MENTOR INFORMATION PACKET

RI Agriculture and Food System Fellows Program

Overview

PROGRAM PURPOSE

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The Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellows Program (AFSFP) was established in 2022 to engage and train students at URI and CCRI passionate about food-related careers as producers, processors, policymakers, educators, advocates and communicators.

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The AFSFP serves as a talent pipeline of entry- to mid-level professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the science of food, including how humans interact with it, where inequities with food access and security exist, and how they can contribute as professionals to build a healthier, more sustainable and just food system for all. Fellows are paid hourly by their internship host for their contribution to mentor-supervised projects in sustainable agricultural intensification, food and nutrition translation, and science communication and agricultural science policy leadership.

PROGRAM GOALS

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Create career pathways for students studying agriculture, animal science, nutrition and health sciences, food processing and distribution, food justice and equity, communications, education and/or business who are interested in applying their academic knowledge to a career supporting the food system;

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Build a talent pipeline for organizations (federal and state agencies, food makers, farms, etc.) seeking candidates to fill positions in the sector; and

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Foster the creation of high quality, well-paying agricultural jobs in RI.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

RI Agriculture and Food System Fellows Program

Roles and Responsibilities

MENTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

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• Outline an agriculture or food system-related project or activity with a scope of work that clearly identifies a measurable outcome for the Fellow to achieve within the fellowship year;
• Secure funding to: a) compensate the Fellow for a minimum of 500 hours during the fellowship year and b) pay a one-time program fee to support the Fellow’s professional development;
• Provide project management oversight and mentoring over the duration of the fellowship year;
• Allow scheduling flexibility to allow the Fellow to participate in URI-led training and events; and
• Maintain contact with the EMFP Coordinator regarding student performance.

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URI COOPERATIVE EXTENSION RESPONSIBILITIES

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• Provide program management services, student advisement and coaching, and mentor support;
• Liaison between CCRI faculty and staff, CCRI students, EMFP mentors and URI program staff;
• Manage targeted and competitive student recruitment, interview and hiring process;
• Instruct a professional development course that covers public speaking, interpersonal skill development, program design methodologies, professional networking and workplace ethics; and
• Manage the Summer Industry Training that incorporates site visits and lectures by topic experts.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL COST TO MENTOR ORGANIZATION

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STUDENT WAGES: Student participants in the Agriculture and Food Systems Fellows Program are paid hourly by their mentor organization at a pay rate set by the mentor organization. The table above outlines the estimated annual cost to a mentor organization based on suggested student pay rates established by the RI Department of Administration: uri.edu/financial-aid/student-employment/current-pay-rates/. NOTE: Mentor organizations may be eligible to receive partial reimbursement for wages paid to students (50-75% of the first 400 hours) by applying to the RI Work Immersion Program.

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STUDENT HOURS: Start dates and weekly work schedules are determined by the mentor organization and the student, considering the student’s course schedule and the organization’s policies. Mentor organizations should plan to provide a minimum of 500 internship hours during the fellowship period (February - December). Students are strongly encouraged to limit work hours to 10/week during the spring and fall semesters to allow ample time to focus on their academic program.

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PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION FEE: This provides direct support for the Agriculture and Food Systems Fellows Program Coordinator position, whose responsibility it is to manage the following elements of the program:

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1. Targeted student recruitment through URI Career Fairs, in-class presentations, and direct marketing to University colleges and academic departments during the spring and fall semesters;
2. Management of the student application portal in URI Handshake;
3. Initial screening of all completed applications received during the application period;
4. Initial in-person interviews with all qualified applicants to determine best matches among available internship placements and student skills and interests;
5. Direct student advisement and coaching throughout the fellowship year;
6. Direct mentor support throughout the fellowship year as needed;
7. Three-credit, asynchronous professional development course; and
8. Thirty-hour Summer Industry Training that incorporates site visits to critical infrastructure and lectures by topic experts to expose students to the depth and breadth of the industry.

RI Agriculture and Food System Fellows Program

Cost

CLICK HERE to express your interest in serving as a mentor in 2027!

📅 JULY 1 - SEPTEMBER 18, 2026

URI CoopExt conducts 2027 RI Agriculture and Food Systems Program mentor recruitment.

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📅 SEPTEMBER 18, 2026

Deadline for potential mentors to submit the 2027 RI Agriculture and Food System Fellows Program Mentor Expression of Interest Form. Note that students are recruited based on each mentor’s need; meeting this deadline allows for ample time to solicit applications from top students. If you are unable to meet this deadline, but are interested in participating as a mentor, please contact Sejal Lanterman as soon as possible at sejal@uri.edu or 401-874-4453.

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📅 OCTOBER 16, 2026

Deadline for URI and CCRI students to submit the 2027 RI Agriculture and Food System Fellows

Program Application.

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📅 OCTOBER 19 – NOVEMBER 13, 2026

Initial student interviews are scheduled and conducted by URI staff.

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📅 NOVEMBER 16 – DECEMBER 4, 2026

Second student interviews are conducted by 2027 mentors.

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📅 DECEMBER 15, 2026

Final presentations by 2026 Agriculture and Food Systems Fellows (mentor attendance

requested).

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📅 DECEMBER 18, 2026

Deadline to confirm 2027 RI Agriculture and Food System Fellows Program placement match-ups.

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📅 JANUARY 26, 2027

First day of classes and start of the 2027 RI Agriculture and Food System Fellows Program year!

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📅 JANUARY 26 – MAY 3, 2027 (Spring 2027 semester)

Fellows attend weekly professional development class led by URI Cooperative Extension staff and work ~10 hours per week at their placements.

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📅 MAY 24 – AUGUST 27, 2027 (Summer 2027 term)

Fellows attend weekly topical energy trainings and site visits led by URI Cooperative Extension staff and energy industry experts and work ~30 hours per week at their placements.

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📅 SEPTEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 13, 2027 (Fall 2027)

Fellows participate in monthly professional development trainings led by URI staff and work ~10 hours per week at their placements.

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📅 DECEMBER TBD, 2027

2027 Fellowship Symposia and Mentor Luncheon at URI’s Kingston campus.

URI Environmental Management Fellows Program

Timeline

RI Agriculture and Food System Fellow Program

Timeline

CLICK HERE to express your interest in serving as a mentor in 2027!