral part of the research described in the goals, scope, & objectives statement. On a practical level, this will include designing the field data sampling procedure, collecting field data, analyzing samples in the lab, entering data into spreadsheets and learning basic techniques of statistical analyses applicable to natural-resources data, and presenting results to diverse stakeholders including the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed and natural resources professionals with the City of Fort Collins and the Roosevelt National Forest.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Watershed resilience to disturbances such as post-fire increases in water and sediment fluxes depends partly on physical characteristics beyond human control, such as precipitation intensity in the 1-2 years immediately after the fire, watershed size and steepness, and valley network configuration. Resilience also depends on characteristics that humans have modified in the past (e.g., beaver presence, logjams in the channel, hydrologic connectivity of the channel and floodplain) and can manage in the future to increase resilience. Enhancing the abundance and size of floodplain logjams, in particular, represents an achievable management activity because floodplain logjams do not pose the hazards to downstream infrastructure that can be associated with in-channel logjams that become unstable and release wood for downstream transport. We propose to systematically examine the effects of logjams and accumulations of finer-grained particulate organic matter (POM) in the floodplain on (i) soil moisture, (ii) soil nutrient mass balance (C,N,P), and (iii) riparian plant species abundance and diversity on floodplains along Little Beaver Creek, Colorado. Most of the Little Beaver Creek watershed burned during the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire, but portions of the river corridor remained unburned, which allows us to compare the effects of floodplain logjams & POM accumulations in burned and unburned river segments. We hypothesize that (i) POM accumulations will have a greater effect on adjacent soil and plant properties than will logjams because of the greater density & moisture retention of POM accumulations and (ii) POM accumulations & logjams will have greater effects on adjacent soil and plant properties in burned river segments than in unburned river segments. This hypothesis will be tested at multiple locations across burned and unburned floodplain segments using (i) continuous soil moisture measurements with in situ sensors deployed at different depths below the ground surface, (ii) plot-scale inventories of plant species and abundance, and (iii) one-time measurements of soil bulk density, soil texture, and soil nutrient mass balance. Working closely with faculty and Extension mentors, and graduate students from Geosciences, the intern will participate in field data collection, data processing, and analysis. Results of this study will contribute important insights regarding the ability of floodplain logjams and POM accumulations to promote watershed resilience post-fire. This information will be used to support post-fire restoration to enhance watershed resilience to fires. The proposed work thus relates to the Extension area of Natural Resources and Sustainability.
- Stakeholder: The City of Fort Collins and the US Forest Service (Roosevelt National Forest).
- Learning Outcomes: The student intern will gain proficiency in field measurements of large wood and associated soil moisture and nutrient mass balance; soil bulk density and texture analyses; topographic surveying using state-of-art equipment, vegetation plot counts, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Professional development will occur through exposure to applied, interdisciplinary research, interactions with diverse faculty and extension mentors, graduate students and stakeholders, opportunities for continued involvement with the project including sediment analyses, GIS-based analyses, and communicating the results to the broader community.
Title: Floodplain large wood effects
- Grand County History Harvest
- Lead Mentor: Michael Childers
- College: College of Liberal Arts
- Primary Topic: Community & Economic Development
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Grand
- About Location: On-campus
- Internship Overview: Located on Colorado’s Western Slope, Grand County includes numerous rural communities undergoing tremendous cultural change. Its historical society, the Grand Country Historical Association was created to bring together people interested in history and to preserve the history, historical artifacts, and historical buildings throughout the county. A partnership between CSU’s Public and Environmental History Center, the GCHA, and CSU Extension, this internship will host two History Harvests within Grand County, collecting and digitizing historical artifacts from local community members and then creating an online archive for the GCHA.
Simply defined, History Harvests are community events in which items of historical interest brought in by local residents are scanned or photographed for online display. Since the project started in 2010 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), these events have generated significant community involvement and media interest and proved extremely popular with our students, who have described their participation as challenging, rewarding, and transformative.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The internship seeks to help the GCHA and CSU Extension preserve the county’s past by hosting two History Harvests, and processing all digitized historical pictures, photographs, and other photographs for the GCHA’s use. These efforts support CSU Extension’s efforts to empower Coloradans to address important and emerging community issues by using “dynamic, science-based educational resources.� Primarily based out of the Fort Collins’ campus, the intern will learn how to develop a community based history project, collection and digitation skills, and gain valuable experience working as a public historian.
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with CSU’s Public and Environmental History Center, the Grand County Historical Association, and Grand County Extension.
- Learning Outcomes: • The intern will collaborate with public partners in creating and hosting a community event
• The intern will scan, and photograph artifacts brought in by local residents.
• The intern will craft a digital archive of scanned and photographed artifacts
Title: Grand County History Harvest
- History of CSU in the Arkansas Valley
- Lead Mentor: Brooke Matthew
- College:
- Primary Topic: Community & Economic Development
- Other Topics:
- Primary Location: Otero
- Other Locations: Crowley, Bent, Pueblo
- About Location: In the field and on-campus
- Internship Overview: The intern will research the history of CSU in the Arkansas Valley primarily related to the Arkansas Valley Research Station, Extension in Otero County, and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. This will be done by reviewing archived data at CSU Library, interviews, and researching local historical records. Once the information is gathered, sorted, organized, and interviews conducted, the intern will work with mentors and the OEE Marketing Team to discuss what information is most important to display in the Arkansas Valley Campus meeting room. In addition, the intern will identify documents that need to be archived at the CSU Library and a short presentation will be given at the 2025 Arkansas Valley Research Station Advisory Meeting and to a local group of stakeholders.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The intern will find and analyze historical documents relating to Colorado State University Extension in Otero County, Arkansas Valley Research Center and Vet Diagnostic Laboratory. The intern will interview and document historical experiences, facts, and impact from past employees and community members. The final objective is to have years of history documented, safely archived, and a plan to showcase the history in the large meeting room.
- Stakeholder: The intern will be working with past CSU Extension Agents (Bill Hancock, Jean Justice, Leonard Pruitt, Bruce Fickenscher), past CSU Ag Experiment Station Managers ( Frank Schweissing, Mike Bartolo), past CSU Vet Diagnostic Lab manager (Gene Niles), Otero County Commissioners (current and past), Ag Experiment Station Advisory Committee members, current and past 4-H volunteer leaders, Otero County 4-H Foundation, Rocky Ford Growers Association, and various agriculture producers. Another key stakeholder will be the CSU Library Archive staff and documents.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will gain knowledge and experience in marketing, communication, branding, history of the Arkansas Valley, conducting interviews, and time management. The intern will gain a broader understanding of Colorado State University’s impact on the Arkansas Valley. (Facilitated oral history training, developed communication skills related to building relationship with stakeholders, collected and preserved interviews, sorted, organized and preserved artifacts, delivered fact and findings to stakeholders, build a network of CSU current and past employees and community members.)
