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6/12/2015

Want to Change the Food System? Here's Where to Start | Civil Eats

Photo by Coqui the Chef.

By Adrien Schless-Meier on May 13, 2014


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At Civil Eats, we often get inquiries from people across the U.S. who want to start volunteering or working in the
food system, but arent entirely sure howor whereto get their hands dirty.
The good news is there are myriad ways to make a meaningful impact, whether in your backyard or across the
globe. You could join a localfood policy council, start a petition onChange.org,write a blog, set up
informational interviews with food system leaders, take an online course, join or start a community garden,
orlearn from others about how they got started. There are also several great organizations that we think are
making a difference. Below, weve listed a number of groups from multiple sectors in the food system which
regularly offer opportunities for people looking to become more involved, including volunteer and internship
positions, entry-level jobs, and academic and vocational programs.
Agriculture and Land Conservation

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Want to Change the Food System? Here's Where to Start | Civil Eats

National Family Farm Coalition NFFC represents family farmers and rural communities in the face of
economic pressures and inequities. The organization regularly supports interns and volunteers who
contribute to the organizations work to protect and strengthen farmer livelihoods through
communications, research, and policy analysis.
National Young Farmers Coalition NYFC is dedicated to ensuring that the next generation of farmerscan
grow food on ecologically vibrant, affordable land. The coalition offers internships in campaign
development, blogging, and event planning.
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition NSAC is an alliance of grassroots organizations that
advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural
resources, and rural communities. The organization offers paid, full-time internships three times a year to
work in their Policy and Grassroots departments.
Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) PANNA is one of five regional centers working to
build an ecologically sound and socially just food system by eliminating the use of pesticides and
hazardous chemicals in agriculture. The organization regularly supports volunteers and interns in
developing skills in the nonprofit and advocacy sectors.
Rodale Institute Rodale Institute researches and promotes best practices in organic agriculture to
farmers, scientists, and consumers, and advocates for policies that support farmers. The organization
typically offers seasonal fellowships from early spring to late fall.
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF-USA) WWOOF-USA offers workers the
opportunity to connect with sustainable farmers across the U.S., exchanging labor for on-farm room and
board.
North East Workers on Organic Farms (NEWOOF) NEWOOF is a regional farm apprenticeship
placement
MOREINGENERAL,GOODFOO
service that facilitates connections between farms and workers in the Northeastern U.S.
Cooking up Change: Chef
On a recent Tuesday, 12 c
Food Access and Food Justice
Half Moon Bay, an hour so
The Food Trust Based in Philadelphia, The Food Trust works to ensure that everyone has access to
affordable, nutritious food and information to make healthy decisions. The organization regularly hosts
student interns from a variety of backgrounds, including public health, social work, writing, nutrition
education, business, tourism and hospitality, urban gardening, special events, community development,
public policy, and urban studies.
Food and Water Watch Food and Water Watch is a national consumer advocacy organization that
challenges the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources. Internship opportunities
are available three times a year to undergraduates, recent graduates, and graduate students.
Food First Food First is a think tank that advocates for policies that support a just, ecologically sound
food system. Interns contribute to the organization through written work on issues related to food justice
and food sovereignty, and many interns complete one or more publications.
Slow Food USA Slow Food USA supports a global food system that is good, clean, and fair for all. The
organization has 170 local chapters and 40 campus chapters across the U.S. and aims to preserve food
cultures, cultivate new leadership, and connect communities through food. Slow Food USA offers
internships year-round in a range of fields, including development, policy and advocacy, and operations.
Education and Academia
Agriculture Sustainability Institute at UC-DavisStudents majoring in Sustainable Agriculture and Food
Systems (SA&FS) focus on the social, economic and environmental aspects of food and agriculture from
farm to table and beyond. (This is the only undergraduate major in the field)
American University Master of Science in Nutrition Education For those looking to promote better
nutrition in their communities, American University offers an online degree program that targets healthy
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Want to Change the Food System? Here's Where to Start | Civil Eats

changes in large institutions.


