Pennsylvania dairy production and associated businesses contribute more than $11.8 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economy. Those businesses create more than 47,000 jobs. View the following list of current job opportunities in the dairy industry.
Are you a dairy producer looking to share a current employment opportunity on your farm? Click here to submit your open position.
Role: Calving Corner Interns (Weekly Scholarship During 2024 PA Farm Show)
Organization: The Calving Corner, a live birthing exhibit at the PA Farm Show
Job Description: The Calving Corner intern scholarship program gives college age students with practical experience and interest in dairy science (or an ag-related field with a dairy background) an opportunity for an amazing experience at a live dairy cow birthing center and a financial award.
Calving Corner interns work closely with the project manager and herd manager to make the project possible. Interns gain a variety of experiences and are involved in all facets of the project: interacting with visitors; answering questions; routine cow/calf care; assisting with births if needed; working with volunteers and our host farm’s representatives; exhibit turnover; telling their dairy story; and traditional and social media experience.
Interns are provided with training, a meal allowance, sweatshirts, lodging and $150 per day scholarship for each day. The Calving Corner is also hiring an intern for night duty — to keep an eye on the cows and clean/prep the space for the next day. Involvement with the public would not be required for night duty.
How to Apply: Click here to view the full job description. Click here to apply for the intern scholarship.
Role: Dairy Extension Educator – Berks County
Organization: Penn State Extension
Job Description: Penn State Extension is seeking a Dairy Education Educator to serve as a team member on the nationally recognized Penn State Extension Dairy team to plan, design, implement and evaluate educational and applied research programs for dairy producers, employees, and industry representatives. Responsibilities include providing education and technical assistance for dairy producers in advanced dairy production practices, nutrition, feeding management, forage quality, and nutrient management as as well as conducting Extension education programs utilizing a variety of informal education methodologies.
How to Apply: Click here to apply.
Role: Director of Dairy Transformation
Organization: The Dairy Alliance
Job Description: The Director of Dairy Transformation is responsible for actively identifying opportunities for synergistic partnerships between farmers, processors, coops, universities, state agriculture and economic development staff to grow dairy in the southeast. This position will serve the Southeast local market, working to rejuvenate and rebuild the dairy ecosystem and identify opportunities to support growth opportunities for new and existing dairy processing. Accountable for efforts that facilitate new dairy infrastructure and innovation in the southeast by identifying key opportunities for checkoff support, investment and engagement through research, education and promotion.
How to Apply: Click here to view the full job description. Email careers@thedairyalliance.com to learn more.
Role: Dairy Extension Educator – Indiana County
Organization: Penn State Extension
Job Description: The Penn State Extension Dairy team is seeking an Extension Educator to serve as a team member to plan, design, implement and evaluate educational and applied research programs for dairy producers, employees and industry representatives. Responsibilities include providing education and technical assistance for dairy producers in advanced dairy production practices, business management, precision technologies and nutrient management, as well as conducting Extension education programs utilizing a variety of informal education methodologies. Accountable for efforts that facilitate new dairy infrastructure and innovation in the southeast by identifying key opportunities for checkoff support, investment and engagement through research, education and promotion.
How to Apply: Click here to apply.
Role: Dairy Manager (Full-Time)
Farm: Windsong Dairy (Adams Center, NY)
Job Description: Windsong Dairy is a 1,000-cow dairy with updated state-of-the-art facilities, 350-head young heifer facility (2023), 100-head calf barn (2022), 300-stall transition cow barn (2021), and a focus on continuous improvement and expansion. The Dairy Manager is responsible for effective supervision of the dairy operation and working as a member of a team focused on herd health and productivity, employee safety and engagement, facilities maintenance, and community relations. The Dairy Manager will be responsible for goal setting and attainment, motivation and evaluation of direct reports, and exercising sound judgement in carrying out these duties. Click here to view the full job description.
How to Apply: Call Jon at 315-952-9667 or email scipiospringsdairy@gmail.com.
