The Urban Food Innovations Team is dedicated to strengthening and reimagining the future of urban agriculture through research, outreach, and hands-on education. This position supports ongoing and emerging research projects that address challenges faced by urban growers from resource-use efficiency to soil health, protected cultivation, innovative waste recapture, and student-centered learning in agri-food systems.

The role contributes to experimental design, field and lab research, data analysis, and community-engaged extension activities that advance sustainable urban food production.

Key Responsibilities

Research & Experimentation

• Assist in designing, establishing, and maintaining research trials in urban and peri-urban environments.
• Collect field, greenhouse, and lab data related to: Vegetable crop management
  Irrigation and nutrient management
• Cover crops, compost use, and soil health
• Conduct data entry, statistical analysis, and interpretation to support publications, reports, and presentations.
• Collaborate with graduate students on project planning and execution.

Extension & Community Engagement

• Support Urban Farm Education Field Days, including preparing demonstrations, organizing materials, and engaging with attendees (growers, students, OSU staff, and community members).
• Participate in on-farm research trials across major Ohio cities (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati).
• Contribute to extension articles, grower-facing fact sheets, and on-farm research reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Training or experience in horticulture, crop science, environmental science, sustainable agriculture, or related fields.
• Ability to work in field, greenhouse, and controlled-environment settings.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to engage in hands-on, community-facing activities.

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