Startup Shell

 

Want to join a community of creators and entrepreneurs? Join Startup Shell! Our application is open till February 17th at https://startupshell.org/apply.

Startup Shell is UMD’s home for creators and entrepreneurs. We are a student-run startup incubator and coworking space at UMD that provides students with the space, resources, and network to build and scale their startups. For the last 10 years, we’ve brought together the university’s most innovative students to develop ventures that are collectively valued at over $1B. Our members have been a part of YCombinator, raised multimillion-dollar seed rounds, and successfully exited their companies. 

Startup Shell members get access to:

• A 24/7 co-working space in the IDEA Factory

• A network of 600+ entrepreneurs and industry professionals

• $100K worth of physical and digital resources (https://startupshell.org/resources)

• A tight-knit and supportive community of fellow creators across campus

• Mentorship and funding to take their startups to the next level

• Community events such as retreats and dinners

• A table at Shell Expo, our semesterly showcase where we bring in investors, University officials, and friends of Shell

• And much more...

We will also be hosting multiple events in the Shell space (4462 Stadium Drive (IDEA Factory) Room #1101) open to everyone! These events are a great opportunity to learn more about Shell and interact with creators and entrepreneurs on campus! Check out the full list at https://startupshell.org/events! 

If you have any questions about Shell, feel free to reach out via https://startupshell.org/contact. Join our Discord to stay updated: https://startupshell.org/discord!

MISA Scholarship 2023 Open Scholarship Application

 The Meat Industry Suppliers Alliance (MISA) of the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) will be awarding seven $10,000 scholarships this year to deserving students studying in the Food & Meat Sciences and Engineering at Universities across the country.  Last year they were awarded to students at University of Arkansas, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Texas Tech University and Colorado State University.  We received over 60 application. 

 

This is to encourage and support those interested in pursuing careers within the meat industry or engineering field.  Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of the following criteria: academic performance, commitment to a career in the meat industry or engineering field as well as potential for success.

 

The open application starts on Wednesday, February 15.  We hope you pass this onto your students, to apply please visit https://www.fpsa.org/misa/.   

 

The deadline for the scholarship submission is Thursday, June 1^st and applicants will be notified in July. 

 

If any of your students have any questions on the scholarship, please feel free to Ann Marie Penaranda at apenaranda@fpsa.org or 703/663-1213.

Farm Bureau Communications Assistant Full Time

DEPARTMENT: Communications

POSITION OBJECTIVE: Coordinate administrative operations for the VP of Communications and the Communications Department; assist with communications projects

REPORTS TO: Director of Communications

LOCATION: Washington, DC; eligible for telework flexibility 2 days/week

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct support and scheduling assistance to Vice President of Communications.
• Provide general support to Communications Directors and staff.
• Submit invoices and expenses; develop summary budget reports.
• Manage department’s internal mailing lists; state Farm Bureau Communications Directory.
• Assist with arrangements for Communications Department conferences, weekly team meetings, communications operations at annual convention and other meetings.
• Assist with drafting reports, memos and other documents.
• Assist with metrics reporting using media tracking service and other tools.
• Provide guidance and training on general departmental operating procedures to new staff.
• Provide relief and back-up assistance to the front desk.
• Perform other duties and coordinate special projects as assigned.
• Assist other departments with communications-related tasks and projects.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Provides general administrative and communications support to VP of Communications, Communications Directors and other Communications staff. Works with other AFBF team members, state Farm Bureau Communications Directors and their staff to update directories, manage requests and arrange meetings and conferences, as needed.

EDUCATION OR TRAINING REQUIRED:

• College degree or equivalent experience

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of Web-based subscription software
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent writing and communications skills

PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/TRAINING/SKILLS:

• Experience in the communications fields is a plus
• Knowledge of media measurement tools preferred

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Occasional travel
• Occasional work on weekends

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to humanresources@fb.org.

Social Media & Programs Assistant for Certified Naturally Grown

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) offers peer-review certification to farmers and beekeepers who produce food for their local communities without the use of synthetic chemicals or GMOs. More than 700 farmers and beekeepers throughout North America participate. Farmers appreciate Certified Naturally Grown as a way to verify their ecological farming practices and demonstrate their commitment to the highest ideals of the organic movement. CNG is a private non-profit organization that is not affiliated with the USDA Organic Program. Our approach goes beyond enforcing regulations by encouraging knowledge exchange and supporting farmers to adopt best practices with scale-appropriate methods.

CNG's participatory approach - a participatory guarantee system, or PGS - is recognized by IFOAM - Organics International as an important way to include small-scale producers in the organic movement and to help them succeed.

We strongly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within North American agriculture. Certified Naturally Grown is an equal opportunity employer and hires without regard to race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation or physical disability.JOB DESCRIPTION

The Social Media and Programs Assistant will help produce consistent, original content across multiple social media platforms and assist with administration of programs. Strong candidates will be prepared to use social media to increase awareness of our work, foster stronger connections within our community, and give national recognition to the farmers who participate. The ideal candidate will be detail oriented, have strong communication skills, a background in farming, and be able to review an organization’s online presence, and quickly understand the current gaps, opportunities, and ways forward to increase engagement, followers, and social value. 