Role: Farm Employees (Full-Time, Part-Time and Internship Opportunities)
Farm: Musser Run Jerseys (Mifflin County, Pennsylvania)
Job Description: Musser Run Jerseys is a first-generation dairy farm located in Central PA. They milk 200 registered Jerseys and raise all replacement heifers. They are currently looking to add to their workforce. The current workforce consists of mainly family members with the addition of two part-time highschoolers who help with the evening milking. Responsibilities could include milking (swing 12 parlor), feeding calves, cleaning out pens, operating equipment, moving/sorting cattle and other general tasks around the farm. Experience working with dairy cattle is a plus but not a requirement.
How to Apply: Call or email Kristen to apply or with questions. Email jkdiehl7@gmail.com or call (717) 899-6068.
Role: Herd Manager (Full-Time)
Farm: Rock Solid Dairy LLC (Cumberland County, Pennsylvania)
Job Description: Rock Solid Dairy LLC in Shippensburg, PA is seeking a full time Herd Manager. The individual should have AI experience and a good understanding of dairy farming. The farm uses PC-Dart for record keeping. Experience with operating light equipment would also help the dairy immensely. Competitive pay.
How to Apply: For more information or to apply, email Zane at zjgarber@gmail.com or call/text 717-360-2227.
Role: Calf Feeder/Manager (Full-Time)
Farm: Ar Joy Farms (Chester County, Pennsylvania)
Job Description: Ar Joy Farms is hiring a calf feeder/manager. They raise registered Holsteins with new facilities and a team atmosphere.
How to Apply: Call 610-476-3406 for more information, and send your application to drinkmilk1600@gmail.com.
Role: Dairy Extension Program Associate (Full-Time, Limited Appointment – 3 Years)
Organization: The Department of Animal Science at North Carolina State University
Job Description: The Department of Animal Science at North Carolina State University is seeking an Extension Program Associate to provide support to two grant initiatives focused on dairy businesses in North Carolina. The successful candidate will work with faculty in both the Animal Science and Ag & Resource Economics Departments to increase farmer participation in voluntary business management, cost share and educational programming. A successful candidate will have working knowledge of farm business management and the ability to interact professionally with dairy farmers to collect and collate farm-level data.
A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of training and experience are required.
How to Apply: Click here to learn more or apply today. For specific questions about the position or the application process, contact search committee chair, Dr. Stephanie Ward, at shward@ncsu.edu.
Role: Dairy Processing Plant Manager (Full-Time)
Farm/Business: Yoder’s Country Market (Lancaster County, Pennsylvania)
Job Description: Yoder’s Country Market is seeking a Full-Time Dairy Processing Plant Manager. Responsibilities are to oversee and manage the daily operations of the Dairy Processing Plant including hauling milk from farm to plant, testing samples, milk and ice cream production, purchasing supplies, following proper food handling practices, and scheduling staff.
How to Apply: For a full job description, email Dina at dina@yoderscountrymarket.com. Visit their website for more information about their operation or to apply.
Role: Crop and Field Manager (Full-Time)
Farm: Yippee! Farms (Lancaster County, Pennsylvania)
Job Description: The Crop and Field Manager is responsible for maintaining and repairing all farm equipment, managing planting, harvesting, manure hauling, and soil testing. They are looking for a forward, independent thinker with excellent communications skills for managing and working with others.
How to Apply: Email yippeefarm@gmail.com or call (717) 572-3593.
Role: Farm Employee (Full-Time)
Farm: Brian Mull’s Dairy (Lancaster County, Pennsylvania)
Job Description: This dairy farm has been in the Mull family for two generations, and they are looking to add more people to their team. The position available is feeding 135 dairy cows in a tie-stall barn in Quarryville, Pennsylvania. The work includes a mix of feeding and other various farm jobs, including regular maintenance and repairs on equipment and some other farm equipment operation. The ability to operate a skid loader and tractor mixer wagon are necessary for this position. Someone that can work well independently, is observant, and detail-oriented would be the best fit for this position.
