Beltane Farm
Internships for 2010

Beltane Farm is offering a series of internships for the 2010 season. Internships are categorized by focus on either goat husbandry or on the dairy and cheese production aspects of the farm.  Combined internships are also possible in these two areas.

Goat Husbandry and Livestock Management internships are six, eight or ten weeks long and include  the following areas. General animal care, daily care, milking, milk handling, small herd management. Stipend is $500.00 upon full completion of the six week program, $800.00 at the full completion of the eight week program and $1000.00 at the full completion of the ten week program. Internships average between 3.5 to 4.5 hours per day- some 6 hour days are required.
Upon completion, the intern will be knowledgeable in these areas:
General goat nutrition and seasonal variance in diet
General maintenance including hoof trimming

Medications, vaccinations and injections
Housing maintenance
Herd management
Milk production (use of equipment, cleaning practices, standards, state regulations and requirements)
Milking technique

Dairy and Cheese Production internships are four weeks, six weeks and eight weeks and include milk bottling, cheese and yogurt production including the packaging of  cheese and yogurt. Internship stipends include $250.00 for four weeks, $375.00 for six weeks and 500.00 for eight weeks. 10 week internships are also available and include the aging of cheese. Internships are between 4 and 5.5 hours per day – some 6 hour days required.
Upon completion, the intern will be knowledgeable in these areas:
Clean dairy practices
Standard production practices
Basic cheese production
Basic yogurt production
State regulations regarding the production of cheese, milk and yogurt
Variations between cow and goat milk. Techniques for managing seasonal variations in milk.

For more information, please email Paul Trubey at ptrubey@earthlink.net  or call 860-208-2887.

To apply, please send the following information by email or regular mail:

Name, Address, Contact information as well as a description of these areas:

1. Your interest in the internship (history, specific areas of interest, goals for internship as well as what you would like to do with the experience/knowledge gained from the internship)

2. Your current vision/understanding of small scale farming and how this relates to your interest and/or values.

3. Your educational background and a description of your work history.

4. Your physical capacity for standing, lifting and bending.

5. A description of your personality including what you see as your strengths and weaknesses.

Day long internships are also available and include general exposure to milking and cheese production. Cost is $250.00 per day and includes lunch. Limited availability. Please contact Paul Trubey for details.