Biofarm Internships

The Piedmont Biofuels Cooperative is now offering the only biodiesel internship program of its kind in the world on their organic biofarm. They are accepting applications for their first internships at their pilot biodiesel plant, one to be held this year from June through August and another from September through December.

"Prospective candidates for the internships should want to leave a legacy," according to Matt Rudolf, the Cooperative's Executive Director. Past projects have included fuel making, a blog aggregator, a constructed wetland, a presence at the farmer’s market, and a wood management center. The interns selected will receive a small stipend and free housing at the co-op's site in Pittsboro, NC. There are many other benefits, including class credits, nearby hiking and mountain biking trails, and a unique resume entry.

Piedmont Biofuels, a cooperative started by some continuing education students at Central Carolina Community College, has grown substantially over the years. In addition to researching and producing diesel fuel from waste vegetable oil, they have implemented a variety of green building strategies and deployed passive solar, active solar and solar thermal. An active agritourism program welcomes thousands of visitors each year to see their organic farm, composting program, and oilseed experiments, and an information-packed Web site describes their ongoing projects and results.

Intern Power was used in the construction of this off grid, straw bale, passive solar biodiesel distribution point, at left, at their Industrial facility. Interns will have ample opportunities for participation in the co-op's extensive education and outreach, so strong communications skills and public speaking experience are preferred. Also, Rudolf says that preference will be given to those individuals without vehicles, or who arrive in diesel vehicles. Interested applicants can learn more at The Cooperative Internship Program.