How to Apply: Email Brian Mull at brmull81@gmail.com or call (717) 278-3110. Competitive pay is offered.
Role: Robot Barn Manager / Herdsperson (Full-Time)
Farm: Vista Grande Farms, LLC (Berks County, Pennsylvania)
Job Description: Vista Grande Farm is looking for an honest and dependable person to manage the milking processes in their 240-cow robotic barn. The farm raises all their replacements and grows all of the forages to feed the herd. This person should be able to work safely, calmly and independently as well as a team member to carry out the daily care of the herd to achieve high milk quality and cow health. Candidate will also be responsible for the cleanliness of the milking equipment and facility. Good verbal and written communication skills, computer literacy, and a willingness to work with technology will be necessary.
Responsibilities:
-Able to utilize computer program to develop “attention lists” and carry out follow-up.
-Monitor daily cow health. Identify and treat/assist treat sick cows.
-Work with dairy herd team and assist herdsperson.
-Identify milking robot problems and bottlenecks; assist with correction when familiar with system.
-Daily maintenance of milking robots.
-Calm movement of cattle; includes “fetch list” animals, fresh and dry cows.
-Work every other weekend.
How to Apply: Click here to download a job application. Submit your application for employment to vgf@early.com. Call Jesse Bitler at 610-780-9607 for more information. Compensation is based on skills and experience.
Role: Mechanic
Farm: Gorrell Dairy (Bradford County, PA)
Job Description: At Gorrell Dairy, a Mechanic is responsible for all aspects of maintaining and repairing the farm’s machinery and equipment and working with others on the mechanics/machinery maintenance crew to ensure the successful and efficient operation of the farm’s shop. The Mechanic is required to use his or her specialized skills and experience to locate and diagnose issues with machinery and equipment and find cost-effective solutions and repairs. The Mechanic at Gorrell Dairy is also a member of the harvest crew, and must be willing and able to take part in all duties related to fieldwork during planting and harvest seasons.
Responsibilities:
- Ensure that all equipment is in a constant state of readiness as assigned by the Head Mechanic.
- Follow the farm’s maintenance schedule for routine servicing of all machinery and equipment.
- Have and maintain an ongoing operating knowledge of all farm machinery and equipment.
- Keep organized and up-to-date records of any maintenance you perform on farm machinery.
- Perform repairs and tasks including, but not limited to brake jobs, engine replacements, clutch replacements, installations, calibrations, etc.
- As a member of the harvest crew, take part in all aspects of fieldwork during planting and harvest seasons.
How to Apply: Click here for a complete job description. Submit your application for employment to kendall@redriveragconsulting.com. Call Kendall Treadwell at 714-657-4798 for more information. Compensation is based on skills and experience.
Role: Feeder
Farm: Gorrell Dairy (Bradford County, PA)
Job Description: At Gorrell Dairy, the Feeder is responsible for feeding and caring for all livestock on the dairy facility. The proper care of dairy animals involves keeping the animal areas, lots, and barns clean and free from manure and extraneous objects. The Feeder works as a member of a team focused on herd health and productivity, employee safety, facilities maintenance, and community relations.
Responsibilities:
- Arrive on farm by 6:00AM daily and begin mixing rations no later than 6:30AM.
- Push up feed first thing each morning, noting any refusals so that adjustments can be made if necessary.
- Check bunks each morning and work with farm manager to decide feeding amounts.
- Check animals frequently and on-time each day to be sure they are receiving adequate feed.
- Work with nutritionist and farm manager to adapt and accommodate diet of animals as needed.
- Take direction from manager about what and when to feed, and any changes to the ration.
- Keep track of percent shrink and feed commodities.
- Get cows fed accurately and on-time without running out of feed.
How to Apply: Click here for a complete job description. Submit your application for employment to kendall@redriveragconsulting.com. Call Kendall Treadwell at 714-657-4798 for more information. Compensation is based on skills and experience.