Farm Internships in Montana

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Taylor in Animal Husbandry, Education, Farming, Internships // 0 Comments

Farm Internships in Montana at Black Dog Farm – 2021

Black Dog Farm is a dryland pasture-based pork, poultry, and egg farm in Livingston, Montana. We are just 1 hour from Yellowstone National Park in the shadow of the Beartooth and Absaroka Mountains, and minutes from both the famed Paradise Valley & Yellowstone River providing ample outdoor recreation opportunities.

Husband and wife team Tim & Kira started Black Dog Farm in 2017 and have experienced an amazing and humbling trajectory of growth and cultivated a robust community presence and local market for our meat and eggs. We sell all of our products locally via our website and weekly home delivery. We also purchase from and distribute for other local food producers via our website, aiming to offer a one-stop local grocery option. In 2020, we opened an on-farm state licensed poultry processing facility, one of just 2 in the state of Montana. We are now both full-time on the farm and oversee daily operations working side by side with interns and employees.

We are a farrow-to-finish year-round pork operation. We raise Idaho Pasture Pigs for meat using portable electric fencing and shelters. Our sows farrow on pasture (unless there are negative temperatures and blizzards in October, then we’ll bring them inside). In addition to our pigs, we keep a flock of ~1,000 laying hens and will raise >3,000 Freedom Ranger broiler chickens in 2021. Our first broilers for the year arrive in March and we aim to be done processing October 1. We have a large, newly constructed indoor brooder where we raise chicks for varying amounts of time depending on the weather before transitioning them to portable shelters on pasture. During the 2021 season, we will be processing chickens twice weekly from June-October 1.

Farm Internships in Montana

We have a few different intern opportunities for 2021. First, we are looking for 2-3 part-time interns. This position would allow for a part-time outside job and would not include housing. You will want a car to get to and from the farm. We need help Monday-Saturday and would be looking for at least 2-3 days per week, with 1-2 of those days being chicken butchering days. These positions would be ideal for people looking to spend some time in this beautiful country while gaining some small farm experience. We feel we are able to offer realistic, hands on experience in raising pigs and chickens for profit for people interested in starting or managing a similar operation. There is potential for occasional paid farm sitting during your internship. Ideal availability is May-October, but we may be able to accommodate shorter commitments. Minimum length of internship is 3 months.

The second position is for a full-time live-on farm hand. We have a 240 square foot tiny home with a full kitchen and bathroom on the farm for intern housing. Housing, utilities, and a monthly living stipend of $700 are included. This position is 4-5 days per week and 1 weekend per month. 1-2 partial days per week will be spent processing chickens with the team. Hours vary depending on the day, but are generally 7:30-5 or 6PM with a long lunch break and coffee breaks. This person will be working closely with us and will have the opportunity to partly oversee and direct other interns and daily operations, as well as learn about the business side of small livestock farming. We provide as much mentorship as you want, and this extends past your time here. There is potential for trying new processes and ideas and for a lot of learning. This person MUST be strongly self-directed and motivated, have a great attitude, be committed to animal welfare, and be willing to go above and beyond to ensure things are functioning safely and smoothly for the animals. You must be an independent thinker capable of problem solving and making decisions while also working with and taking a leadership role among a team. Previous farm and livestock experience is a plus. Required availability is May through mid-October (5 months).

Intern and farm hand duties include day-to-day animal care and chores including feeding, watering, cleaning the brooder, and moving animals and fencing. Additional responsibilities may include cleaning and packaging eggs, inventory, order packing, fence building and fixing, shelter construction, cleaning, prepping and cleaning the processing facility, and general farm maintenance. The work can be hot and dirty. A positive attitude, pride in your contribution, a team player mentality, and an ability to put your head down and get it done are essential.

How to Apply for Farm Internships in Montana

Please respond to blackdogfarmmt@gmail.com with which position you are interested in, your start and end date, and a paragraph telling us about yourself including any relevant experience. Applications are due by March 30, 2021 but the position may be filled before then.