The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

 

Within CALS, the mission of the Section of Soil and Crop Sciences is to generate and communicate knowledge about agroecosystems and their sustainable management in the face of accelerating global change. We achieve this by educating students for stewardship of agro-ecosystems, conducting scientific research on sustainable land management, and using our extension and outreach programs for the benefit of our stakeholders.

 

Digital agronomy offers a possibility for farmers to accelerate their progress towards sustainable agriculture. The mission of the Transdisciplinary Innovation Lab on Digital Agronomy is to co-create solutions with farmers and their advisors that will enable a better collection, organization, curation, and usage of data on the farm. One aspect is to enhance On-Farm Experimentation with digital technologies and the other is to co-create solutions to help farmers and their advisors use data to their advantage.

 

Position Function
The Extension Associate will engage with farmers to coordinate on-farm experimentation activities which may include meeting with farmers to understand their needs, conducting in-field soil and crop sampling, gathering farm data (e.g., treatments, management, yield, etc.), processing data, and organizing workshops with farmers for OFE interpretations. The individual will also generate extension publications and maintain a website and social media to allow for two-way extension process. This position thus requires good communication skills, understanding of agronomy, being a good problem detector and solver, having good time management, and being comfortable with website and social media posting and maintenance. The position holder must be willing to develop new skills via self-education, online courses, and practice.

 

This is a full-time position and will be located in Ithaca, New York. This is a one-year appointment with possible long-term extension depending on funding and performance.