Rosenbhom Scholarship

Supported by the Irish Tillage and Land Use Society and Ulster Arable Society in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Journal

Introduction to the Rosenbohm scholarship

Kevin Rosenbohm

This farm internship aims to provide international farming experience to a person involved in agriculture in Ireland. The award will provide up to one season of work experience and accommodation on a large US farm located in northwest Missouri. The winner will be hosted by the Rosenbohm family who will provide the recipient with practical experience in the production, husbandry and marketing of corn and soyabeans, as well as in the processing of soyabean seed.

Who can apply?

In order to apply applicants must:

Be at least 20 years of age on 1 January 2025 to apply for this internship.
Be resident on the island of Ireland.
Be a member of the Irish Tillage and Land Use Society (ITLUS) or the Ulster Arable Society (UAS).
Be available to travel to and stay on the farm in Missouri between the period from 1 September 2025 to 1 December 2025.
Be able to successfully obtain a visa to work in the US.
Hold a current full, clean, driving licence.
Have a knowledge of working modern farm machinery.
Have, or be in the process of acquiring, a qualification in agriculture.
Have agricultural work references.
Have a social disposition with a willingness to interact with people.

The winner will be expected to participate in some podcasts and contribute to short articles for the Irish Farmers Journal in order to share their experience and to present at future ITLUS and/or UAS events.

What experience will the winner get

Soyabean planter working

This is a large maize and soyabean farming business and the intention is for the recipient to experience up to a full season of crop production — establishment, growth, harvesting and marketing. This farm is also a big soyabean seed assembler, both GM and non-GM. The winner will gain experience in the growing, harvesting, storage and processing of these crops. They will also receive experience in the areas of leadership, public policy, management, economics, commodity organizations, community involvement, and potentially other areas of interest to the applicant while in Missouri.

The Rosenbhoms will provide a house for the winner to live in for the duration of the internship. In addition, the winner will have the use of a truck while working, and a stipend for some expenses incurred. Meals will be provided when working. ITLUS/UAS and the Irish Farmers Journal will provide a monetary award that the winner can put towards the cost of their flights and additional out of pocket expenses that they may incur.

The recipient will be expected to gain knowledge of crop management. The host will make every effort to ensure that the intern receives a very diverse work experience and has an enjoyable stay in the US. The award winner is expected to work along with management, family and other employees at different times and so must be prepared to work long hours during busy periods.

Requirements

Application and selection process

Applications

The 2025 application form can be downloaded via the link at the bottom of the page.

The form must be completed and returned to the ITLUS secretary by 31 January 2025.

An initial screening of applications will take place by a selected committee based on the qualifying criteria. This committee may select a shortlist of the qualifying candidates to be called for interview. Those interviews will be held during late February/early March 2025.

The interview process will question the capabilities of the applicants and their suitability as an ambassador for ITLUS/UAS, Irish farming and Ireland. It will also focus on the competency of the applicant with regard to the processes involved in crop husbandry, crop management, communication skills, self-sufficiency etc. The interview will also seek to assess the ability of the applicant to fit into the work programme and ethos of the host family.

Where the suitability of a potential winner is uncertain, it will be necessary to consult with the host farmer with regard to a potential winner. The committee may also consult with reference providers.

Selection committee

The selection committee will be drawn from all or a number of the following:

ITLUS President and UAS Representative
Irish Farmers Journal representative
ITLUS Council member
Industry representative
ITLUS member/previous recipient

Terms and Conditions

In addition to the conditions for application set out in the “who can apply” section above applicants should note the following:

The farm internship award is not transferable to a third party.
The winner will be notified as soon as possible after interviews take place. If there is no response from the winner within one week of contact being made, the winner will forfeit his/her rights to the next in line of the chosen finalists (and so on until a winner has been contacted).
By submitting an application, the applicant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by parameters set out in the “who can apply” section above, and the terms and conditions of the farm internship programme.
The winner will be expected to act to the highest standards when on placement and not act in any way as to bring the reputation of ITLUS, the UAS or the Irish Farmers Journal into disrepute.
Completed entry forms must be posted to: ITLUS Secretary, C/O Sinéad Ryan, Ballycarroll House, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, R32T884 or emailed to itlussec50@gmail.com.
The closing date for receipt of entries to the competition is 5.30pm on Friday, 31 January 2025.
The decision of the selection committee will be final.
ITLUS, the UAS and the Irish Farmers Journal reserve the right to cancel or amend the farm internship without notice, and for any reason whatsoever. The winner must be in a position to confirm their identity and eligibility. Failure to do so will disqualify them from the farm internship.

Rosenbohm - Grain cart and yellow truck