Title: History of CSU in the Arkansas Valley
- Ignite the Spark: Delivering Agricultural-Based Artificial Intelligence Education through 4-H Youth Programming in Jefferson County
- Lead Mentor: Josey Pukrop
- College:
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: 4-H & Youth
- Primary Location: Jefferson
- Other Locations: Jefferson
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: This internship is all about combining one of the world’s oldest practices – agriculture – with the newest, most dynamic one – artificial intelligence! We’re looking for interns that have a passion for teaching youth – and you can have nearly any background and major since this topic is so broad.
This internship allows you to bring the magic of learning and exploration to youth, igniting an educational spark, all while allowing you to play alongside them. You’ll spend the majority of your time developing and delivering hands-on, activity-based lessons for underserved elementary aged youth in Jefferson County. Our mentor team is ready to help you develop and/or hone the skills you need to succeed! Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge of STEM, natural resources and/or horticulture topics and learn about Extension in Jefferson County.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: This internship will focus on developing and evaluating programming for the Jefferson County 4-H Outreach Program. Key responsibilities include planning, implementing and evaluating weekly and one-time activities that can be taught during outreach programs at local low-income housing sites and non-profit community-based organizations. Activities should target youth aged 5-14, be hands-on in nature, and based on broadly focused on AI, though Natural Resources, Horticulture, STEM or other topics can be interspersed as there is tremendous overlap. The intern will develop an evaluation tool to assess the success of outreach program activities. Additional responsibilities can be added to match the intern’s interests.
- Stakeholder: This intern will create a bridge between the wider Extension office, and external organizations that predominantly work with underserved youth in Jefferson County. They will work with low-income housing authorities, and local community-based non-profits, and potentially the local school district. As this is a new venture for our office, the intern will also be able to create new partnerships and utilize the internship as an opportunity for professional networking.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will learn about and experience best practices for curriculum development and teaching strategies while working with diverse at-risk populations, and content knowledge experts. They will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning, while practicing program development and evaluation. Throughout the internship, the student will be engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders and community partners. They will build professional relationships while practicing their networking skills while in a supportive environment.
Title: Ignite the Spark: Delivering Agricultural-Based Artificial Intelligence Education through 4-H Youth Programming in Jefferson County
- Investigating Novel Sources of Resistance to Wheat Stem Sawfly, a Devastating Pest of Wheat
- Lead Mentor: Adam Osterholzer
- College: College of Agricultural Sciences
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Sedgwick,Weld
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: This internship focuses on evaluating wild wheat species for sources of resistance to the wheat stem sawfly (WSS, Cephus cinctus Norton). It will have a strong extension focus, with the intern directly interacting with our grower constituents. All data that results from this project will be used with the goal of mitigating farmer losses to WSS.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The long-term goal of this project is to evaluate wild wheat species for additional alleles that can
enhance development of resistant varieties against the wheat stem sawfly. To this end, we are
collaborating with the Wheat Genetics Resources Center at Kansas State University that houses
diverse wheat species.
Objective 1: The first goal of this internship is to investigate resistance mechanisms in wild
wheat to the wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus Norton). The student intern will be involved in
all aspects of the project, beginning with growing wild wheat species in the greenhouse. These
plants will be infested with wheat stem sawfly at a field location. Data will then be collected on
the insect’s performance in the wild wheat species.
Objective 2: The second learning objective is to have the student intern participate in extension
outreach events and meetings to understand the role of extension in research. This will be
achieved through a pair of smaller objectives: (1)The intern will attend the annual “Wheat Field
Days� where extension agents and farmers meet and talk about current research, and (2) the
intern will help prepare portions of extension reports that will be sent to local stakeholders
involving their research project.
- Stakeholder: The intern will work closely with Adam Osterholzer (Research Associate), who will be coordinating the research experiment. Dr. Nachappa will act as a mentor to the intern and facilitate the intern meeting their professional and personal goals. Extension mentor Kat Caswell will spearhead the extension objectives by showing the intern how extension interacts with local stakeholders/farmers. The intern will also interact with the regional stakeholder group, the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee. This group organizes the Wheat Field Days events and will coordinate the publication/distribution of the newsletters the intern will help write.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will learn firsthand about applied agricultural research techniques in dryland cropping systems. Additionally, they will learn insect identification and collection techniques, as well as data management, analysis, and writing procedures for effective communication. Research activities may include: caring for experimental plants in the greenhouse, setting up experimental plots, collecting and identifying insects, collecting data at on-farm experimental plots, and aiding in analyzing and reporting findings. The intern will have interactions with local stakeholders in the wheat industry and will learn about the role of extension agents in facilitating research.
Title: Investigating Novel Sources of Resistance to Wheat Stem Sawfly, a Devastating Pest of Wheat
- Larimer County Farmers Market: Supporting Inclusive Community Engagement
- Lead Mentor: Alison O'Connor
- College:
- Primary Topic: Food Systems
- Other Topics: Health and Wellbeing
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Larimer
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: The Larimer County Farmers Market (LCFM) will be celebrating its 49th season in 2025. The market was started by Master Gardener volunteers and is still managed and operated by Larimer County Extension and the Master Gardener program. The market has multiple programs where it connects Extension to the community. This internship will focus on two program areas inclusive monthly special events and the Market Days for Older Adults program. Special events are held each month during the market season, showcasing local agriculture, small businesses, health and well-being, and community development. Some of these events include the 4-H Fall Festival, focusing on the fall harvest and connecting the Larimer County 4-H program to the community; another is Picnic at the Market during the 4th of July, highlighting agricultural producers, bakeries, small farms, and more.
The Market Days for Older Adults program started in 2019 and is a program of the LCFM. The program provides vouchers to low-income older adults to directly purchase fresh produce from market vendors. Participants attend the market on Saturdays, engage with vendors and the community, and purchase produce from farmers using vouchers. The intern will work with the Market Days program coordinator to provide plan events, and provide educational and informational resources to participants. It is expected that the intern will be available most/all Saturdays in this role.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The goals of this internship are as follows:
1. Plan inclusive monthly special events for the Larimer County Farmers Market in June, July, and August, which the intern will attend and coordinate. They will also plan additional events for September and October, providing a detailed plan that can be shared with market staff and volunteers. Event dates can be decided by the intern with approval by market staff.
2. The intern will work with the Market Days staff to help with event planning (either on-site at the market or at community facilities) and develop educational and informational materials for participants. This may include recipes, cooking classes, nutritional information about produce, a list of events in the community, and other information. The intern will also support Market Days and help with voucher distribution.
3. The intern's poster will include a project they wish to investigate andresearch more it could be on market organization and implementation, the Market Days program (broadening efforts, fundraising, public awareness) or any other project that may be of interest.
The intern will be considered an employee in the Larimer County Extension Office and will have access to any/all resources to support their internship. This may include working individually with the office communications and marketing specialist, other staff and specialists, and have access to funding to support event costs.
The intern will be expected to work most/all Saturdays during the internship, working 7:00am to 1:30pm; other hours may be remote.
