HARRISBURG, Pa. – Eight college students who are pursuing careers in dairy production are experiencing 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 years ago to provide hands-on, farm-based learning experiences to the next generation of dairy managers, producers, and professionals in Pennsylvania and beyond.
“Every year, we work to match students with dairy farms that align with their interests and career goals, push them out of their comfort zones, and give them hands-on experience in specific areas of dairy production throughout their internship. This group of interns and host farms is exceptional,” said Michelle Shearer, workforce development manager at the Dairy Excellence Foundation. “Not only are they building on skills they learned in the classroom and gaining experience on different types of dairy farms, these interns are making direct impacts at the farm level with the work they’re doing this summer.”
“When the internship program started over 10 years ago, we saw the need to have students get out onto progressive dairy farms and apply the classroom skills they were acquiring. We also thought it would be a great way to enhance the labor pool for future employees we would need on our farms,” said Walt Moore of Walmoore Holsteins, a PDMP member and former Dairy Excellence Foundation Board member who is hosting an on-farm intern this summer. “Through the program, the interns infuse a sense of enthusiasm to their host farms, and they bring their own unique interests and skills as well.”
During the internship, students also conduct a research project that connects to their career interests and benefits their dairy farm’s operation. After researching and analyzing various topics, they will present their findings in August at the conclusion of the program.
The following interns are participating in the program this summer:
- Shyanne Ackerman – interning at Rohrer Dairy, Washington Boro, Pa.
- Isabella Anderson – interning at Ar-Joy Farms, Cochranville, Pa.
- Allison Billard – interning at Scipio Springs Dairy, Union Springs, N.Y.
- Payton Eierman – interning at Walmoore Holsteins, West Grove, Pa.
- Jessica Fleisher – interning at M.W. Smith Farms, Newport, Pa.
- Holly Mahala – interning at Vista Grande Farm, Fleetwood, Pa.
- Hannah Mansfield –interning at Kreider Farms, Manheim, Pa.
“I did not grow up on a dairy, so participating in on-farm internships and working at Penn State’s Dairy are the best ways I have found to gain on-farm experience. I have heard great things about these on-farm internships from classmates, and I wanted to get the chance to experience it for myself! I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to a great summer,” Hannah shared.
• Emma McLaughlin – interning at Schrack Farms, Loganton, Pa.
“I began working with dairy cattle in high school and am currently a student live-in and employee at the Penn State Dairy Barns. Through these experiences, I have truly enjoyed working with this species and now hope to pursue a career in the dairy industry. In order to take my interest to the next level, I hoped to find an internship where I could learn a lot more about herd management and experience the daily life of a herd manager first-hand,” Emma shared.
• Online applications for host farms and on-farm interns will open on September 1 for the summer of 2026. To learn more, visit centerfordairyexcellence.org/internship or contact Michelle Shearer at 717-788-0298 or by email at mshearer@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
