Dairy Farms Encouraged to Host Interns and Apprentices on Their Operations

Producers Who Might Be Looking for Employees Can Apply for Interns or Apprentices Dairy producers from Pennsylvania and beyond are encouraged to apply to be a host farm in the 2026 On-Farm Internship Program. The program was designed to provide 10- to 12-week on-farm internships and create opportunities for Pennsylvania students to gain practical knowledge,…

Students Encouraged to Apply for 2026 Internships at the Farm Level and Industry Level

College Students and High School Graduates Can Apply for an Internship, Dairy Farms Can Apply to Host an Intern Undergraduate students, high school graduates, and dairy farmers are encouraged to apply for two 2026 internship opportunities. Applications are now being accepted for On-Farm Internships and a Dairy Education and Communications Internship next summer. The Professional…

Meet Hannah, an Enthusiastic On-Farm Intern Expanding Her Knowledge for the Future  

Love Hannah’s story? Click here to meet more interns and read their stories! A North Carolina native has been spending her summer immersing herself in the Pennsylvania dairy industry. Hannah Mansfield, a rising junior at Penn State University, is studying Animal Science with plans to become a dairy herd manager after graduation. Hannah wasn’t raised on…

Meet Isabella, an On-Farm Intern Who’s Learning About Ice-Cream Making and Calf Care 200 Miles From Home

Love Isabella’s story? Click here to meet more interns and read their stories! Growing up in Connecticut, Isabella Anderson discovered her passion for the dairy industry after participating in 4-H and finding herself spending more and more time on the farm. “My great uncle had some cows. He lived literally right down the road from us,…

Meet Holly, an On-Farm Intern Who’s Getting an Inside Look at Robotic Dairy Farm

Love Holly’s story? Click here to meet more interns and read their stories! As an animal science major at West Virginia University with one semester to go, Holly Mahala decided to complete an On-Farm Internship to explore the dairy industry and consider whether she enjoys a farm-level role. Holly was paired with Vista Grande Farm in…

Meet Shyanne, an On-Farm Intern Who’s Exploring Breeding and Herd Health Technology

Love Shyanne’s story? Click here to meet more interns and read their stories! Shyanne Ackerman grew up on a 100-cow, tie-stall dairy operation. When she had the chance to complete an On-Farm Internship this summer at Rohrer Dairy – a 1,700-cow dairy farm with a rotary parlor that’s vastly different from what she experienced growing up…

Meet Payton, an On-Farm Intern With Passion for Research and Veterinary Science

Love Payton’s story? Click here to meet more interns and read their stories! When Payton Eirman’s family decided to exit the dairy industry in 2017, it was a hard and emotional decision. Eight years later, Payton is now a college student entering her junior year at Delaware Valley University where she’s studying animal science with a…

Meet Emma, an On-Farm Intern Who Is Honing Her Breeding Skills and Gaining Experience on Larger Dairy Farm

Love Emma’s story? Click here to meet more interns and read their stories! Emma McLaughlin’s first experience working with dairy cattle began in high school. She grew up in 4-H and FFA, showing a large variety of livestock. Her neighbors had a dairy farm, and she eventually started showing cows with the family. Emma’s dairy experience…

Meet Jessica, an On-Farm Intern Who’s Exploring Her Passion for Herd Management on 700-Cow Dairy

Love Jessica’s story? Click here to meet more interns and read their stories! Jessica Fleisher is a rising senior at Penn State University studying Animal Science. Her plans for the future? She hopes to become a dairy herd manager. To help explore her dream, she is interning at M. W. Smith Farms in Perry County,…

Meet Allison, an On-Farm Intern Gaining Essential Skills as a Future Veterinarian

Love Allison’s story? Click here to meet more interns and read their stories! Growing up on a small livestock farm, working with animals is not a new activity for Allison Billard, a senior at Penn State University. Her love for working with animals, including beef and goats, has guided Allison to where she is now….