Berkeley Food Institute BFI is an interdisciplinary institute at U.C. Berkeley designed to promote more
resilient and just food systems, both on the local and global levels. BFI has over75 affiliated faculty and
staffon the U.C. Berkeley campus.
Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture CUESA offers education programs for urban
eaters to learn more about local farmers and sustainable agriculture, and operates the Ferry Plaza
Farmers Market in San Francisco. CUESA regularly posts opportunities for volunteers to develop skills in
community education, communications, and outreach.
Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at UC-Santa Cruz CASFS educational
opportunities both on the farm and in the classroom. The program aims to increase ecological
sustainability and social justice in the food and agriculture system.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health JHBSPH offers academic programs in health and
behavior, public policy, and nutrition. The university also houses the Center for a Livable Future and the
Global Center on Childhood Obesity.
Marylhurst University Department of Food Systems and Society Marylhurst has a Masters of Science
program in food systems and society. The interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on equity, justice, and
sustainability in our food system.
NYU Steinhardt School Food Studies Program NYU offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral
programs in a range of issues across the food system, including public health and nutrition, food and
culture, and public policy.
Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy Tufts food studies curriculum focuses on two
main areas of study: Health and nutrition and food and agriculture policy.
University of Vermont Farmer Training Program Those aspiring to step into the field and begin farming
can participate in UVMs six-month beginning farmer training program. The course of study covers several
topics in sustainable land management through hands-on, experiential learning.
Yale University Yale offers undergraduate courses and graduate programs in agrarian studies. The
university also sponsors the Yale Sustainable Food Project and the Rudd Center for Food Policy and
Obesity.
Government
U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA offers internship and career development opportunities for young
people in high school, current undergraduate students, and recent college graduates. USDA also partners
with organizations who offer stipends for students of color interested in pursuing unpaid internships with a
federal agency.
USDA Hispanic-Serving Institutions National Program
USDA-Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership Partnership
USDA-Washington Internship for Native Students
U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry The Senate Ag Committee offers
internships and fellowships in the spring, summer, and fall. Individuals with interest in agricultural-related
policy are encouraged to apply. While all candidates will be given full consideration, preference is given to
students, and also those whose permanent residence is the Chair or Ranking Members home states. In
order to proceed in submitting an application, please select the office to which you are applying, the
Democrat or Republican office of the Committee.
Hunger and Nutrition
Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship The Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program trains the next
generation of anti-hunger leaders through a combination of community-based field and national policy
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work. Participants learn about a range of approaches to eliminate hunger, poverty, and social inequality
(particularly racism), and develop skills in areas such as program development, research, evaluation,
outreach, organizing, and advocacy.
FoodCorps FoodCorps is a year-long service program designed to promote healthy school food by
educating children, building and maintaining school gardens, and bringing high-quality local food into
public school cafeterias.
Food Research and Action Center FRAC is a research and advocacy organization that focuses on
community, state, and national level solutions to eliminate hunger and under-nutrition across the U.S. The
organization regularly hosts interns and volunteers to develop skills in research, writing, and advocacy.
Hunger Volunteer A project of New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH), Hunger Volunteer
educates donors and the public about the impact of and solutions to hunger across the U.S. The program
connects volunteers with anti-hunger organizations nationwide.
Urban Nutrition Initiative Based in Philadelphia, the UNI program provides paid internships in food
education and urban agriculture to high school students during both the school year and the summer. UNI
interns play a significant role in improving community food systems through participation in multiple
regional and national networks and conferences.
International
FairTrade FairTrade certifies products sold in the U.S. as fair trade in order to promote sustainable,
ethical entrepreneurship across the globe. The organization regularly offers internship opportunities that
build participants skills in research and writing on international development.
HelpX HelpX includes listings for farms and ranches who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them
short-term in exchange for room and board.
Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellowship The Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows
Program is a two-year program that builds fellows skills to eradicate hunger and poverty worldwide.
Fellows spend the first year working directly to promote food security in the field, and the second year
applying their experiences to develop sound national and international development policies.
Oxfam America Oxfam aims to end poverty and hunger worldwide by focusing on long-term solutions to
injustice. There are several ways to get involved both in your local community and in the organizations
national offices in D.C. and Boston.
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) WWOOF offers workers the opportunity to
connect with sustainable farmers across the globe, exchanging labor for on-farm room and board.
Additional Resources, Job Sites, and Listservs
General
COMFOOD Jobs Allows individuals and organizations to post and search for jobs in the food and
agriculture sectors. Based out of the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
Farm and Food Jobs Connects job seekers and prospective employers in agriculture and food related
industries across all steps along the food chain.
Good Food Jobs Help job seekers looking for meaningful food work find opportunities with farmers,
restaurateurs, policy maker, economists, ecologists, and more.
GFJs gastrognomes blog profiles food professionals across multiple sectors to highlight how people
develop their careers in the food system.
Farming
Backdoor Jobs
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Want to Change the Food System? Here's Where to Start | Civil Eats

Beginning Farmer Training Programs


Farm-Based Education Network
The Land Connection
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
National Young Farmers Coalition
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York
Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
Women Food and Agriculture Network
Have another great resource to share? Let us know!

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