Intern - Crop Technician

About the role

Crop Technician Interns perform various crop diagnostic jobs throughout the growing season, including scouting fields, collecting tissue samples, soil moisture probing, soil sampling, performing UAV flights, and assisting with field signs. They support Keystone Cooperative in making timely, informed, and economic decisions.

Responsibilities

• Scouting: Create scouting reports that identify weeds, insects, diseases, growth stages, stand counts, and any other field anomalies; report observations back to the Ag Tech team.
• UAV Flights: Utilize drones to make aerial observations, produce imagery, and collect data.
• Tissue Sampling: Collect corn or soybean tissue and prepare for testing.
• Soil Moisture Probing: Perform soil moisture tests in designated fields and report data back to the Ag Tech team; install moisture monitoring equipment used to make watering recommendations on irrigated fields.
• Soil Sampling: Collect soil nitrate samples to monitor in‑season nutrient availability.
• Field Signs: Organize, place, and remove field signs.
• Travel: 100% travel within territory.
• Work split: Approximately 75% of time in fields, 25% in training, tours, and events.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Participate in weekly professional development activities.

Skills

• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and in all weather conditions.
• Above‑average organizational skills; ability to grasp new concepts quickly and learn rapidly.
• Self‑motivated; capable of completing work with little or no supervision in a timely manner.
• Agronomy students preferred, but any student with a genuine interest in agriculture/agronomy is considered.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and reliable vehicle.
• Proficiency with iPad, GPS software, and field equipment.

Qualifications

Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.

Benefits

• Mileage reimbursement at the IRS standard rate.
• Reimbursement for drone license education and exam fees.
• Incentives or awards for interns who complete the internship.

Schedule

Flexible work schedule with approximately 75% of time spent in fields and 25% in training, tours, and events; 100% travel within the assigned territory.