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with various government groups: CSU Extension, Larimer County, and the City of Fort Collins. They will also work with agricultural producers (produce, meat, dairy) and small business owners who are vendors at the farmers market. Other stakeholders include Market Days partners (organizations that work directly with participants, who are low income older adults), Vegetable Connection, the Larimer County Food Bank, and supporting sponsors.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will get an excellent understanding of overall market management and all aspects of running a farmers market and special programs. This includes vendor management, accounting, special event planning, and community outreach education. In addition, the intern will work directly with a market program, Market Days, helping provide support with vouchers, participant organization, event planning, and educational outreach.
During the summer, the intern can attend the monthly Colorado Farmers Market Association meetings for market managers and coordinators. The intern will also be encouraged to attend other markets and communicate with market managers for potential ideas. The intern will meet on a weekly basis with all mentors for guidance and support.
Title: Larimer County Farmers Market: Supporting Inclusive Community Engagement
- One Health Approach to Research on the Navajo Nation
- Lead Mentor: Gilbert John
- College: College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Agriculture
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Huerfano
- About Location: On-campus
- Internship Overview: My USDA funding enables my research to be extended to interns who wish to gain research experience. Funds from the proposed internship program will come from the CSU Native American Cultural Center (NACC, Ty Smith-Director) and the PI of the USDA study (Gilbert John).
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Goals: Enable interns to gain research experience in the field.
Scope: To travel to sites on the Navajo Nation and to collect water, soil, plant, and animal samples for elemental and microbial analysis. The site consist of abandum uranium mines and some contaminated water sources. Also, to study water on a 70 acre plot of land in which the NACC oversees.
Objectives: To obtain information about the environment (contaminated livestock well water and springs) and it effect on livestock and wildlife.
- Stakeholder: Navajo Nation, CSU Native American Cultural Center (NACC), College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
I will need a collabator from the Extension Office.
- Learning Outcomes: To provide interns rigorous scientific methodologies as well as scientific ethics training.
Title: One Health Approach to Research on the Navajo Nation
- Pollinators on Green Roofs
- Lead Mentor: Jennifer Bousselot
- College: College of Agricultural Sciences
- Primary Topic: Horticulture
- Other Topics: Agriculture
- Primary Location: Denver
- Other Locations: El Paso
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: Green roofs restore a portion of the area taken up by development into productive green space. Green roofs introduce habitat and foraging resources to pollinators, which are known to be decreasing in numbers, especially in urban areas. Pollinators are an essential component of many food production systems and other ecosystem services, making them an ecological keystone. Past green roof research has shown that green roofs provide ecologically significant habitat (food, nesting, etc.) in an urban setting. However, there appears to be a lack of research on how a green roof environment may impact the quality of these foraging options, specifically how nectar resources are affected, both qualitatively and temporally, and what impacts that may have on green roof pollinator visitation.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Therefore, we propose to continue evaluation of flowering timing, pollinator visitation, and floral nectar resources on the CSU Spur green roof and in an at-grade garden locations. The intern would develop and deliver a program along with the Graduate Research Assistant for the El Paso County Master Gardeners about pollinator visitation and applying skills learned through the Native Bee Watch Program. Pollinator observations will be conducted as developed by Mason et al. (2018). [Mason, L., Kondratieff, B. C., & Seshadri, A. 2018. Native Bee Watch: A Colorado Citizen Science Field Guide. Colorado State University, College of Agricultural Sciences.]
- Stakeholder: Extension, horticulture, and green roof industries.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will gain hands-on experience in the pollinator and horticultural aspects of rooftop agriculture. Additionally, the intern will interact with professionals and gain experience in the areas of Extension, horticulture, and green roofs. The intern will also assist with outreach and community events refining their public speaking and engaged scholarship skills. Therefore, the intern will not only learn about the scientific aspects of these areas but also network with professionals.
Title: Pollinators on Green Roofs
- Potato IPM: Enhancing Integrated Insect Pest Management Strategies for U.S. Potato Production Systems
- Lead Mentor: Ashley Raffa
- College: College of Agricultural Sciences
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: Food Systems
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Alamosa,Rio Grande
- About Location: On-campus
- Internship Overview: The long-term goal of this SCRI funded project is to develop and adopt new integrated pest management strategies in the U.S. potato industry that serve as an effective alternative to neonicotinoids. Our primary objective is to develop pest prediction and decision-making tools for local Colorado potato growers. This objective will be accomplished through the expansion of WSU’s Potato Decision Aid System (DAS) to Colorado, providing growers with time-sensitive information on pest development, spatial risk maps, management options, and spray selection tools to help inform their management decisions. The intern will help support this project by 1) processing the data to upload to this system by assisting with insect collections, counts, and identifications, and 2) contributing to outreach efforts so that local growers know that these free tools are available to them.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The long-term goal of this national project is to develop and adopt new integrated insect pest management strategies in the United States potato industry that serve as an effective alternative to neonicotinoids. The focus will be to develop pest prediction and decision-making tools for local Colorado potato growers through the adaptation of WSU’s Potato DAS. This will provide local growers, particularly those in the San Luis Valley area, with free, time-sensitive information on pest development, risk maps, management options, and spray selection tools to help inform their overall management decisions.
The goal will be accomplished through two different objectives, which the intern will have a major role in:
Objective 1: The first objective is to develop the above-listed tools for local growers. The intern will assist in data collection in the field, including the collection of insect specimen through weekly pan trap sampling. The intern will also assist in data processing in the lab, assisting in identifying major insect pests and uploading counts to the Potato DAS.
Objective 2: The second objective is to participate in extension work so that local growers know that these tools are available to them. To accomplish this objective, the intern will take an active role in participating in outreach events and grower talks, as well as developing extension materials, such as newsletters or website development.
- Stakeholder: The intern will primarily work with lead mentor Ashley Raffa (Research Associate), whose role will be to coordinate the research project in Colorado and develop extension materials. The intern will also work with the extension mentor, Dr. Mohamad Chikh-Ali, who will help facilitate connection with relevant stakeholders, such as local potato growers, as well as demonstrate extension’s role in assisting the growing community. The intern will also have the chance to collaborate with our industry partner, Agro Engineering, assisting the certified crop advisor will data collection.
- Learning Outcomes: By the end of the program, the intern will have developed a strong knowledge base in applied agricultural research techniques and standard practices. The intern will have developed strong skills in data collection techniques, advanced insect identification (at times, as specific as genus or species level), data analysis, as well as scientific writing. The intern will have the opportunity to participate in a research project from start to finish, including experimental design, data collection in the field, sample processing in the laboratory, insect identification, data analysis, and presentation of results. The intern will also have the chance to network with local stakeholders in the potato industry and learn more about the role of extension specialists.
