{"id":13104,"date":"2022-08-25T13:56:05","date_gmt":"2022-08-25T17:56:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext-draft\/?page_id=13104"},"modified":"2026-08-17T12:26:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T16:26:39","slug":"for-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/programs\/food-systems\/afsfp\/for-students\/","title":{"rendered":"For Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading fullwidth\">Agriculture and Food Systems Fellows Program<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-hero-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-hero   cl-has-accessibility-controls\"><div class=\"cl-hero-proper\"><div class=\"overlay\"><\/div><div id=\"DJ-7SIbsmhw\" data-video=\"DJ-7SIbsmhw\" data-platform=\"youtube\" class=\"poster\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/DJ-7SIbsmhw\/maxresdefault.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-controls-container\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-controls\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-icon\" title=\"Accessibility controls\">Accessibility controls<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control cl-accessibility-motion-control\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-default\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Pause motion\">Pause motion<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Motion: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">On<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-alternate\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Play motion\">Play motion<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Motion: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">Off<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control cl-accessibility-contrast-control cl-accessibility-control-hidden\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-default\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Increase text contrast\">Increase text contrast<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Contrast: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">Standard<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-alternate\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Reset text contrast\">Reset text contrast<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Contrast: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">High<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-system-setting\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-toggle\" title=\"Apply my preferences site-wide\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-toggle-label\">Apply site-wide<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-menu-wrapper\"><nav id=\"\" class=\"cl-menu  \" data-name=\"AFSFP_Submenu\" data-show-title=\"0\"><ul id=\"menu-afsfp_submenu\" class=\"cl-menu-list cl-menu-list-no-js\"><li id=\"menu-item-13103\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-13103\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/programs\/food-systems\/afsfp\/\">About<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-13106\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-13106\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/programs\/food-systems\/afsfp\/for-students\/\">Apply to be an AFS Fellow!<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-13109\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-13109\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/programs\/food-systems\/afsfp\/afsfp-become-a-mentor\/\">Become a Mentor<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-17195\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17195\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/programs\/food-systems\/afsfp\/afsfp-meet-the-fellows\/\">Meet the Fellows<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-13178\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-13178\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/programs\/food-systems\/afsfp\/afsfp-meet-the-team\/\">Meet the Team<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-promo-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-promo  \"><div class=\"cl-promo-backdrop-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-promo-backdrop style-blur\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/IMG_3938.jpg)\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-promo-content\"><div class=\"cl-promo-text\"><h1>Apply by October 16, 2027!<\/h1><p>Earn course credit and get paid to work with professionals to strengthen the local food system. Open to URI undergraduate students of all majors for the program starting in January 2027. <\/p><p><a class=\"cl-promo-text-link\" href=\"https:\/\/uri.joinhandshake.com\/public\/jobs\/11294023\">Apply in Handshake Today (job listing: 11294023)<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"cl-promo-img-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-promo-img\"><a class=\"cl-promo-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/uri.joinhandshake.com\/public\/jobs\/11294023\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/IMG_3938.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the RI Agriculture and Food System Fellows Program?<br><\/strong>A paid work experience for students interested in food system-related careers. Selected students work on real-world agricultural and food system-related projects alongside industry professionals who serve as mentors.&nbsp; Students work with their mentor for a minimum of 500 paid hours. Fellows also receive in-depth professional development training, connections to industry-wide networking opportunities, food system-related industry training, and Extension engagement experience through a 4-H Youth Development Program-led practicum working with school-age youth. Want to be notified of important announcements? <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/tnyMacCa3i7cwsdKA\">Join our mailing list (for URI students only)!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Who should apply?<br><\/strong>Motivated students on track to graduate in December 2027 or May 2027 at URI:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With an interest in local food production, processing and distribution, nutrition and public health, food justice and equity, food policy, business and entrepreneurship and\/or sustainability within the food system;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Willing to commit to meeting program requirements;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enrolled in any academic major through December of the program year.&nbsp;<em>Note: Seniors interested in participating must defer graduation to December of the program year.