LIVESTOCK INTERN
Job Description: Rodale Institute is seeking a qualified intern to aid in the care and management of our livestock. Rodale’s livestock currently consists of a swine facility, two oxen, two donkeys, a small herd of goats and sheep, laying hens, a herd of 16 dairy steers and also seasonally broilers and turkeys. This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in not only raising organic livestock but getting a wide variety of different livestock experiences.
Location: Rodale Institute Experimental Farm, 611 Siegfriedale Road, Kutztown, PA 19530
Responsibilities Could Include:
- Daily chores consisting of feeding, watering, rotating animals, collecting eggs and interacting with animals.
- Assisting with rotationally grazing most animals, which requires setting up new fencing, taking down old and managing pastures.
- Assisting and learning organic animal husbandry practices and record keeping.
- Being observant to the animals needs and aiding in solving problems that may occur.
Candidate Qualifications
- Experience caring for, handling and working with agricultural livestock.
- Compassionate and patient with animals.
- Capable of strenuous physical labor required by the duties of working on a farm.
- Willingness to work in all weather conditions.
- Able to adjust to the flexible schedule livestock can sometimes require.
- Able to work independently or as a team.
- Good communication skills with all staff, other interns, volunteers and even local farmers.
- Overall interest in organic agriculture and livestock.
Compensation: An ideal candidate will complete this internship for college credit. Additionally, there is an opportunity for a student to receive housing at Rodale Institute, as well as some organic food from the farm. Students not receiving college credit may be eligible for a $200/week stipend.
Schedule: An ideal candidate for an internship could commit to at least 40 hours/week but be flexible to extra hours if needed and would ideally be able to stay for a period of 4-6 months.
To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume and at least two references to Shelby Dukes at Shelby.dukes@rodaleinstitute.org.
Deadlines: Suggested deadlines are listed below. If you miss a deadline, or you are interested in an internship that does not meet the minimum duration, please contact Shelby Dukes, Animal Husbandry Coordinator at Shelby.dukes@rodaleinstitute.org, as exceptions can sometimes be made based on the needs of Rodale Institute.
Spring Internship: January 1, 2017
Summer Internship: March 1, 2017
Fall Internship: July 1, 2017
About Rodale Institute: Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to pioneering organic farming through research and outreach. For seventy years, the Institute has been researching the best practices of organic agriculture and sharing findings with farmers and scientists throughout the world, advocating for policies that support farmers, and educating consumers about how going organic is the healthiest option for people and the planet.
To learn more about additional internship opportunities at Rodale Institute, please visit:
http://rodaleinstitute.org/dig-deeper/work-with-us/
