Winfield United Research & Development Intern
Posted on 9/12/2025
Land O'Lakes
Compensation Overview
$25/hr
River Falls, WI, USA
In Person
Relocation assistance may be provided to eligible candidates for the duration of the summer internship.
WinField United Research & Development Internship, Summer 2026
When you intern at Land O’Lakes, you're joining a Fortune 250 agribusiness and food production leader with more than 100 years of operations as a farmer- and member-owned cooperative. With business units spanning crop insight and inputs, animal nutrition, dairy foods, and sustainability solutions, you will experience a hands-on, purpose-driven internship. You’ll have opportunities to network with industry leaders, tour our state-of-the-art facilities, and be challenged with a business-critical project, all while gaining skills that will impact your career trajectory.
WinField United offers unmatched agricultural expertise to help farmers, retailers, and other partners succeed. As a customer-owned wholesale supplier of crop protection inputs, seed, and crop nutrients with a commitment to shaping the future of farming, we are uniquely positioned to help retailers and farmers implement modern farming practices. To grow more food with fewer inputs. To be even better stewards of precious land and water resources. To always be mindful of the next generation of farmers.
We have Research & Development Intern openings available for Summer 2026 at our WinField United Innovation Center in River Falls, WI.
Internship Duration:11 weeks (May – August 2026)
Interns are paid $25.00/hour. Relocation assistance may be provided to eligible candidates for the duration of the summer internship.
Research & Development Field Intern
The R&D Field Intern will be responsible for implementing research in a field setting based on protocols received from research managers. Responsibilities will include tasks such as field prep, planting of crops, laying out trials, spraying treatments, and some data collection (tissue sampling, visual ratings, stand counts). Trials conducted will cover multiple product lines such as seed treatment, adjuvants, herbicides, fungicides, plant nutrition, biologicals, and application technology. They will work with a team consisting of 2-3 fellow interns as well as full-time staff.The intern will have the opportunity to work closely with research scientists and learn about various product areas as well as how and why we conduct research differently based on the product area being tested.
Research & Development Lab Intern
The R&D Lab Intern will primarily support the biological, phenotyping, and controlled environments labs, with possible involvement in chemistry, seed treatment, and wind tunnel labs as needed. The Controlled Environments lab, part of the Product Development group at the River Falls Innovation Center, features a greenhouse, growth chambers, and facilities for plant-based research on WinField United’s experimental and current products such as adjuvants, herbicides, plant nutrition, seed treatments, and plant growth regulators for diverse cropping systems. The R&D Lab Intern will help conduct experiments for the Product Development group, working with the greenhouse, growth chambers, and related equipment. Responsibilities include preparing plant material, carrying out research procedures, and collecting data to advance both new and existing WinField United products.
Experience-Education (Required)
Sophomore(preferred) or junior undergraduate pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agronomy, crop & soil science, agriculture business, ag education, ag system management, chemistry, horticulture, plant science, plant pathology, or other related field of study
Possess a valid driver’s license; have and maintain a satisfactory driving record
Required GPA of 3.0 or higher
Competencies-Skills (Preferred)
Interest in conducting research.
Ability to work without direct supervision.
Excellent communication, writing, and critical thinking skills.
Manage time and effectively prioritize and implement projects and general work tasks.
Give and receive feedback, work collaboratively, exhibit effective social and interpersonal skills.
Resourceful and innovative in finding solutions to problems.
Flexible and can adapt to changing business surroundings.
Ability to adhere to strict safety standards when handling crop protection products in lab and field settings, if applicable.
Obtain and utilize a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License in the state of the internship location, if applicable.
Properly wear chemical application equipment and personal protective equipment while working as required by job duties.
About Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.
Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).
Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.
Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.
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