Title: Potato IPM: Enhancing Integrated Insect Pest Management Strategies for U.S. Potato Production Systems
- Production of Pulse Crops in Western Colorado
- Lead Mentor: Todd Ballard
- College:
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: Food Systems
- Primary Location: Mesa
- Other Locations: Delta,Denver
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: The intern will participate in pulse crop experiments at the Western Colorado Research Center at Grand Valley (WCRC-GV). Several pulse crop projects are active at WCRC-GV at the time of application. A cowpea variety X phosphorus rate and marketing study will complete a production season during the internship. Current winter peas studies include a variety X phosphorus rate X irrigation cutoff date experiment and Water Use of Winter Peas in Residue Environments (MS study). The winter pea studies will be in reproductive growth at the commencement of the internship and harvested prior to the end of the internship. A potential additional crop is garbanzo.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Goals
1. The intern will learn research methodology through hands on engagement with formal field experiments.
2. Community engagement with the marketing portion of the cowpea project.
Scope
The work will be centered around field experiments at WCRC with a taste preference study at either the Fruita Farmers’ Market or Montrose Farmers' Market included for two weekends as the marketing component. A visit to CSU SPUR for the taste preference study there will be added at the discretion of the intern.
Objectives
1. To promote the development of pulse crop production techniques in western Colorado
2. To reassure producers pulse crop production is viable from both a production and marketing perspective
- Stakeholder: 1. Agricultural producers in the Tri-River Area
2. Potential consumers at farmers’ markets and CSU SPUR
- Learning Outcomes: 1. Learn the field steps involved in agronomy experiments
2. Improve communication skills with producers and direct to public consumers
Title: Production of Pulse Crops in Western Colorado
- Reinterpreting Rock Ledge Ranch for Youth Engagement
- Lead Mentor: Derek Lowstuter
- College:
- Primary Topic: Community & Economic Development
- Other Topics: Agriculture
- Primary Location: El Paso
- Other Locations:
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: This internship seeks to facilitate revision of the historical interpretive programming at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. The Ranch is evaluating potential expansions to its interpretive resources and must assess its capacities, needs, and opportunities. RLR particularly seeks interpretive strategies to integrate traditional knowledge and skills related to both Indigenous and settler histories in its public-facing interpretive elements and its educational programming.
Rock Ledge Ranch (RLR) is a living history landscape near Garden of the Gods and Glen Eyrie Castle in western Colorado Springs. The Ranch actively demonstrates the importance of the property (and agriculture in general) in Colorado’s history – immersing visitors in diverse cultural experiences. Interpretive programs include discussions on the habitation of the area by the Ute and other American Indian Nations, the impact of the 1862 Homestead Act on what is now the western United States, and the eventual purchase of the Ranch in 1900 by Colorado Springs’ founder, General William Palmer. However, the Ranch was most active during the period that the Chambers family lived on the property from 1874-1900. The Chambers settled there for the purported health benefits of the region’s climate and to produce food for the growing communities near the base of Pikes Peak. They built a magnificent masonry home, the Rock Ledge House, and began establishing themselves as agricultural innovators.
During a time of nationally declining history museum visitations, RLR has been able to increase its visitation through high-quality, engaging experiences. For example, RLR welcomed over 80,000 day-program and event “time-travelers� in 2023. Over 2,000 students, from multiple counties, attended educational programs last year. This included students from surrounding school districts and numerous homeschool groups. However, there are growing demands for more Ranch staff and educational programs.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The goal of the internship is to create a revised interpretive strategy for Rock Ledge Ranch (RLR) through researching the history of the ranch and the surrounding area to revise RLR’s public-facing interpretation and educational programming. The intern will inventory existing historical resources at RLR, survey existing applicable and appropriate historical interpretive approaches, identify interpretive strategies to maximize the value of existing historical resources for visitors and the local community, and produce an interpretive plan for RLR. The intern will meet with the RLR board, staff, and stakeholders (including the site’s Indigenous partners). They will conduct interviews and observe ranch activities. Through their review of historical literature and archival sources on the ranch, their observations, and their discussions, the intern will help identify goals for improving and expanding interpretative offerings. The intern will compile an interpretive plan delineating existing practices, programs, and resources and identifying strategies for revising existing and building new public-facing interpretive and educational programs. The intern will present the report to the board of directors and park staff for feedback at the conclusion of the internship.
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with internal and external stakeholders at the Ranch. These stakeholders will be paid Ranch and City staff, volunteers (including board members), partner groups that assist with special events, Colorado College History Department faculty, CSU Extension staff, and Pleasant Valley Neighborhood residents. At the request of Rock Ledge Ranch, the internship will place emphasis on Indigenous communities and individuals. Additional stakeholders will be engaged as they self-identify or are identified through interactions with other interest groups.
- Learning Outcomes: Through this internship, the intern will hone their historical research skills, learn how to engage with stakeholders in producing community history, and to prepare and present an interpretive plan.
Title: Reinterpreting Rock Ledge Ranch for Youth Engagement
- Returning Circles: Exploring Revegetation Pathways for Retired Croplands in the SLV
- Lead Mentor: Madeline Wilson
- College:
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: Natural Resources
- Primary Location: Rio Grande
- Other Locations: Saguache
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: By state mandate, economic constraint, and physical necessity, thousands of irrigated acres in the San Luis Valley will come out of potato, barley, and alfalfa production in a collective attempt to salvage our dwindling aquifers. Without adequate vegetative cover, these highly disturbed soils are susceptible to wind erosion and noxious weeds. The resulting public safety, water and air quality concerns of blowing dust, as well as the burden of weed management on producers and taxpayers begs the question of best practice for critical area revegetation in the SLV.
In response to local producer and stakeholder requests, CSU is designing, implementing, and monitoring several on-site revegetation strategies with the goal of delivering a Revegetation Playbook for producers navigating the transition from irrigated to dryland systems. This internship program will assist in the implementation and monitoring of various dryland restoration trials, assist in the writing of the Revegetation Playbook, and develop strong regional partnerships with SLV agencies, organizations, and producers at the nexus of agriculture and natural resource management.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Project Scope:
This ten-week internship will design, implement, and monitor the dryland restoration of de-watered croplands in the San Luis Valley. Mentorship team includes Madeline Wilson and Larry Brown of CSU Extension and Carrie Havrilla of CSU’s Dryland Ecology and Management Lab.
Internship Goals:
Develop an understanding of groundwater dependent agriculture, policy, and management in the San Luis Valley and the State of Colorado.
Gain experience with inter-disciplinary project management and collaborative conservation at the intersect of agriculture and natural resources.
Internship Objectives:
Monitor on-site strip trials including maintaining soil moisture sensors, taking soil samples, identifying native vegetation, communicating with producer cooperators, etc.
Research dryland restoration strategies, develop case study profiles, and assist with the writing of the Revegetation Playbook
Network with stakeholders at local meetings including but not limited to Rio Grande Basin Roundtable and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
- Stakeholder: Rio Grande Water Conservation District, the Rio Grande Roundtable, Colorado Water Conservation Board, the State Land Board, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, NRCS, CDA, Colorado Open Lands, County Commissioners, Wetland Dynamics LLC, Soil Health Services PBC, Cactus Hill Ag Consulting, USDA Range Management, and SLV Producers (Potato, Barley, Alfalfa).
