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Dairy farming and small-scale processing are some of the hardest jobs you can take on. They require physical and emotional strength, perseverance, patience, flexibility, good observational skills, love of and respect for animals and ability to maintain routines. You may be required to stay up all night, get up in the dark or otherwise interrupt your sleep to check on animals or cheese. You may have to work outdoors in all kinds of weather, you might get really dirty or even splattered with manure. If you work at a creamery you may be required to interact with the public. For some reason, people do it anyway. The benefits and rewards of dairy farming keep many people going in spite of the hardships. If you'd like to try your hand at it, contact some of the farms below for information about their internships, apprenticeships or employment opportunities. |
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| Farm Name, Link & Location | Type | Description |
| Hawai'i | ||
| Hawai'i Island Goat Dairy 808-775-9787, please only between 7 AM and 7 PM PST |
goat farm cheesemaking |
Tropical living on a shoestring as an intern at Hawai'i Island Goat Dairy. Must commit to at least two months. Work with goats, cheesemaking, marketing, according to your skills. Housing and stipend included. Openings Summer 2008. |
| Idaho | ||
| Ballard Family Dairy and Cheese e-mail Stacie or Steve |
cow dairy cheesemaking |
Looking for a full time employee to assist head cheesemaker. We are a small farmstead / dairy / cheese plant operation interested in an employee who retains these skills, qualities, and the ability to perform various strenuous tasks. |
| Illinois | ||
| Prairie Fruits Farm, LLC (Organic Fruit Orchard and Illinois’ First Farmstead Goat Cheeserie) 217-643-2314 |
goat farm
fruit farm |
Dairy Goat Herdsman and Land Manager Wanted: Animal husbandry responsibilities include milking and maintaining dairy goat herd, maintaining and establishing pastures for rotational grazing and new hay fields. Land management responsibilities include maintenance and harvesting of organic fruit. Background and/or experience on a dairy farm highly desirable; ability to operate and maintain dairy and farm equipment essential; familiarity with organic fruit production a plus. Competitive salary and benefits. |
| Maine | ||
| Appleton Creamery |
goat farm cheesemaking |
Serious cheese making and goat husbandry apprenticeship at award-winning goat cheese dairy in beautiful midcoast Maine area. Unique opportunity to experience the entire cycle from delivering kids to marketing the finished product at farmers’ markets. 5-acre farm, organic gardens, poultry, fencing project, small vineyard and heirloom orchard, homebrewing. Family of 3. April – October, not a year round position. Two positions available in '08. Room and board, small stipend. Full description on web site. |
| Michigan | ||
| Cathy 269-267-6970 | goat farm and orchard | Apprenticeship position available at Evergreen Lane Farm, an artisan goat cheese dairy and organic apple orchard. Housing, utilities and stipend are provided. 4 hours a day, six days a week with a 3 month commitment needed. |
| New York | ||
| Heamour Farm
315-893-7616 |
cow farm cheesemaking rare breeds |
Organic cow dairy looking for intern (or couple) serious about learning how to make and sell cheese. Rotationally grazed herd is partly heritage breed (Ayrshire or Kerry). We primarily make raw aged cheeses, plus some fresh pasteurized ones for direct sales only. The intern will learn all there is about cheese making and aging. They must love the idea of doing Farmer's Markets and be clean, detail oriented people. Not for the raw beginner. |
| North Carolina | ||
| Goat Lady Dairy 336-824-2163 |
goat farm cheesemaking |
We have 3 semester-long openings for interns in 2008 (three-month minumum). Interns will work in all aspects of farmstead and artisan cheesemaking as conducted at Goat Lady Dairy. These include some work with milking goats but mostly the day to day work in the cheeseroom as well as marketing our products. Housing and stipend included. |
| Ripshin Goat Dairy 828-758-0906 |
goat farm cheesemaking |
Beginning in April 2008, we will have a part-time position at our goat dairy. Morning help on weekends. The primary responsibility is working with the goats. (No housing.) |
| Oklahoma | ||
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Pontotoc Technology Center e-mail |
cheesemaking | Goat milk creamery is looking for an experienced cheesemaker to operate a 10,000 lb per day creamery. This is a full time position with salary determined by experience and a benefit package that includes health insurance. Additionally there will be an opportunity for the cheesemaker to become a partner in the operation through a working interest. |
| Ontario, Canada | ||
| Cheesemaker
contact: Karen Cudmore |
cheesemaking | Desired qualifications: 4-5 years direct cheese making experience; experience in managing cheese-making operation including plant, process, sanitation and staff; ability to troubleshoot throughout the making process to ensure a quality product; ability to develop new recipes and combinations; have or successfully complete the HTST Pasteurization Training Programme; successful completion of the Plant Milk and Cream Graders Training Programme; formal studies - University Guelph or Vermont |
| Wisconsin | ||
| Petra Zinniker Elkhorn WI e-mail |
biodynamic, cowshare, more | Small organic/biodynamic dairy farm is offering a full time salaried position to help in all aspects of the operation. Cowshare program, rotational grazing, poultry and more. Experience preferred, but willing to train the right person. Pay according to experience, skill and responsibility level. |
| Positions Wanted | ||
| Lindsay Dodson | Looking for an internship/apprenticeship at a creamery or goat dairy that focuses on fresh and mold ripened cheeses. Currently learning how to make cheese at a sheep dairy in California but sheep milking season is coming to an end... and I would like to further my education this year in regards to goats'-milk cheeses. Want to soak up professional knowledge and experience. Hard-working, quick-learning, and self-sufficient. References available upon request. | |
| Pat Andrews | Interested in working with small dairy operation. Have worked on farm since 16 yrs old. Wife worked on horse farm since 5. Have worked at various building, electrical, plumbing remodeling trades for years but have 5 years farming and minking and looking for a nice farm to feel at home and work on. | |
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Free listings for dairy and creamery internships, apprenticeships and jobs with small-scale operations.
To list your position, please e-mail details, location and contact information. |
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