by Timothy Rutt
The Mariposa Creamery (that little goat farm/dairy also called the Zane Grey Estate) is looking for an intern for the upcoming kidding season:

We are looking to add an additional intern to our current team. The internship requires a 3-month commitment and can start as early as December 9. The shift that’s currently available is Tuesday thru Friday 7-9am. Interns will participate fully in the daily care of the goats and operation of the dairy, developing skills and knowledge in many areas including:

• Nutritional requirements for dairy goats
• Basic on-farm veterinary care including treatment of illnesses, administration of vaccines, kidding assistance etc
• Pre- and post-kidding care for does
• Care of newborn kids
• Hand milking and safe milk handling procedures
• Cheese making

Additional intern duties include raking, composting, moving 50lb hay bales, doing dishes, and interacting with farm guests. Optional opportunities to participate in on-farm chicken processing, help with cheese making classes, do outreach including off-site demonstrations, develop educational programs for local schools, write grant applications and project proposals related to education and/or conservation. We also arrange educational trips to other farms and dairies for our interns to share experiences and perspectives that we can’t provide at our farm. We operate a lending library for our interns which includes books and periodicals focusing on animal husbandry, dairying, farmland stewardship & soil conservation, cheese making, and food preservation. Potential for paid work at Angeles Crest Creamery in the future for the right candidate.