Spring 2026 OCN Host Application

Spring 2026 OCN Host Application Form

The Organic Career Network (OCN) supports paid internships within organizations and agencies working in organic agriculture. The program is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in areas such as organic certification, inspection, and farmer education. Intern funding is made possible through the Transitioning to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) and must align with its objectives. To be eligible to host an intern, the majority of the intern’s assigned projects and activities must directly support organic-curious, transitioning, or certified organic farmers and/or professionals.
Program Support

The project will cover the cost of 150 working hours at a rate of $15/hour for undergraduate students ($2,250) and $18/hour for graduate students ($2,700). This is the minimum wage hosts must offer to be a part of the OCN. Additional hours will be covered by the Internship Host. For nonprofit organizations, we offer a flat-rate host support stipend of $800 to help offset staff time and onboarding costs.
Host Application & Timeline
Host Applications Open- Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Host Application Priority Deadline – Friday, November 7, 2025

Host Applications Final Deadline- Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Hosts Notified – Monday, November 24, 2025

Job Descriptions Finalized – Friday, December 5, 2025

Intern Applications Open – Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Intern Applications Close – Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Cohort Starts – Week of March 2, 2026
Host Organization Information
Organization Name*
What type of organization are you?*

Non-profit organizationFor-profit businessGovernment agencyEducational institutionOther
As a nonprofit organization, are you interested in receiving the $800 host support stipend to help offset staff time and onboarding costs?*

YesNo
Are you a TOPP Partner?*

YesNo
What TOPP region or regions are you partnered with? (Please select all that apply).

MidwestNortheast/Mid-AtlanticNorthwestPlainsSoutheastWest/SouthwestNational- OFANational- OTA
Intern Supervisor Name*
example@example.com
Intern Supervisor Name*

First NameLast Name
Intern Supervisor Email*
example@example.com
Have you hosted an intern through OCN before? If so, please select which cohort(s).*

No, we have not hosted an OCN intern beforeYes, Fall 2023Yes, Spring 2024Yes, Summer 2024Yes, Fall 2024Yes, Spring 2025Yes, Fall 2025
What professional development opportunities will be available to your intern (e.g., shadowing, training, attending meetings)?*
How does your organization support people coming into organic agriculture from different educational, cultural, or professional backgrounds?*
Internship Description & Information

Please use this job description template.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BSbVibkwcNat3jqsBMqmmaoT50MOgrSS/edit
Upload Job Description as a Google Doc. Please provide editing access in case there are requested revisions. *
Internship format*

Remote OnlyIn-Person OnlyHybrid OptionalHybrid Required
To be eligible for funding, all internships must align with the goals of the TOPP initiative. Please select the priority areas that this internship opportunity will support:*

Mentoring services for transitioning and existing organic farmersTechnical assistance in organic agricultureCommunity building among organic farmers and industry professionalsWorkforce development in the organic sectorHosting or supporting farm field days, workshops, webinars, or networking eventsProviding resources on organic certificationPromoting participation in the TOPP program
This position is open to*

Undergraduate StudentGraduate StudentNo preference
What skills or knowledge will the intern gain from this experience? How will these skills be relevant to careers in organic agriculture?*
Upload Job Description as a Google Doc. Please provide editing access in case there are requested revisions.*

Cancelof
Are you looking to hire an intern in specific state(s)?*

YesNo
If so, please indicate which states.
Does your organization have existing relationships with colleges and universities? If so, please list them.*
Should be Empty:

Spring 2026 OCN Host Application Form

Program Support

Host Application & Timeline

Host Organization Information

Internship Description & Information