Lloyd Noble Scholars in Agriculture

One semester or one summer... That's all it takes to become a member of a team, impact the agriculture industry and set a course that can change your life.

The Lloyd Noble Scholars in Agriculture program offers the opportunity to work alongside agricultural professionals at one of the nation's foremost agricultural consultation and research organizations.

The Noble Research Institute offers opportunities in its core areas of expertise: animal science and livestock management (emphasis on forage-based ruminant systems), agricultural economics, agronomy, horticulture, range management, soils and crops, and wildlife and fisheries. Any given day could find you working directly with Noble Research Institute agricultural consultants and researchers, meeting with one of Noble's 1,700 cooperator-families – actual agricultural producers – that work with the Agricultural Division on a daily basis, or conducting research on one or more of Noble's seven research farms. This combination of activities and opportunities creates one of the most valuable and unique production agriculture-related internships in the United States.

The Lloyd Noble Scholars in Agriculture is more than just an internship; it's a chance to benefit the agriculture industry and change your life. It's an opportunity to explore possibilities across a variety of disciplines. It's a chance to discover your future.

"As an agricultural communications major, I was curious about what the program might offer for me. I learned more than I could have imagined about various segments of the agricultural industry. I am confident that the understanding and awareness I gained in my time at Noble will help me in the future as I pursue an agricultural communications career."
— Morgan Hannabass, Oklahoma State University, 2014 Lloyd Noble Scholar

What will I be doing?

Scholars work alongside agricultural researchers and consultants who assist farmers, ranchers and other land owners operating in the cattle belt of the Southern Great Plains to attain financial, production and quality-of-life goals. Scholars will develop valuable applied agriculture skills, interact with and assist in identifying solutions to real-world issues encountered by producers, and further enhance communication and leadership skills necessary to be effective advocates for agriculture. The objective of the scholar experience is to provide participants a competitive advantage in the development of a career in a leading agricultural field of study, thus enabling them to positively impact the agriculture industry of tomorrow. At the conclusion of the summer program, scholars present their findings to the Noble Research Institute agriculture and research community.

What areas of research can I pursue?

"Though our family raises cattle for a living, l learned something new every day at the Noble Research Institute."
— Seth Pratt, University of Idaho, 2014 Lloyd Noble Scholar

Do I get paid?

Yes. Scholars earn approximately $4,800 for about a two-and-a-half month program (taxes will be deducted from this amount automatically). Scholars work 40 hours per week and payments are made semimonthly.

Where will I stay?

The Noble Research Institute provides excellent accommodations for all out-of-area scholars. Per rules set forth by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), housing that is provided by the Noble Research Institute is considered a taxable fringe benefit.

What can I do during my off hours?

The Noble Research Institute is located in Ardmore, Oklahoma, which has a population of about 25,000. Ardmore offers the privacy and comfort of small town life while providing convenient access to entertainment, shopping and restaurants. Scholars will have access to about 4,500 acres of land, streams and ponds owned by the Noble Research Institute for recreational use during employment.

Learn more about Ardmore and activities in the surrounding area

Am I eligible to be a Lloyd Noble Scholar in Agriculture?

Candidates must:

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in a college or university within the United States, such program resulting in the award of a baccalaureate, master's or associate's degree.
• Have completed their sophomore year (at least 56 credit hours) with a declared major in an agriculture-related field with appropriate course work (research experience is not required).
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States (for any employer) and will not require employment visa sponsorship for this internship.
• Be capable of working 40 hours per week for approximately a semester (non-summer) or 10 weeks (summer).

When does the internship begin?

The Ag Scholars program start date can vary but typically will begin in mid-May and end in mid-August.

Where are applications available?

Applications for the upcoming summer will be available online.

"I applied for an Ag Scholar position to learn more about cattle. However, what I took away from this summer was a far greater understanding and appreciation for the entire agriculture industry as a whole. My experience at the Noble Research Institute surpassed all expectations."
— Courtney Hemphill, Texas A&M University,
2014 Lloyd Noble Scholar