- Learning Outcomes: Understanding of groundwater management and conservation including inter-state compacts, Senate Bill 22-028, CREP, center pivot irrigation, groundwater conservation easements, etc.
Understanding of dryland restoration strategies including identification and feed value of native species, development and application of soil inoculants,
Development of technical field research skills including soil moisture meter monitoring, soil and forage analysis and interpretation, how to use existing online tools (maps, databases, etc).
This interdisciplinary work presents opportunities for professional development through the direct collaboration with the stakeholder groups identified above. Additionally, the mentorship team will devote regular time to the identification and development of the intern's career goals.
Title: Returning Circles: Exploring Revegetation Pathways for Retired Croplands in the SLV
- San Juan Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership project
- Lead Mentor: Robin Young
- College: Warner College of Natural Resources
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Natural Resources
- Primary Location: Archuleta
- Other Locations: La Plata
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: This internship program is to assist Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) with their San Juan Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership Project. The objectives of the San Juan Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership Project are to protect communities adjacent to and within the Turkey Springs project treatment area from a high intensity wild land fire, improve forest health and improve wildlife habitat. The public and private treatments will include mastication of shrubs and small trees, thinning of decadent aspen, and thinning of dense forest stands.
The project will build on an ongoing partnership effort that has begun reducing fuels on private lands and public lands through grants from the Colorado State Forest Service, and federal match from the USFS and NRCS. These projects have been made possible, in the past, with help from many partners, including the San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership, Colorado State Forest Service, San Juan Conservation District, Mountain Studies Institute, National Forest Foundation and the State of Colorado.
The intern would be responsible for public outreach to all private landowners within the project area. They would schedule field visits to individual properties and develop forest management plans and create maps for each parcel. The intern would work closely with NRCS to solicit participation in the joint project through NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) which provides financial and technical assistance for the implementation of conservation practices that address natural resource concerns on private land. These practices will help reduce catastrophic wildfire danger, improve forest health, and promote wildlife habitat.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The intern will work closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide outreach and education to private landowners within the project area. Forest Management Plans and maps will be developed for all interested private landowners. They will solicit participation in the joint project through the EQIP program and keep the United States Forest Service (USFS) apprised of their progress.
- Stakeholder: NRCS, San Juan Conservation District, USFS, CSU Extension
- Learning Outcomes: Forest Health Best Management Practices
Wildfire modeling
Community Protection from wildfire
Public outreach
Collaborative endeavor – working on a large landscape-based project across private/public land with multiple entities
Title: San Juan Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership project
- Scoping the Health Benefits of Gardening
- Lead Mentor: Sara LoTemplio
- College: Warner College of Natural Resources
- Primary Topic: Horticulture
- Other Topics: Health and Wellbeing
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Statewide
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: The Master Gardener program is entering its 50th anniversary year this year. The program has served thousands of people over the years, many of whom are older adults. While we know about some of the benefits of this program and related programs, such as fresh produce provided by the Garden and Give program, the increases in community knowledge about horticulture due to educational events, etc., we know less about some of the health benefits of gardening that community members may be receiving in Colorado. Specifically, there is little information within CSU Extension about the benefits that older adults specifically may experience due to gardening. Therefore, the intern will complete a systematic scoping review of the scientific literature on how gardening affects cognitive aging outcomes in older adults. This will culminate in a fact sheet being written on the topic for use statewide.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The goals of the internship are
1. To conduct a systematic scoping review of the literature on gardening and aging
2. To write a fact sheet summarizing this information
3. To draft a peer-reviewed publication, with opportunity to gain authorship after the internship is over
- Stakeholder: Older adults in Colorado
- Learning Outcomes: The student will learn
1) How to conduct a systematic literature review
2) How to screen articles
3) How to summarize evidence for community audiences
4) Opportunity to learn how to summarize evidence for scientific audiences in the form of a peer-reviewed publication.
Title: Scoping the Health Benefits of Gardening
- Showing the Benefit of Outdoor Exposure on Mental Health: Be a Camp Educator with ENOR Environmental Day Camp in Jefferson County
- Lead Mentor: Josey Pukrop
- College:
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: 4-H & Youth
- Primary Location: Jefferson
- Other Locations: Jefferson
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: If one of your fondest childhood memories is about going to camp, then this internship is for you! ENOR (Eagle’s Nest Owl’s Roost) is celebrating 51 years as an environmental day camp for youth in or near Jefferson County. Through this internship you will bring the magic of camp to youth, while educating them about important environmental education topics. This day camp is offered Monday-Friday for four weeks over the summer with campers being in session from 8-4:30 daily.
ENOR Mission Statement: To provide a cornerstone for lifelong learning through the integration of social and environmental themes, thereby fostering enduring stewards of our natural resources.
Distinct from other outdoor camps are ENOR’s key emphases on FOCUS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY, CARE, AND PARTNERSHIPS:
ENOR’s FOCUS is environmental education and youth development rather than recreation. Each day the curriculum highlights unique environmental and social themes that guide learning.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY: To encourage healthy lifestyles, active engagement with the outdoors, and perseverance through challenge, the camp day takes place hiking and exploring in local parks and open spaces.
CARE: Campers are assigned to one caring educator for the week. This gives campers the opportunity to bond with their leader and peers, creating a pathway to comfort and safety, supporting an environment of learning.
PARTNERSHIPS: Personalized instruction is paired with supplemental programming from several natural resource professionals that enhance the opportunity for the campers to broaden their horizons and interact with professionals in various fields.
ENOR has positively impacted over 20,000 children over the past 50 years. Will you be our next teammate that helps youth find their spark in environmental education?
Please note: Due to daycare licensing requirements, a successful applicant must be able to provide documentation of 455 verifiable hours of working with school-aged children.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: This internship will include camp preparation, camp delivery and post-camp evaluation duties. We will ask you to join a pilot course (appx 6 hours) to learn about data collection and analysis so that you can be better prepared to assist with research on the correlation between mental health and time spent in nature.
For the majority of the internship you’ll serve as an educator for camp, and will be an integral part of the team. Curriculum is already created, but you’ll be able to provide key feedback on changes to strengthen the program for future years. Additionally, you’ll learn about camp daycare policies and safety measures while in the field, and support planning, implementing, and evaluating camper’s experiences and level of learning post camp.
- Stakeholder: ENOR has dynamic relationships with a number of community partners and natural resource professionals that support the camp annually through hosting campers, providing hands-on activities and presentations and providing other educational materials. The intern will be in a unique position to connect with these partners while engaging in meaningful learning experiences with the campers. ENOR has had a consistent relationship with Jeffco Open Space Rangers, Colorado School of Mines mining engineers, Gilpin Historical Society, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Denver Water to name a few. These partnerships allow for professional networking for post-graduation employment opportunities.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will learn the in’s and out’s of running, delivering and evaluating an educational camp. You’ll get to form great relationships with campers of several ages and present environmental education programming while serving in an outdoor educator role. If curriculum development is of interest, intern can focus post-camp time on revamping curriculum or developing new lessons as determined by camper evaluation surveys. Throughout the internship, the student will be engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders and community partners. They will build professional relationships and practice their networking skills while in a supportive environment. This internship is sure to diversify your resume!
