Into the Fields Intern

SAF develops the leadership of college students from diverse backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to work directly with farmworkers in the Carolinas. Each year, SAF trains approximately 25 students on issues that farmworkers face, and places them to work full-time with migrant education programs, legal aid offices, rural health clinics, community-based organizations, and farmworker unions. Through their work, students will gain professional skills and connections in their areas of interest.

Most interns live & work in rural agricultural areas in the Carolinas – we place you with an organization based on your skills & interests. All placements consist of around 50% office work as well as some outreach to farmworkers, their children, or meat processing workers. Common placement types include: 

• Legal assistance positions provide free legal assistance such as "know your rights" trainings, educational materials, translation, assisting lawyers with paperwork & research. Outreach varies but can be 1-3 times/week.
• Health agency positions provide health education (ex. pesticides, nutrition), interpretation, case management & coordinate transportation to clinics. Outreach varies but can be 2-5 times/week.
• Migrant education positions advocate for improved educational opportunities for Latinx, migrant & immigrant youth. Interns may teach ESL classes, mentor students & educate parents about graduation requirements through migrant education programs. Outreach varies but can be 1-3 times/week.
• Community organizing positions support projects that benefit the community or create awareness. Interns have organized “know your rights” trainings, assisted with community gardens, produced short documentaries about working with pesticides & developed a bike program for farmworkers. Outreach is less frequent but can be 1-2 times/week.
• Union/Labor organizing positions support field & meat processing workers as they organize their workplace for better working conditions and pay. Interns may support meat processing workers to join or form a union, file grievances against their employer, organize events, create awareness in the community about consumer boycotts and farmworker-led campaigns. Outreach is less frequent but can be 1-2 times/week.
• Lobbying/Advocacy positions engage in the legislative process and work with state-wide coalitions on key issues such as tuition equity. There are approximately 2 positions available. Outreach is limited. (Preference given to Latinxs from NC).

To qualify you must be a current college student (including community college), recent graduate (within 2 years), or planning to return to school / taking a gap year. To be preferenced you must be able to say yes to one of the following: 

• I speak high-intermediate or advanced Spanish (preference, but may have availability for a few non-Spanish speaking placements)
• I am a college student from a farmworker family (SAF preferences CAMP program participants)
• I am a student currently attending college in the Southeastern U.S.
• I am a college student from the Southeast (the Southeast is your home; you grew up there; your parents still live there, etc.)
• SAF strongly preferences all non-farmworker students to have reliable cars they can use for the summer. Students without cars are paired with students who do have a car, and they share transportation during the summer. In addition to needing a car for their work obligations, interns need it to drive to/from work, grocery store, attend the 3 SAF trainings, and to conduct their documentary or theater projects.

Expectations: 

• Fundraise $750 to contribute to SAF's work; accepted candidates will receive training and be supported to raise funds
• Complete 35-40 hours of work per week
• Participate in the entire program from May 25 - Aug 1
• Write 3 guided writings/blogs
• Complete a documentary or theater project (no prior experience necessary)
• Be willing to drive/ travel long distances to trainings and to outreach to farmworkers (1-4 hrs/day, 2-5 days/week)

Benefits: 

• $4250 stipend
• Rent-free housing
• Room and board at 3 trainings
• Mentorship
• Out-of-state students from farmworker families receive support securing paid travel to North Carolina
• End-of-program scholarship for students from farmworker families