Agriculture interns are getting the chance to become involved in the US agricultural sector.
Farmers will be able to become part of a “green innovation” program that uses technology to improve farming practices and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The program, known as COVID-19, will provide interns with financial support to pursue their passion.
“Our goal is to provide opportunities for young people to experience the world of agriculture, and we think this program will be a great way to do that,” said Josh Fattore, a farmer who is part of the program.
He said he was excited about the potential of the fellowship program because it would give young people the opportunity to gain experience and build a network.
“We’re hoping that the program will help them to get involved with other farmers, so that they can really get to know and learn from other farmers,” he said.US farmlands account for some of the world’s largest greenhouse gases.
Farm subsidies currently make up around one-fifth of the federal budget, but many are expected to rise.
“It’s important that we continue to encourage our farmers to be innovative, but we also need to do our part to protect our environment,” said Michael Lefebvre, a USDA field operations scientist who is a member of the project.
He added that some agricultural regions had already shown signs of COVID outbreaks.
“There are some regions that have been showing very positive results,” he told reporters.
The USDA and the Agriculture Department are also partnering with a nonprofit group called the Agricultural Research Service to work on research on the future of agriculture.
The program is part the National Agri-Food Security Initiative, which aims to promote the use of “smart agriculture” technology in agriculture, improve food security and reduce global hunger.