CNG staff work remotely and collaborate regularly via video call and phone, therefore candidates must be self-motivated and comfortable working independently. This is currently a part-time position of 8-12 hours per week. Work hours are flexible. 

 

Position Responsibilities Include

• Maintain a social media calendar, and generate content that’s consistently engaging and reflects the spirit and values of the organization
• Stay up to date on best practices for social media platforms
• Facilitate collaboration with member farmers and organizational partners
• Pitch strategies to increase our social media presence and engagement
• Organizing Remote Observed Inspections (ROI) including scheduling, correspondence with prospective participants and registrants, tech checks, and other logistics
• Organizing Trainings for Senior Remote Inspectors (SRIs) including screening for qualified participants, correspondence with registrants, and other logistics
• Assist with organizing other educational and networking events
• Assistance with other initiatives as needed and desired

 

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Talent for visual storytelling and engagement on social media, including Instagram
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to connect and relate to people from a wide variety of backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, be self-directed and also be able to work effectively as part of a team
• At least one year’s experience working in a farming-related context 
• Ability to give consistent careful attention to details, to prioritize multiple expectations, and to be well-organized
• College degree or equivalent experience 
• Reliable access to an appropriate workspace with stable, strong internet and phone service

 

Desirable Skills and Qualifications 

• Proficiency with Adobe Suite, graphic design and illustration 
• Demonstrated interest in and familiarity with diversified organic farming practices
• Professional experience in marketing, communications and/or branding
• Multiple years of farming experience, including on a CNG farm
• Demonstrated success increasing engagement in a grassroots initiative
• Proficiency in video editing
• Creative thinker with a strategic mind and an inclination to suggest new and improved approaches to our work
• Prior experience in a grassroots organization serving farmers committed to ecological practices

COMPENSATION$20/hr +LOCATIONjob will be done remotelyAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONSOnline: https://bit.ly/3Hu0udQ

Submit your cover letter, resume, plus the names and affiliations of at least two references, all combined in a single PDF file, at the link above. Please ensure the file name begins with your last name. Applications will be received by Alice Varon, Executive Director. Kindly contact CNG via email, not phone, with any questions. Accepting applications until February 13, 10am Eastern. Interviews may begin sooner.DEADLINEFebruary 13, 2023

Landscaping and Nursury Production Career Fair

Meet with more than 30 landscaping companies, garden centers, and nurseries seeking new hires. Part-time and full-time positions are available. CCBC Dundalk Campus address is 7200 Sollers Point Road, Baltimore MD 21222.  Visitors should find parking spaces with white stripes in Lot 1, 2, 3 and 4 and them walk over to the College Community Center.

Terps for International Agriculture Science

 

Terps for International Agriculture Science (TIAS) is a group that aims to support international agriculture through research and development programs in collaboration with classrooms around the globe. Our mission is to collectively improve food security, reduce malnutrition, and increase knowledge between global entities. For more information, join the slack provided above. 

NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

 The NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program solicitation has been revised for the FY2023 competition. Prospective Principal Investigators are encouraged to read the solicitation carefully.

The solicitation has been updated to align with the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (Public Law. 117-167). Section 10393 of this Act authorizes the Director to make changes in the maximum scholarship amount and length of scholarship support for low-income students in STEM fields.

The Intel Corporation has been added as a collaborating partner in this program. For additional information, please refer to Dear Colleague Letter: Enhancing Engineering Technology and Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Technician Education (NSF 22-120).

Changes and important information affecting Track 1 proposals:

• The deadline for Track 1 proposals has been moved to March 29, 2023.
• The maximum award amount has been increased to up to $1,000,000 for up to 6 years.
• The eligibility requirement remains in place that Track 1 proposing institutions have not received an S-STEM or STEP award in the past.

Changes and important information affecting Track 2 proposals:

• The maximum award amount has been increased to up to $2,500,000 for up to 6 years.

Changes and important information affecting All proposals:

• Annual scholarship amount increase: The allowable maximum scholarship amount has been increased to up to $15,000 per year for undergraduate students (pursuing associate or bachelor's degrees in eligible disciplines) and up to $20,000 per year for graduate students (pursuing masters or Ph.Ds. degrees in eligible disciplines).
• Scholarship duration: The maximum duration of an individual student's scholarship has been increased to 5 years per degree being pursued.
• Scholarship calculation: The requirement that an S-STEM scholarship must meet the unmet need of the students, up to the maximum allowable amount, ($15,000 for undergraduate students and $20,000 for graduate students) remains in place. Proposers should utilize the formula explained in section V.A.5.b to determine the scholarship amount. S-STEM remains a last-dollar scholarship.
• Involvement of Financial Aid Offices: The requirement remains that the proposing institution's Office of Financial Aid must be involved in determining the institution's definition of low-income, the scholar's low-income eligibility, and the scholarship amounts.
• Viability of the program: The requirement remains in place that proposers should demonstrate that their institution has historically enrolled comparable numbers of eligible low-income students in the disciplines/degrees proposed at the time of proposal submission.

For more information, follow the link here.

Money Management with Horizon Farm Credit

 

Career Chat: National Weather Service

 

Pathways to Education Virtual Panel