USDA Internship Program

Internship Title: USDA Volunteer Internship Program

‍Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture

‍Location: Washington, DC

‍Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old at the time of application

Schedule: Most USDA internships follow a Monday - Friday schedule, between 9 AM and 6 PM.

Overview

The USDA Internship Program gives students a paid, hands-on way to support the department's mission of putting farmers first and strengthening America's food systems, rural communities, and natural resources. Beyond skill-building, it's a leadership development experience: mentors guide interns through real projects—research, data analysis, communications, outreach, and stakeholder work—while exposing them to how federal service actually operates.

Responsibilities shift depending on the office and mission area, but every intern joins shared programming like lunch-and-learns with USDA leaders.

The goal is two-fold: help interns grow professionally and personally, while preparing them for future careers across agriculture, science, policy, and public service.