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Connect with the Peace Corps
If you're ready for something bigger, we have a place where you belong.
Apply to the Peace Corps
The application process begins by selecting a service model and finding an open position.
Let us help you find the right position.
If you are flexible in where you serve for the two-year Peace Corps Volunteer program, our experts can match you with a position and country based on your experience and preferences.
Serve where you’re needed mostSustainable Agriculture Agent
Agriculture
Job highlights
- Learn a local language, such as Wolof, Pulaar, Sereer, or Mandinka, from skilled Language and Cross-Culture Facilitators.
- Gain valuable, hands-on experience with sustainable agriculture at a grassroots level.
- Experience the warm and welcoming culture of Senegal.
Senegal • Africa
In partnership with: Smallholder farmers, secondary schools, agriculture extension agents
Applications are now closed. View current openings.
Apply by
June 15, 2026Know by
August 1, 2026Depart on
January 22, 2027Duration
2 years, plus 3 months trainingAbout the project
Farmers in Senegal are looking for ways to increase the productivity of field crops with new strategies and techniques, and you can lend a hand!
With well over a third of the population living below the poverty line, Senegal, like many of its regional neighbors, is affected by high rates of food insecurity and health vulnerability. Traditional agricultural practices, increasing temperatures, and coastal erosion are currently weakening the soil’s fertility and productivity. To address these challenges, local community growers work with smallholder family farmers to adopt improved crop cultivation technologies and practices. They also promote conservation agriculture, improved soil and water conservation, as well as improved post-harvest management. However, the local community growers require more help in building awareness and skills.
As a Sustainable Agriculture Agent, you will promote positive youth development and women’s economic stability. Alongside community members, you will share agricultural practices with youth clubs and women, giving them the tools to grow and manage gardens that yield diverse, nutritious foods for improved nutrition.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Senegal project page.
Required skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
OR
Bachelor's degree in any field.
OR
High school diploma or GED and 4 years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Required behavioral competencies
These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:
Motivation for and commitment to service
Adaptability and open-mindedness
Problem solving and resourcefulness
Behavioral maturity and professionalism
Photos from Senegal
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Develop partnerships with farmer associations, non-governmental organizations, and other local institutions.
Promote locally sustainable sources of improved seed varieties.
Facilitate youth clubs and agriculturally focused student groups.
Introduce food processing techniques to increase income and reduce food loss.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as establishing fruit tree orchards and facilitating English conversational clubs.
All Volunteers live with host families, which creates a sense of belonging and helps with integration. Many Volunteer homes do not have electricity and get their water from a community pump or well. Volunteers will be placed in the arid northern regions, including St. Louis, Thies, Diourbel, and Louga; more temperate central regions of Fatick and Kaolack; and tropical regions south of the Gambia River, including Sediou and Kolda.
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Senegal country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Meet a Volunteer in Senegal
Holden M.
Community Economic Development Volunteer
"Community members never forget how you made them feel and the skills you taught. Taking the time to listen, laugh, and learn together has been a deeply meaningful part of my service."
See full Volunteer profile
As a Sustainable Agriculture Agent, you will be trained on the promotion of improved seeds, gardening best practices, and agricultural product transformation. You will be introduced to a variety of soil fertility amendment and water conservation techniques. Peace Corps/Senegal will teach you Wolof, Pulaar, Sereer, or Mandinka to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a rural community where you will work with the community to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on the participatory analysis for community action methodology. After 3 months at site, you will receive additional technical training tailored to your needs based on the results of your community assessments.
Only heterosexual couples can be accepted for this program. Each person must apply separately and qualify for a position in a different sector than their partner. Cross-sector couples will live with different host families who may reside in different communities during training. Cross-sector couples may see each other for joint-sector training days or on the weekends but neither are guaranteed. Couples that serve in this country must be legally married to avoid conflicts that are not aligned with cultural and religious beliefs.
To learn more about serving as a couple in Senegal, visit the country page.
Application process
From application to departure takes around nine months. Learn about the application process for Volunteer opportunities.
Medical/legal clearance
You will need to be cleared medically and legally in order to serve in Senegal. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