Title: Showing the Benefit of Outdoor Exposure on Mental Health: Be a Camp Educator with ENOR Environmental Day Camp in Jefferson County
- Statewide Education and Outreach about Colorado Wolverine Reintroduction
- Lead Mentor: Dr. Mireille Gonzalez
- College: Warner College of Natural Resources
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Agriculture
- Primary Location: Garfield
- Other Locations: Garfield,Larimer,Pitkin
- About Location: Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
- Internship Overview: We will be running education and outreach events about upcoming wolverine reintroduction in Colorado. We will deliver these events between June and August, 2025 in the front range (Denver, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs) and the Western Slope (Garfield, Pitkin, and Gunnison counties). The west slope locations are particularly important because these are the locations wolverines will be restored so we want to be sure to engage with community members and stakeholders (particularly ski industry who may have concerns about wolverines). We will do both in person and online events.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: There are two internship goals:
1) Deliver education and outreach events about Colorado wolverine reintroduction.
2) Package the information from these education events into extension materials for local extension specialists.
- Stakeholder: Colorado Parks and Wildlife, ski industry representatives and skiers, local communities, environmental NGOs.
- Learning Outcomes: Learning Outcomes
1. Best practices in delivering education and outreach events and materials
2. Biological information about wolverine species
3. Policy pathways for wildlife management decision-making
Professional Development
1. Presenting scientific information to local communities
2. Complex project management
3. Communicating with key stakeholders to develop materials
Title: Statewide Education and Outreach about Colorado Wolverine Reintroduction
- The Changing Economic Contributions of Agriculture and Food in Larimer County
- Lead Mentor: Rebecca Hill
- College:
- Primary Topic: Community & Economic Development
- Other Topics: Agriculture
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Statewide
- About Location: On-campus
- Internship Overview: This internship is a partnership between Extension, the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and the Larimer County Agricultural Advisory Board to frame and conduct an analysis of the Economic Contributions of Agriculture to the County as well as the region. The Intern will work with economists Rebecca Hill and Dawn Thilmany to learn about data collection and methodology for these types of studies. The intern will also work with Cary Weiner and members of the Larimer County Agriculture Advisory Board to learn about the community's needs and how to present the results of the research to the community. The intern will have the opportunity to consider different relevant policies and programs and how they could impact the economic contribution.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: 1. Lead discussion with Ag Advisory board and ag-aligned community based organizations about potential programs, policies and investments they are considering in the county or region and the variables they are interested in exploring for economic impact related to agriculture;
2. Frame an economic contribution analysis for the ag and food sector for Larimer County, perhaps in comparison to the state of Colorado and a Northern Colorado region;
3. Consider how policies and programs being considered and other variables of interest could be integrated into the contribution analysis to inform the community on how their choices may influence economic activity in the sector and broader county.
4. Write a final report for the Ag Advisory board summarizing findings and present these findings at a board meeting.
- Stakeholder: The main community stakeholder will be the Larimer County Ag Advisory Board. In addition to the Ag Advisory Board the intern will also work with the following local stakeholders working in this space who will also benefit from this study and provide valuable information and data for the analysis: the Northern Colorado Foodshed Project, Poudre Valley Community Farms, and/or other stakeholders.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will be working directly with Ag Advisory Board members and will learn how local government boards work and the decision making process. If this internship is funded the Ag Advisory Board plans to make a sub-committee that will work directly with the intern and the mentor committee helping to guide the study.
The intern will learn how to frame and apply a community based analysis and set of scenarios into the IMPLAN economic framework. Learning and understanding input output analysis is a skillset that will be valuable professional development for the intern.
The intern will learn how to lead community discussions to better understand opportunities they are pursuing and how we can inform those with our economic tools.
Title: The Changing Economic Contributions of Agriculture and Food in Larimer County
- UAVs in Multi-Disciplinary Agricultural Research and Outreach: Cutting-Edge Technology for Real World Water Challenges
- Lead Mentor: Perry Cabot
- College: College of Agricultural Sciences
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: Natural Resources
- Primary Location: Mesa
- Other Locations: Delta,Dolores
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: The internship will support researchers and extension professionals utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or drones) technology to develop innovative management strategies that allow producers to optimize production, reduce costs, and protect the environment. The team will utilize drones around two primary Research Facilities to focus on challenging issues in Western Colorado, such as the need for enhanced crop production systems, innovative sustainable agriculture and food systems, increasing resilience to climate change, protection of environmental resources, and efficient use of water resources. The value proposition of this project is to expand the capability and influence of CSU, by equipping our Western Colorado units to engage in UAV-enabled research and training projects that are disadvantaged by the lack of training in this technology.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The team will work to develop expertise, training and application of drone imagery to provide farmers with immediate feedback on crop health, water use and stress, and pest pressure. One objective of the project will be to utilize drone technology throughout the summer, developing an understanding of spectral signatures applications, energy or flux source footprints, crop stress behavior and targeted evaluations necessary to fully apply these tools at broader scales. Another objective will be to train local producers in the applicability of these tools to their current management experiences and farming needs. Lastly, a third objective will be to develop Extension and Engagement materials meant to capture the lessons we have learned through the summer and contribute to the body of knowledge that exists on the primary CSU campus.
- Stakeholder: Dominant local partners will include Gunnison County ranchers and producers, Mesa County farmers and producers, Colorado River District, and The Nature Conservancy. Access to state-of-the-art UAV imaging capacity and data processing will substantially improve the capability of the WCRC to engage in impactful research in Western Colorado. Colorado State University is poised to use this technology with pilot training through the CSU Drone Center (https://www.research.colostate.edu/csudronecenter/). Throughout the applied research process, it will be important to recognize areas of improvement through the lens of CSU’s Principles of Community. This will be an opportunity to contribute input on questions like: 1) who is in the room/space?; 2) whose voices are being left out in these spaces?, and; 3) what are alternative approaches to providing a solution? An on-campus mentor (Elias G. Quiñonez) will engage inter
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will learn data collection techniques using field instrumentation for collecting information on assessing crop water consumptive use, crop stress patterns, pest and week pressures, as well as other signature issues relating to precision farming with innovative technology. The student will be given the opportunity to test for a Part 107 Drone Operators License. The student will also perform QA/QC of raw field data for the purpose of later publication in fact sheets, technical reports or publications. The student will have the experience of working with a diverse group of stakeholders, all of whom are interested in adopting novel farming techniques in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Other students who have participated in similar projects have obtained positions in consulting, government agencies and graduate programs. The student will likely be using one of the better technologies available, such as the fixed-wing UAV manufactured by Parrot (https://www.parrot.com/business-solutions-us/agriculture); multi-spectral camera by DJI (https://www.dji.com/p4-multispectral) or Micasense (https://micasense.com/rededge-mx/); and image stitching software by PIX4D (https://www.pix4d.com/product/pix4dfields).
