MCD Internship Proposal
April 1, 2007
MCD Intern Project Focus: MCD Food Production Model:
Organic Greenhouse Research and Development
Project Period: June 2007 through June 2008 (flexibility in scheduling options is possible, the critical period for observing greenhouse performance is October 2007 through May 2008.
Project Summary:
MCD Livestock Company, Ltd. began investing in Organic Greenhouse Research and Development in late 2006. Research is presently ongoing and may continue for several years. MCD seeks to supply well established networks of technical engineers and consultants in the US with high quality data by assigning a full time staff person to take responsibility for day to day operation of existing greenhouse units. Intern duties would primarily involve the observing and recording multiple details in English in specified log books or computer files, and regular communication of data and notations to US technicians via email. Additional manual labor in support of existing greenhouse management and staff would also be encouraged as time allows. The intern would exercise a degree of management over MCD staff who carry out daily greenhouse operations in order to assure that consultant recommendations are followed accurately. The intern would perform these duties independently under the supervision of MCD Operations Manager.
MCD Greenhouse Research and Development:
MCD is pursuing two primary objectives in greenhouse research and development:
- Development of greenhouse prototypes to the level of mature models which are suitable for sustaining crop harvests twelve months of the year which require as little investment as possible in supplemental heating apparatus and fuel. Current studies seek to analyze the performance of various thermal efficiency devices such as heating blankets, and thermal storage in water and earthen masses. Broad scale deployment of the final prototypes is expected to occur. Computer data loggers installed in several locations require monthly downloading of data and forwarding to consultants. Adjustments to crop production practices and data collection are to be carried out by the intern according to instructions received from the consultants.
Data Sets :
US Consultant will itemize specific data sets to be collected, adding or eliminating items as the project matures. The following list itemizes a number of significant existing data sets the project requires:
Supplemental Heating:
Coal consumption log, daily record of amount used by kg.
Annual coal use total in kg with graph showing usage
Coal expense annual total in RMB
Coal stove labor requirements, daily record of amount of time required to fire stove in man/hrs/day
Crop Production:
Record of sowing dates, potting dates, transplanting
Record of harvesting dates w/ amounts in kg
Fertilization usage
Water usage
Watering schedule
Economic value of crops
Disease managment
Irrigation proceedures
Pest managment
Daily Labor Requirements in man/hrs/day
Exterior Climate/Weather management:
Daily weather record via Microstation
Daily thermal blanket status, open/closed
Snowfall records, shoveling labor requirements in hrs/day
Plastic cleaning procedures(exterior dust accumulation)
Interior Climate management:
Shading
Ventilation
Air circulation/convection
Temperature records
Placement of thermistors(Hobo's)
Heating mats for seedlings
- Development of organic crop production techniques for deployment as part of the MCD sustainable food production model. Due to the inexperience of local staff in organic methods these trials will receive significant input from other technicians abroad. Support is provided by contacts in the US and South Korea.
Internship Details:
Language:
The intern will need to be motivated and have a strong interest in learning Chinese or Korean so as to be able to engage in basic communication with MCD staff members. MCD strongly recommends Rosetta Stone’s “dynamic immersion” language learning software. Pre trip study will provide a strong head start to couple with immersion in the local language upon arrival.
Living Arrangements:
Interns are welcome to reside with MCD host family who are US citizens. Room and board is provided in return for daily labor. If deeper cultural immersion is desired, interns are welcome to reside with other MCD staff members who reside at the farm.
Education Program:
MCD prefers a strong intern led decision making process throughout the internship, preferring to facilitate a unique experience for each individual intern. Interns should expect to develop their work/study schedule shortly after arriving. A 30 hour work week coupled with a 30 hour study week seems to be appropriate for most interns.
Agricultural Training:
No agriculture experience is required, although it of course is preferred. Interns with a teachable spirit will be able to quickly adapt to a new learning environment.
Scholarships:
MCD interns who perform in an exemplary, productive manner may qualify for an MCD Scholarship. This performance is evaluated by MCD Operations Manager.
Computer:
This specific internship will be greatly facilitated by the possession and use of a laptop computer by the intern to conduct email discussions with MCD consultants living abroad. While other arrangements could be made it is considered a hindrance to efficient learning to be without a personal computer.