Ag Ventures Alliance Fall 2013 AgEI Semester, Inc. Internship Project Plan

Ag Ventures Alliance

Fall 2013

AgEI Semester, Inc.

Internship Project Plan

The AgEI Semester, Inc. Internship Program offers students the opportunity to work with an agriculture company on a tangible project in product, business or market development. Small teams of students will work for one semester on campus as interns on a project that is necessary to assist participating firms in their product, marketing, and business development goals.

Details:
• Compensation is $10/hour
• Must be able to work a minimum of 12 hours/week
• Program duration is 12 weeks, during the fall semester
• All interns will have office space in 109 Curtiss Hall

RESUMES DUE: Sept. 28^th to carlyc@iastate.edu

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW

Through this semester internship project, you will develop a feasibility plan, including an in-depth market analysis, for Ag Ventures Alliance’s treated corn stover animal feed project.  As the project stands currently, in field feed-ability research has been conducted with partner businesses, including Monsanto.  The concept of treated corn stover as a feed ration has been proven, allowing the project to move towards business development discussions.  The semester work will explore the following key areas:

1.      Market assessment of feed industry trends and desire/need for a new feed option.

2.      Identification of target market and market size & potential.

3.      Evaluation of business logistic (i.e.  stover collection and transportation & determination of best way for product to be delivered to end user).

4.      Preliminary financial evaluation of business venture.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR STUDENTS

• Provide an experience in business development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
• Provide experience in primary and secondary market research collection.
• Increase understanding of the livestock feed industry and strategic changes in key related markets.
• Provide an atmosphere of collective learning.

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS

• Ask questions. If you have a question, need extra resources, are struggling with a concept, etc. please speak up. You will be leading your portion for the project team, at times you will need assistance and should not be afraid to seek it out to keep moving forward.
• Remain open to challenges. There will be times when you will be given a task that is unfamiliar to you. We expect that you will ask questions and at minimum, try to complete the task. Remember - we're ok with failure as long as you try!
• Time Management: This internship will give you the opportunity to learn how to manage your time as you complete the assigned project.  You must show the initiative to start and conclude tasks with, at times, minimal guidance. 
• Communication: Communication between you and Heartland staff is essential to ensure the long-term success of the project. 

SEMESTER WORK PLAN

For the purpose of this project, the workload will be divided amongst two student interns.  One intern will focus on creating the market analysis, while collecting secondary and primary market research.  The second intern will focus on evaluating the logistics associated with the project. 

During the first week of the internship each students will be responsible for developing their own 12 week work plan, breaking down their work into a manageable plan.  Program plans will be reviewed and approved by the AgEI office and a representative from Ag Ventures Alliance.  All work will be conducted out of the AgEI office, on the Iowa State University campus.

SCIENCE WITH PRACTICE

Students participating in the Semester, Inc. internship will also be required to be part of the Science With Practice program.  Science With Practice is a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences experiential learning and work program for undergraduate students. Students work closely with faculty and staff on projects and assignments, earn money and earn academic credit.  Students will be required to register for AgEDs 312 and complete all work through the course as well as the internship requirements.