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Agriculture and Forestry Extension

Overview

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Volunteers work on a variety of production and conservation projects.

Depending on your specific assignment, you might:

  • Establish and maintain soil and water conservation structures and practices
  • Raise trees in small nurseries, work in fruit tree production, live fences, and other agriculture-related forestry practices
  • Collaborate with individual farmers and associations to improve agriculture and agribusiness practices
  • Train communities in nutritional education through vegetable gardening and permaculture in rural or urban areas
  • Help with income generation activities such as aquaculture, value-added product development, apiculture, and small animal husbandry

How do I qualify?

Education

Applicants can qualify with a bachelor's degree in any discipline with an expressed interest in agriculture;
OR one year of full-time experience described in the next column.

Experience

Applicants with a degree must have three months full time experience with large-scale commercial or family-run business involving vegetable gardening, farming, nursery work, tree planting or care, urban forestry, livestock (dairy or beef cattle, pigs, sheep, or chickens) care or management, or fish (freshwater or marine) cultivation or production. Other relevant experience that is helpful includes an interest and background in environmental issues and formal or informal teaching or tutoring of adults and/or youth, or interest or experience in income generating agriculture activities.

Applicants without a degree must have one year full-time hands-on experience such as vegetable gardening, nursery work, tree planting, or urban forestry. Competitive applicants will have 3–5 years of such experience.

How will this advance my career?

Through serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer, you can gain fluency in a foreign language, international experience, and cross-cultural understanding, attributes that are highly sought-after assets in today’s global economy. Peace Corps agricultural experience is valued by numerous organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, USDA Extension Service, the U.S. Food and Nutrition Service, United Nations Environment Program, and many private corporations and public organizations seeking individuals with unique skills. Find out how returned Peace Corps Volunteers receive advantages in federal employment.

Also See: Volunteer Benefits

Last updated Aug 10 2012