Title: UAVs in Multi-Disciplinary Agricultural Research and Outreach: Cutting-Edge Technology for Real World Water Challenges
- Understanding the Potential Profitability for Specialty Crops and Value-Added Activities Used in Agritourism Operations in Southwestern Colorado
- Lead Mentor: Martha Sullins
- College:
- Primary Topic: Food Systems
- Other Topics: Community & Economic Development
- Primary Location: Montezuma
- Other Locations: Delta,Mesa,Montrose
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: Agricultural businesses often look to specialty crops for income diversification, especially when those crops can be used to create both valued added products and visitor experiences. Both of these production strategies can yield new market opportunities that increase and diversify income sources and create new connections with consumers. This internship will create tools to help producers evaluate the profitability of two different specialty crops and two different visitor experiences with potential to bring new revenue to their respective operations.
Also, adding an agritourism-based enterprise to an existing agricultural operation can be a daunting task for agricultural producers. In order to assist producers to build successful agritourism enterprises they need to fully understand local and state regulations. Building from existing resources the intern will survey needs of producers and create a guide of the regulatory environment specific to agritourism.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Project Scope:
This ten-week internship will support the development of two budget tools (enterprise budgets and partial budgets) to help agricultural producers in Southwestern Colorado (and possibly beyond) to assess the financial viability of using specialty crops to build new markets for their products. In addition to understanding the profitability of growing each crop, producers will be able to use a partial budget to calculate the opportunity cost of adding a visitor component via agritourism.
Finally, building off available existing resources (https://cofarmtomarket.com/ and https://coagritourismbiz.org/), this intern will work with a small group of producers to learn what regulatory knowledge gaps exist related to local and state regulations related to agritourism, specifically health and local land use rules. They will then create a guide to help producers navigate rules and regulations as they consider value adding agritourism to their enterprise.
Internship Objectives:
1. Work with a small group of producers in Montezuma County to understand the costs and returns to growing lavender and a fruit tree crop such as apples or peaches.
2. Work with a small group of producers in Montezuma County to understand where gaps in knowledge exist related to regulations and rules for agritourism enterprises.
3. Incorporating information from the producer discussions above, develop two enterprise budgets: one for lavender and one for a fruit tree crop, and a guide of local rules/regulations for local agritourism.
4. Build two partial budgets that identify the costs and revenues associated with developing the assets to support two visitor experiences: 1) pick-your-own; 2) consumer-facing class, in contrast to selling direct to consumer at a farmers market.
5. Share the results of these budgeting tools and agritourism guide to a group of producers in Montezuma County.
- Stakeholder: • Colorado Agritourism Association
• Western Colorado Lavender Growers Association
• Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Markets Division
• CSU Department of Ag and Resource Economics
• Specialty crop producers throughout Montezuma and neighboring County
• Montezuma County economic development directors (Cortez, Mancos, Towaoc and Dolores)
• Montezuma County Planning and Zoning
• Montezuma County Health Department
- Learning Outcomes: The learning outcomes anticipated include
1. Develop interviewing skills in working directly with agricultural producers
2. Learn about and build budget tools that have direct relevance to growers’ opportunities to enhance their business profitability
3. Learn about and create a guide to help farmers navigate agritourism rules/regulations as a part of their enterprise
4. Work with a variety of agricultural stakeholders, from the local to the state level
Title: Understanding the Potential Profitability for Specialty Crops and Value-Added Activities Used in Agritourism Operations in Southwestern Colorado
- Urban Agriculture and Pollinator Activity
- Lead Mentor: Jennifer Bousselot
- College: College of Agricultural Sciences
- Primary Topic: Horticulture
- Other Topics: Agriculture
- Primary Location: Larimer
- Other Locations: Denver,El Paso
- About Location: On-campus
- Internship Overview: This internship will focus on the goal of learning and sharing information on pollinators, food security and urban crop production. The scope will be across the front range working with researchers and organizations based in Fort Collins, Denver and Colorado Springs.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: Objectives include 1.) interviewing organizations focused on food justice and security to better understand challenges and opportunities in urban food production and equity, 2.) Creating digital written content about the research and/or the interviews with the food organizations to be published through county Extension channels, 3.) helping with data collection and harvests of crops, 4.) Perform outreach to communities and groups interested in pollinator observation workshops or urban food production workshops, 5.) Learn and practice the Native Bee Watch pollinator observation protocol at research sites. Pollinator observations will be conducted as developed by Mason et al. (2018). [Mason, L., Kondratieff, B. C., & Seshadri, A. 2018. Native Bee Watch: A Colorado Citizen Science Field Guide. Colorado State University, College of Agricultural Sciences.]
- Stakeholder: Extension, horticulture, and green agriculture/local agriculture
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will gain hands-on experience learning about the horticultural aspects of green roof agriculture as well as pollinator identification. Additionally, the intern will interact with extension professionals and volunteers by participating in workshops focused on native bees and/or urban agriculture across the front range. The intern will gain hands-on field experience and will have the opportunity to educate extension volunteers on Native Bee Watch protocols and the process of growing green roof crops. The intern will also be interacting with food organizations to research how they operate and how they are improving food resources for underserved communities.
Title: Urban Agriculture and Pollinator Activity
- Ute Learning Garden
- Lead Mentor: Jeff Pieper
- College:
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Food Systems
- Primary Location: Mesa
- Other Locations: Delta,Montezuma,Montrose
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: The Ute Learning Garden is a ethnobotany garden focused on educating the public about the Ute people. This position will be working both in and outdoors. The intern will be working to carry out a strategic plan to complete garden design and ethnobotanic activities. The mentee will research the Ute people and culture to create additional interpretive and botanical signage. Additionally, the mentee may help perform physical tasks in garden planning/development, including building the teepee, planting plants, installing signs, etc. The mentee will work closely with the Ute Garden Associate Coordinator, two Extension specialists and several partner organizations to complete various goals revolving around educational opportunities in and for the Ute Learning Garden.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The scope of this project covers a broad range of activities in the Ute Learning Garden. While these activities may vary day to day, the main goal of this internship is to continue developing the Ute Learning Garden as community educational site and resource. To do so, the objective is to develop garden resources and materials. The objectives are to create 2-4 new interpretive signs, develop signage for plants in the garden, and 2-4 new activities we can use in garden programming/tours.
- Stakeholder: The Ute Learning Garden is a collaboration between Bureau of Land Management, CSU Extension, and Mesa County. The gardens rely on docents, volunteers and community members to provide tours for the public. Many of the tours are conducted for elementary and middle school aged children. The mentee will engage across all these groups.
- Learning Outcomes: This internship will be a great way to learn more about Extension on the county level. The mentee will learn the importance of collaboration, and how to develop working relationships with key stakeholder groups, funding agencies, and volunteers. The mentee will also develop research skills, learning how to convey information to the public, create interpretive signage and activities for garden based programs. The mentee will also learn about public garden design, maintenance, and upkeep.
