Specialty Crops Research Assistant — Research Assistant I in Hart, Michigan

Working/Functional Title

Specialty Crops Research Assistant

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization, which requires all staff to contribute towards a vision for success. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our work, regardless of title or position within the organization. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

* We work together to ensure that programming is delivered to diverse audiences, produces equitable impacts for all participants, and demonstrates partnership and inclusion for all groups.*

• We embrace that it is everyone’s job to create a culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and inclusive culture.
• We foster inclusion by recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and work to create equal access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning for diversity, equity, and cultural competency, in order to achieve inclusive excellence.
• We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements to our work and are vital to the organizational culture and programmatic success of MSU Extension.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching and feedback towards achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.

• Together we will achieve success and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.

   

POSITION SUMMARY

Assists in overseeing and coordinating field operations, assists in planning and designing research, conducts experiments and field sampling, and analyzes resultant data as part of completing projects.

As part of Michigan State University Extension (MSUE),  the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute (AABI), and the West Central Tree Fruit and Vegetable Extension programs, this specialty crop focused research assistant position will collect, analyze, and communicate information about Michigan’s specialty crop systems related to asparagus, other vegetables, and tree fruit crops in West Michigan and will work cooperatively with public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals to inform and guide decisions that impact horticultural practices, water and nutrient management, and integrated pest management (IPM).

The mission of the West Central Tree Fruit and Vegetable Extension programs is to guide the commercial specialty crops growers and industry and community partners in West Central Michigan by providing the highest quality scientific expertise and information. Our vision is to be the authoritative source of information on horticultural practices, water and nutrient management, and IPM that is widely used to manage specialty crops for current and future generations. Weekly pest and disease monitoring and timely reporting of critical information for commercial tree fruit industry and research experiments are essential components of the West Central MSU Extension programs. In addition, relevant research and experiments to address ongoing and emerging challenges are critical to the success of the commercial tree fruit and vegetable industries.  This ongoing research is used by specialty crops growers, local and state agencies and private organizations to guide land management and production decisions.

As the MSU Extension Specialty Crops Research Assistant, you will assist with programming and research projects supporting the commercial vegetable and tree fruit industries. The position will be based in Hart, MI and will cover the West Central Michigan region. Projects mainly