COFSAC

Internship Opportunities

COLORADO FOOD SYSTEMS ADVISORY COUNCIL

www.cofoodsystemscouncil.org

The Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council (COFSAC) is seeking three unpaid interns to
support the research, communications, and regular meetings of the Council.

#1) ISSUE BRIEF DEVELOPMENT INTERN:

Start Date: mid to late November 2014

End Date: January 31st 2015
Expected total hours: 20-40 (depending upon level of involvement with interviews and national
scan)
One intern is needed to help develop a series of short advancing food systems issues in
Colorado issue briefs. The issue briefs follow an established format and template. Previous
briefs are available on the COFSAC home page. The primary intent is to raise awareness about
opportunities for the state of Colorado in areas that achieve the COFSACs charge.

Responsibilities include:

Review previous issue briefs and become familiar with the intent and typical content.

Communicate regularly with COFSAC Chair and staff on progress.

Help finalize one issue brief on the reuse of natural resources to promote food security by:
o Review existing draft brief to become familiar with work already completed. Case studies
are already being developed on the use of recycled water for edible crop production.
o Work with the COFSAC to identify 4-5 key informants from state agencies and other
organizations that could help identify and discuss 2-3 promising examples of areas where
Colorado could more strongly support reuse of resources for edible (healthy) crop
production.
o Work with COFSAC staff to develop key informant interview questions that would 1) help
identify promising/underdeveloped areas; 2) provide adequate content and information
on each example; 3) document clear opportunities for the state government to play a role
in advancing the issue.
o Schedule phone interviews or meetings with the key informants.
o Conduct 4-5 interviews and provide comprehensive notes from each.
o Help to write certain sections in a series of short issue briefs based on key informant
interviews. (e.g., develop one on the use of public lands or lands in conservation for food
production, and develop one on the use of alternative energies to increase food
production, etc.)
o Conduct a brief national scan to identify similar efforts or best practices from other states.
o Work with other partners to integrate existing work being done related to recycled water.

COFSAC INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Desired Qualifications:

Knowledge of food systems issues

Basic familiarity with the concepts at hand

Strong communication skills

Attention to detail

Active in a post-secondary education program

#2) RESEARCH INTERN:

Start Date: Mid to late November

End Date: January 31st 2015
Expected hours: 20-30 hours
One intern is needed to conduct analysis and interpretation of the state's economic development
(Blueprint) plan as it relates to health and agriculture. The intent is to analyze alignments in
the areas of health & wellness, food & agriculture, and agritourism in order to identify goal areas
that relate to COFSACs charge. Analysis across these different sector plans can help inform
where COFSAC chooses to focus. Responsibilities include:

Review the Health & Wellness Strategic Plan, Food & Ag Industry Plan, Cultural Heritage &
Agritourism Strategic Plan, and the Blueprint in detail to identify goal areas that relate to
COFSACs charge.

Document areas of alignment across the various plans.

Assess the most promising areas for COFSAC to focus on or recommend policy dimensions in
need of state level attention.

Work with staff at the Office of Economic Development & International Trade to identify and
reach out to any regions that have or are prioritizing sector plans related to health &
wellness, food & ag, or agritourism.

Conduct key informant interviews as necessary with regional contacts as well as OEDIT staff
to vet findings and uncover any other opportunities.

Develop a report of findings for COFSAC that clearly indicates pressing opportunities for
additional issue briefs or other action by COFSAC.

Desired Qualifications:

Knowledge of food systems issues

Excellent research and analysis skills

Strong writing skills

Attention to detail

COFSAC INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

#3) STAFFING SUPPORT INTERN:

Start Date: January 15th 2015
End Date: January 31st 2016
Expected hours: 60-100

One intern is needed to support the logistical needs of the council. The COFSAC will meet from
1:30pm-4:30pm on March 11th, June 10th, September 9th, and December 9th 2015. This intern
would be required to attend each of these meetings in their entirety.

Responsibilities include:

Maintain a quarterly meeting schedule.

Find and secure meeting locations.

Collect RSVPs from Council members as well as guests.

Send reminders to COFSAC members regarding meetings, calls, reports, etc.

Attend and generate minutes all meetings.

Disseminate meeting notes and integrate feedback in a timely manner to members and
guests.

Schedule conference calls for work groups as needed.

Assist the Chair in developing two annual reports to be submitted to the Governors Office
and General Assembly: October 1st and January 31st.

Coordinate COFSAC review and approval of each annual report.

Shepherd the issue brief process to facilitate development by COFSAC members, key
informants and technical assistance.

Maintain member profiles, current reports, and current issue briefs on the COFSAC website.

Respond to questions regarding the Councils activities from partners as needed.

Respond to additional requests from the Chair or Vice-chair as needed.