Title: Ute Learning Garden
- Virtual Fencing on Public Lands
- Lead Mentor: Hannah Cranor-Kersting
- College:
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: Natural Resources
- Primary Location: Gunnison
- Other Locations: Archuleta,Eagle,La Plata
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: The Gunnison County Extension Office is working with campus partners and local producers to expand virtual fencing knowledge that can be used to make informed decisions about the deployment of this technology on public lands.
The first part of the internship will be gaining knowledge of the Vence Virtual Fence system. This will include learning how the system works, management of the cattle using the system, how to use the interface (home based computer vs. mobile device), and gaining some practical experience in successfully using virtual fencing.
During the second part of the internship, the intern will interview and work with public lands managers who are involved in using virtual fencing or are interested in using the technology.
A report will be produced as a final product to help public lands managers determine the viability of fencing systems for their organizations.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The goals of the internship are to evaluate the use of virtual fencing on public lands from a public land manager perspective. While many ranchers are interested in adopting this new technology, and there is interest from county commissioners, there is uncertainty about the implications, feasibility, and logistics from a public land management perspective. The intern will interview public land managers (i.e., natural resource and rangeland management staff from the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service) on barriers and opportunities for adoption of virtual fence they see within their agencies.
By interviewing public lands managers in multiple counties, we expect the results of the project will be applicable to cattle production systems across the Western Slope of Colorado.
Objectives are: 1.) Explore the practical issues associated with a new fencing technology from a public land management perspective 2.) Determine what barriers (physical, policy, logistical, financial) and opportunities that exist with using the technology on public lands.
- Stakeholder: The intern will work with public lands managers in Gunnison County, Eagle County and Archuleta/La Plata County. The intern will also work with local producers engaged in the virtual fencing trial.
- Learning Outcomes: The student will learn how the virtual fencing system works. They will also establish relationships with local and state-wide stakeholders. They will learn how to conduct interviews to gather information to help answer a research question. The student will be expected to interact with many different stakeholders in a professional manner – gaining connections to help them further their professional career.
Specific learning objectives include: 1) Experience with the Extension system. 2) Practical understanding of cattle fencing systems and management 3) Exposure to practical problem-solving 4) understanding of the public land management and natural resource management.
Title: Virtual Fencing on Public Lands
- Western Colorado Entomology Internship
- Lead Mentor: Melissa Schreiner
- College:
- Primary Topic: Natural Resources
- Other Topics: Horticulture
- Primary Location: Mesa
- Other Locations: Delta,Garfield,Gunnison,Ouray
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: Summary:
This internship provides a unique opportunity to explore Western Colorado’s diverse insect biodiversity while contributing to the digitization of our insect teaching collection, established over 30 years ago by our entomology Extension program. The selected intern will gain hands-on experience in insect curation, taxonomy, and identification, ensuring the collection remains a vital resource for research and conservation. Fieldwork across various ecosystems will enhance the intern’s insect collecting skills while adding valuable reference material to the collection. Collaborating with CSU’s Warner College of Natural Resources and entomologist Tristan Kubik, the intern will help integrate rare data into broader conservation efforts, particularly in undersurveyed rural areas. This role also offers opportunities to develop general entomology skills and deliver educational programs through organized outreach events, providing professional experience in public engagement. Candidates interested in pollinator and invertebrate conservation are encouraged to apply. The intern will assist in insect collection and cataloging, including occasional surveys supporting the Colorado Natural Heritage Program
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: This internship supports the development of future field biologists by offering hands-on experience in insect identification, curation, and conservation. Interns will work with experts in diverse ecosystems, enhancing their skills in field collection and taxonomy while contributing to a teaching collection and broader conservation efforts. It also provides opportunities to engage in public outreach and explore career paths in entomology and invertebrate conservation.
- Stakeholder: The intern will collaborate with CSU Extension, CSU Colorado Natural Heritage Program, local land managers, and public land agencies to facilitate insect collection and ensure their work aligns with state and regional conservation efforts. They will also engage with members of rural communities, educating others, including youth, on the ecological role of insects in local ecosystems and natural resources.
- Learning Outcomes: The intern will gain skills in insect identification, curation, field collection, and digital data management. They will deepen their understanding of biodiversity, focusing on insects’ ecological roles in rural, undersurveyed areas. Collaborating with mentors and stakeholders will enhance teamwork, communication, and scientific outreach skills. The student will participate in at least two outreach teaching with the insect collection.
Title: Western Colorado Entomology Internship
- White Plum Farm - Year 2
- Lead Mentor: Katherine Caswell
- College:
- Primary Topic: Agriculture
- Other Topics: Natural Resources
- Primary Location: Weld
- Other Locations: Washington
- About Location: In the field
- Internship Overview: Weld County Extension began a partnership with the City of Greeley Museums in 2023 to initiate the development of an agriculture education site. While the long-term goals for this site encompass larger projects for community landscaping education and events, a portion of the historic homestead will be developed to demonstrate conservation practices and methods for Colorado’s unique cropping systems. The primary objective for the second year is evaluate the success of cover crops from year 1, help design and implement an Integrated Weed Management plan, and identify weed species of concern. The intern would be responsible for assisting with all the plot work, including learning plot design, the planting process, data collection, and developing educational materials for the future. As no project is conducted in isolation, the intern will also be involved in aiding with other research projects in Weld County and the Eastern Region, along with generating media articles around these topics.
- Goals, Scope and Objectives: The goal of this internship is for the intern to aid with the evaluation of year 1 and to take ownership of at least one aspect of cover crop evaluation (weed control, soil health, or forage quality), and write articles about their observations and experiences. Additionally, the intern will be exposed to regional Extension activities, including the Crops Testing programs summer events and on-going research projects. There are opportunities for the intern to spend days with other Extension Specialists to shadow them and assist with data collection on a range of projects. The main scope of the project will be to assist in the growth and further the implementation of field restoration at White Plum Farm in Greeley, with the intern selecting their own objective and focus within that project.
- Stakeholder: Weld County Extension Office, City of Greeley Museums, USDA NRCS, Eastern Region of CSU Extension, CSU Crops Testing, Department of Soil and Crop Science, City of Greeley
- Learning Outcomes: It is anticipated that the student would gain knowledge in crop research methods, how to plan a crop research project, and how to conduct common methods of data collection. Finally, the intern will be writing articles along the way about their observations and experiences with the project, before writing a final report of their project observations. This report will be an informal, Extension style report that can be in any format, including: written article, video, herbarium, etc.
Through opportunities to attend Extension events in the Eastern Region, the intern will be exposed to the varying farming conditions in northeast Colorado. Finally, the intern will be exposed to the day-to-day aspect of being an Extension Specialist. The intern’s primary goal will be to work on the White Plum Farm project but will also be able to ride along with Extensions Specialists and researchers as they go about their summer.
Title: White Plum Farm - Year 2