Into the Fields
Where can I read more to learn about the experience of ITF interns?
Check out the SAF Field Notes blog to read more about ITF intern experiences.
Watch the Day in the Life video to get a glimpse of a day as a ITF Community Organizing intern.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
How many ITF applicants are accepted every year?
Each summer, Student Action with Farmworkers places approximately 25 college students nationwide with organizations in the Carolinas that serve, organize, or advocate for farmworker justice. SAF interns come from diverse backgrounds and about half of the students selected are from farmworker families.
Can I really write my essay in English and Spanish?
Yes! You can write your essay in Spanish, English or a combination. With your essay, we want to get a sense of who you are, your experience, and your motivations for wanting to participate in the internship. If a mix of Spanish and English is the best way to represent who you are, please feel free to showcase it! We do not preference one language over another.
When will applicants be notified of selection and placement?
Applicants will be notified if they have been accepted, waitlisted, or declined a position by March 8. Accepted applicants will have until March 12 to accept their placement offer or their spot on the waitlist.
How is the stipend paid to interns?
Interns will receive from SAF a Program Expense Stipend of $4250 through direct deposit. SAF is responsible for paying each intern. Interns receive their stipend in three installments, one at the orientation, one at mid-retreat, and one at final retreat.
How does the fundraising work?
SAF requests that each intern raise at least $800 to help support the costs of the summer internship. Students will participate in a fundraising training session that introduces SAF’s grassroots fundraising model. Students will receive a personalized fundraising page and ongoing support from staff throughout the process.
Where do interns work?
Most interns live and work in rural agricultural areas in the Carolinas – we place you with an organization based on your skills and interests. All placements consist of at least 50% office work as well as some outreach to farmworkers, or meat processing workers and their families. Common placement types include:
- Legal assistance. Provide free legal assistance such as know your rights training, educational materials, translation services, legal administrative support, and research. Outreach varies but can be one to three times per week.
- Health Agency. Provide health education (e.g. pesticides, nutrition), interpretation, case management and coordinate transportation to clinics. Outreach varies but can be two to five times per week.
- Migrant Education. Advocate for improved educational opportunities for Latine, migrant and immigrant youth. Interns may teach ESL classes, mentor students and educate parents about graduation requirements through migrant education programs. Outreach varies but can be one to three times per week.
- Community Organizing. Support projects that benefit the community or create awareness. Interns have organized know your rights trainings, assisted with community gardens, produced short documentaries about working with pesticides and developed a bike program for farmworkers. Outreach is less frequent but can be one to two times per week.
- Union/Labor Organizing. Support field and meat processing workers as they organize their workplace for better working conditions and pay. Interns may support meat processing workers to join or form a union, file grievances against their employer, organize events, create awareness in the community about consumer boycotts and farmworker-led campaigns. Outreach is less frequent but can be one to two times per week.
- Lobbying/Advocacy. Engage in the legislative process and work with state-wide coalitions on key issues such as tuition equity. There are approximately two positions available. Outreach is limited. (Preference for students from NC).
Where do interns live?
In most cases, SAF arranges and coves the cost of summer housing for interns. Housing situations will vary based on area availability. Housing placements may be arranged with a local family, with other interns, or with roommates not participating in SAF's internship. Interns are responsible for paying all utility costs not included in the monthly rent. Interns may use their SAF stipend to help cover other basic living expenses.
What are the documentary and theater projects?
In addition to working full-time at a farmworker organization, SAF interns participate in one of the following projects:
Documentary. Interns build a deeper relationship with a group of farmworkers by collaborating on participatory documentary projects that share worker's experiences through photography, writing, and art. Students and workers will reflect on the documentary work together in discussions using popular education. Check out the documentary projects from past years.
Theater. Students memorize, rehearse, and perform a skit based on a topic relevant to farmworkers. The performance aims to initiate dialogue among farmworkers and to mobilize them to identify and explore solutions to the issues affecting them. Performances take place in labor camps in the Piedmont and eastern NC. Read more about our theater work here.
Do I need to have legal work authorization to apply?
No. Undocumented students and students with DACA are eligible for this internship. You do not need a social security number to apply, but you will need a tax ID if you cannot provide a social security number.