Every summer the Forage Breeding Project hires 6-8 college students to assist with establishing and maintaining research experiments and collecting samples and data on previously established trials.
The summer crew is divided into three different parts with very different responsibilities. Some days we will all work together but more often than not the different parts will go off in separate directions.
The mandatory requirements for all positions are:
- The ability to work full-time from mid-May to mid-August. If you are planning on taking a day class or an extended vacation, these jobs are not for you.
- The ability to self-motivate. We expect student employees to arrive at work on time, which is occasionally 6 A.M.
- The ability to work well with others. This is not limited to getting along with others. People are the most fulfilled with their jobs when they feel everyone is doing his or her share.
Transplanting Crew
The members of the transplanting crew assist researchers in developing new varieties of alfalfa, clover and grasses with increased resistance to insects and diseases. 
Duties consist of mainly field work, including transplanting by hand and with machinery, hoeing, weeding, taking samples, and setting up and checking electric fences. Greenhouse work includes harvesting and processing seed, staking and tying plants, potting up and moving plants, and pollinating flowers.
Harvesting Crew
The harvesting crew consists of 6 people harvesting forage yield trials in Ithaca and throughout New York State, as well as other field work. Student employees will learn scientific methods as applied to crop research in the field, and basic aspects of plant breeding.
Job requirements include the ability to lift and carry 20-30 lbs many times through out the day, attention to detail, the ability to enter data in EXCEL and to work overtime on occasion (i.e. leave at 6 am return at 9 PM) and stay overnight at work location (probably 2 to 3 times this summer).
Bioenergy feedstock Crew
The Bioenergy Feedstock crew employs one student. Teamed up with other researchers, this student will travel extensively around NYS collecting data and samples from many test locations. 
This student will learn to identify many perennial grass species as well as many weed species common to the Northeast, use GPS to document field sites, and prepare fact sheets and other handouts for field days and information booths. For all positions, a driver's license is preferred but for this position, a driver's license is required.
Things we do together
Over the course of the summer we will perform many tasks together (many hands make light work). These tasks include taking quality samples and separating and planting grass clones. We will all attend multiple field days, the Empire Farm days, and other learning opportunities.
On the lighter side, summer employees throughout Plant Breeding and Genetics team up with researchers to form an Intramural softball team for six weeks during the summer. Participation in not mandatory, but we always have a great time.
If one of these jobs sounds interesting to you, contact Ed Thomas at emt3@cornell.edu to schedule an interview. Please bring a completed copy of the following application to your interview.