Meet Adria, an On-Farm Intern Who Expanded Her Breeding and Reproduction Skills on 2,700-Cow Dairy

Adria Russell is a rising sophomore studying animal science with a minor in agriculture business at The Pennsylvania State University. Both sets of Adria’s grandparents owned dairy farms, and she grew up helping to feed calves and make hay on their farms. Now, she raises show heifers and cows at home with her family where…

Meet Kelly, an On-Farm Intern Who Gained Firsthand Experience With Rotational Grazing and Delivering Milk to Customers

Kelly Bliss grew up on her family’s farm in Huntingdon County, PA where they raise Jersey cattle, Angus cattle, and some breeding sheep. The 4-H and FFA programs she participated in allowed Kelly to become further involved in the dairy industry through showing which led to her joining the Huntingdon County Dairy Promotion team. Her…

Meet Alex, an On-Farm Intern Who’s Gaining Experience on a Robotic Dairy in New York

Alex Coursen grew up on a 60-cow robotic dairy near State College, Pennsylvania. This summer, he decided to complete an on-farm internship at Hemdale Farms in Clifton Springs, New York. While he has experience working on a robotic dairy, Hemdale Farms was a push outside his comfort zone – the farm milks approximately 1,400 cows…

Meet Lillian, an On-Farm Intern Who’s Learning About the Dairy Industry Before Starting Her Master’s Degree

Lillian Corbett is graduating from Penn State University with a bachelor’s in animal science at the end of the summer. She had some ag exposure in high school and spent time in college doing research on the University’s dairy farm. While finishing her degree over the summer, she wanted to get direct, farm-level experience and…

Meet Isabella, an On-Farm Intern Who’s Strengthening Her Breeding Skills While Learning Herd Management

Isabella Johnson started working in the dairy industry in high school, leading her towards her decision to attend Delaware Valley University where she studies Dairy Science.  As a rising senior, she has had opportunities to explore her interests within dairy farming.  She spent a previous summer breeding cows throughout the Northeastern states.  Looking towards graduation,…

Meet Calvin, an On-Farm Intern Who’s Gaining Firsthand Experience with Breeding and Genetics

As long as he can remember, Calvin Dechow has been around cows. A rising junior at Penn State University where he studies animal science, Calvin spends a lot of his time on his grandfather’s dairy farm in Western New York. He spends most of his summers working there and showing animals. After talking to dairy…

Nine Students Begin On-Farm Internships on Progressive Dairy Farms

These Internships Provide Students With On-Farm Learning Experiences This Summer Nine college students who are pursuing careers in dairy production recently began on-farm summer internships on progressive dairy farms in Pennsylvania and New York. The Dairy Excellence Foundation, the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association created the program more than 10…

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 2024 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,…

On-Farm Internship Program Now Open for Applications for Students and Host Farms

College Students and High School Graduates Can Apply for an Internship and Dairy Farms Can Apply to Host an Intern Undergraduate students, high school graduates, and host farms are encouraged to apply for the 2024 On-Farm Internship program. Applications are now being accepted, with up to eight interns given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience…

Meet Amanda, a College Senior Who Explored the Dairy Industry Through On-Farm Externship

Amanda Peirson didn’t grow up in the agriculture community, but thanks to the clubs and activities she joined at The Pennsylvania State University, she quickly discovered a strong interest in dairy science. “I have no background in farming whatsoever. I ended up joining Dairy Science Club and other agriculture activities my freshman year, and I…