AgCorps Organics, Apiary & Nursery Specialist
AgCorps Mission: To serve Montana communities by providing Ag literacy and environmental stewardship education to create resilient, healthy, and engaged communities under the Big Sky.
The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program places and maintains survey traps at locations of risk of introduction around the state to monitor for potentially new invasive species. This program provides early detection of possible invasive species introductions in the state, allowing for quicker response to new threats. This member will provide communities and stakeholders with updated materials including information on insects being monitored for, as well as invasive insects and invertebrates of concern. This member has the opportunity to analyze specimens from collected traps to gain experience with a dissecting microscope, examining insects, and learning entomological mounting and labeling techniques. This member may accompany Department staff to learn about site selection and how to place insect traps for monitoring.
The MDA Organic Program is an accredited Certifier with the USDA National Organic Program. We provide certification services for producers and handlers. This is a fee-based program that receives no monies from the general fund. The purpose of service to the organic producers and handlers is to ascertain the level of customer satisfaction with the program through a survey so the program can adapt to the needs of the community. The member will also collect statistics of crop types and acreages for USDA AMS statistics and provide educational outreach to extension agents in the state so they can better serve the organic community.
Montana typically ranks in the top five states in the U.S. for honey production. MDA registers all apiary sites in the state. There are four types of apiary registrations: General (Commercial), Pollination, Landowner and Hobbyist. An AgCorps service member will create and distribute educational materials, to communities/stakeholders throughout Montana, to support the Apiary program. In addition to the creation and distribution of materials, AgCorps members will be able to give presentations on the importance of Apiary and how it directly affects agriculture in the state of Montana.
Essential Functions and responsibilities:
- Create educational and Outreach materials for apiary, organics, and CAPs programs
- Distribute education and outreach materials to the public and stakeholders
- Create and conduct client survey for Organics program
- Collect and utilize crop and acreage statistics for AMS and/or MDA
- Assist with Organics data transfer project
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
- Ability to drive with general navigation skills
- Writing and Record keeping
- Public speaking and communication skills
- Knowledge or willingness to learn about invasive species, honeybees, and organics in Montana
- Basic computer software knowledge (design and editing)
- Data collection and interpretation skills
AmeriCorps Program Benefits:
- Members receive a living allowance of $21,000 to cover basic expenses while serving
- Upon successful completion of service, members receive a $7,895 education award
- While serving, members may qualify for student loan forbearance
- Healthcare/ childcare services are available while serving
- A $200/month housing stipend if eligible
- Other benefits include being part of an incredible community, being surrounded by professionals in multiple fields, and job shadowing opportunities
- AmeriCorps alumni benefits include access to nationwide alumni network, many career resources, access to AmeriCorps alumni emails and updates
AmeriCorps Service minimum Requirements:
- Must be 18+ at the beginning of service (17+ requires parental consent)
- High school graduate, GED recipient, working towards obtaining a high school diploma/ GED
- Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien
- Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria