Deadline: Preferred: Feb 15; applications evaluated on rolling basis until position filled

Start date: Fall 2017

Advisors:

Agritourism and Policy position: Dr. Whitney Knollenberg: whitney_knollenberg@ncsu.edu

Agritourism and K-12 Education position: Dr. Kathryn Stevenson: kathryn_stevenson@ncsu.edu

Both positions will be co-advised by Dr. Carla Barbieri: carla_barbieri@ncsu.edu

To Apply: https://www.ncsu.edu/grad/applygrad.htm

We are currently recruiting two PhD students to join a dynamic team working on a USDA AFRI NIFAfunded project to strengthen local food systems through agritourism. Specifically, we will investigate how agritourism – visiting farms for recreation and/or education – may build agricultural literacy among children, and how that knowledge may “trickle up” to parents to encourage purchasing local foods. We will measure the impact of spontaneous farm visits by families (unstructured agritourism) as well as school field trips, both as stand-alone experiences (semi-structured agritourism) and supported by curricular activities (structured agritourism). This project brings together agritourism, K-12 education, and policy through research, education, and extension approaches.

Although the two PhD students will work closely together with the three project PIs, we anticipate two positions associated with two project areas: Agritourism and Policy Position

Dr. Knollenberg will direct project activities related to the connections between agritourism, education, and food policy. The successful student will coordinate project activities related to unstructured agritourism experiences and policy recommendations. Major deliverables include: identification of agritourism research sites; coordination with agritourism operators; development of a survey instrument to measure impacts of unstructured agritourism experiences; data collection and analysis; preparation of reports, manuscripts, and associated outreach materials; as well as compilation of policy recommendations based upon project findings.

Agritourism and K-12 Education Position

Dr. Stevenson will direct project activities related to educational impacts of agritourism, particularly in K-12 settings. The successful candidate will lead all project activities related to the evaluation of project activities through schools (semi-structured and structured agritourism). Major deliverables will include coordination of teacher professional development workshops; school field trips to agritourism operations; pre- and post-survey administration of students, teachers, and parents; data analysis; preparation of reports, manuscripts, and associated outreach materials.

Stipend

$18,000 annually, graduate school fees (~$1,200/semester), health insurance; Assumes 20 hours  dedicated to the project and 20 hours dedicated to coursework.