&nbsp;<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is a year in the life of an AFS Fellow like?<br><\/strong>The program begins in January and ends in December. In the spring semester, fellows enroll in a 3-credit professional development course and meet their mentors.&nbsp; In the summer, fellows work full-time, in-person, with their mentor and participate in weekly, in-person industry trainings.&nbsp; In fall semester, fellows continue working with their mentor for 5-10 hours\/week and participate in a youth education practicum.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Where do students work when they become AFS Fellows?<br><\/strong>Students are placed with food industry mentors based on their skills and interests.&nbsp; Mentor organizations include agencies, businesses and institutions working in community food system policy, innovative practices for food production and nutrition and food safety. Thanks to past mentors which included;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"948\" height=\"402\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/afs-mentors.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/afs-mentors.jpg 948w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/afs-mentors-300x127.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/afs-mentors-768x326.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/afs-mentors-364x154.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/afs-mentors-500x212.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 948px) 100vw, 948px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"uri-people-tool cl-tiles halves\"><div class=\"peopleitem h-card has-thumbnail\">\n\t<header>\n\t\t<div class=\"header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/meet\/sejal-lanterman\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"364\" height=\"486\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Sejal-Lanterman-on-farm-364x486.jpg\" class=\"u-photo third_column wp-post-image\" alt=\"Sejal Lanterman on farm\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Sejal-Lanterman-on-farm-364x486.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Sejal-Lanterman-on-farm-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Sejal-Lanterman-on-farm-500x667.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Sejal-Lanterman-on-farm.jpg 578w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/meet\/sejal-lanterman\/\">Sejal Lanterman<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\t<div class=\"inside\">\n\n\t\t<p class=\"people-title p-job-title\">Extension Educator\/Coordinator<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"people-department\">Cooperative Extension<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"people-misc\"><span class=\"p-tel\">401.874.4453<\/span> <br> <a class=\"u-email\" href=\"mailto:sejal@uri.edu\">sejal@uri.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"peopleitem h-card has-thumbnail\">\n\t<header>\n\t\t<div class=\"header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/nrs\/meet\/tolani-olagundoye\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"364\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Tolani-Olagundoye-1-364x416.jpg\" class=\"u-photo third_column wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Tolani-Olagundoye-1-364x416.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Tolani-Olagundoye-1-263x300.jpg 263w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Tolani-Olagundoye-1-896x1024.jpg 896w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Tolani-Olagundoye-1-768x878.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Tolani-Olagundoye-1-1344x1536.jpg 1344w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Tolani-Olagundoye-1-500x571.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Tolani-Olagundoye-1-1000x1143.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Tolani-Olagundoye-1-1280x1463.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/Tolani-Olagundoye-1.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/nrs\/meet\/tolani-olagundoye\/\">Dr. Tolani Olagundoye<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\t<div class=\"inside\">\n\n\t\t<p class=\"people-title p-job-title\">Clinical Assistant Professor, <br \/>4H Youth Development<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"people-department\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/nrs\">Natural Resources Science<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"people-misc\"><span class=\"p-tel\">401.874.4505<\/span> <br> <a class=\"u-email\" href=\"mailto:tolagundoye@uri.edu\">tolagundoye@uri.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"peopleitem h-card has-thumbnail\">\n\t<header>\n\t\t<div class=\"header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/meet\/kate-venturini\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"364\" height=\"364\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-364x364.jpg\" class=\"u-photo third_column wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-364x364.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-1280x1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2042\/KateHardesty_headshot-scaled-e1744115436100.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/meet\/kate-venturini\/\">Kate Venturini Hardesty<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\t<div class=\"inside\">\n\n\t\t<p class=\"people-title p-job-title\">Program Administrator, Extension Educator<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"people-department\">Cooperative Extension<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"people-misc\"><span class=\"p-tel\">401.874.4096<\/span> <br> <a class=\"u-email\" href=\"mailto:keventurini@uri.edu\">keventurini@uri.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Agriculture and Food Systems Fellows Program What is the RI Agriculture and Food System Fellows Program?A paid work experience for students interested in food system-related careers. Selected students work on real-world agricultural and food system-related projects alongside industry professionals who serve as mentors.&nbsp; Students work with their mentor for a minimum of 500 paid hours. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":13100,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-13104","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13104"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13104\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20065,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13104\/revisions\/20065"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/coopext\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}