Desired Qualifications:

Highly organized

Punctual

Strong recording/note-taking skills

Attention to detail

Good writing skills

Strong communication skills

COFSAC INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

CONTACT:
For any questions about these opportunities please contact Wendy Peters Moschetti, COFSAC
staff support, at wendy@wpmconsulting.net or (303) 819-2846.

COFSAC INFORMATION
HISTORY

The Council was formed in 2010 with the signing of Senate Bill 10-106: Creation of Colorado
Food Systems Advisory Council. Senate Bill 13-174: Concerning the Continuation of the Colorado
Food Systems Advisory Council was signed into law in 2013 to support the continuation of the
COFSAC until September 1st 2018 when the next sunset review will occur. This continuation bill
also added two new seats to the COFSAC, an academic seat and a seat for CSU Extension.

MISSION AND PURPOSE

The Councils charge is to advance recommendations that strengthen healthy food access for all
Coloradans through Colorado agriculture and local food systems and economies.

The purpose, as outlined in Senate Bill 10-106 and extended in the sunset review process
through Senate Bill 13-174 is to:
Purpose A. Identify and use existing studies of the food system and examples of best practices,
whenever possible;
Purpose B. Work with other task forces, committees, or organizations that are pursuing
initiatives or studies similar to the purposes and duties outlined in this article and
develop relationships with other task forces, committees, or organizations to
collaborate on similar efforts;
Purpose C. Develop local food recommendations that promote the building of robust, resilient,
and long-term local food economies;
Purpose D. Develop recommendations regarding hunger and food access;
Purpose E. Collaborate with, serve as a resource to, and receive input from local and regional
food policy councils in the state;
Purpose F. Collaborate with the department of agriculture in promoting the marketing program
known as "Colorado Proud", which helps consumers, restaurants, and retailers to
identify and purchase Colorado food and agricultural products; and
Purpose G. Develop recommendations for actions that state and local governments, businesses,
agriculturists, and consumers can take to build robust, resilient, and long-term local
food economies.

COFSAC INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

COFSAC REQUIREMENTS
The COFSAC is required by SB 13-174 to submit two annual reports of activities and related
recommendations for the Governors Office and state legislature, on October 1st and January 31st.
All members must contribute to, review, and approve each submitted report.

Additionally, the COFSAC has committed to developing 1-2 issue briefs per year on specific topics
that meet the core charge of the COFSAC.

TARGETED ACTIVITIES OF THE COUNCIL

Please see the annual reports, summary of local food coalition networking activities, and current
issue briefs on the COFSAC website: www.cofoodsystemscouncil.org

COFSAC SEATS

The council consists of fifteen members as follows:

1) Four state departments with one representative each, without term limits:
Department of Agriculture
Department of Education
Department of Human Services
Department of Public Health & Environment

2) Eleven members appointed by the governor who represent and have expertise in one of the
functional areas of food systems, as follows:
Nutrition and Health, two representatives (one serving a 2-year term and one serving a 3-
year term)
Anti-Hunger and Food Assistance, one representative (serving a 3-year term)
Rural/Regional/Community/Economic Development, one representative (serving a 3-year
term)
Three members who represent agricultural production, at least one of whom represents a
large producer and one a small producer (one serving a 3-year term, and two serving 2-year
terms)
One member who represents small food wholesalers or food retailers (serving a 3-year term)
and one member who represents large food wholesalers of food retailers, of which one of the
two members may represent both small and large food wholesalers or food retailers (serving
a 2-year term)
One member from an academic institution who specializes in economic systems, agriculture,
or health (serving a 4-year term)
The Director of Colorado State University Extension or his/her designee (serving a 4-year
term)
COFSAC INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES


2014 Members include:
Shawnee Adelson, Board Member, Colorado Farmers' Market Association
Jane Brand, R.D., S.N.S., School Nutrition Director, Colorado Department of Education
Mary Lou Chapman, President & CEO, Rocky Mountain Food Industry Association
Steve Ela, M.S., Producer, Ela Family Farms/Silver Spruce Partners, LLC
Karen Falbo, C.N., Nutrition Program Manager, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
Trudy Kareus, State Director, USDA Rural Development
Pat Kendall, Ph.D., R.D., Professor Emeritus, Food Science and Human Nutrition,
Colorado
State University
Jill Litt, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Health, Colorado School of
Public Health; Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, CU-Boulder
Levetta Love, Director, Office of Economic Security, Colorado Department of Human Services
Barbara Marty, Producer
Tracy Miller, MSPH, RD, Manager, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Prevention Services
Division, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Louis Swanson, Ph.D., Vice President for Engagement and Director of Extension,
Colorado State University (Appointee: Dawn Thilmany McFadden, Extension
Economist, Colorado State University
Linda Yoder, Producer

COFSAC INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES