Ranch Intern Regen Grazing – Barney Creek Livestock

Last Updated On: November 1st, 2023 at 01:40PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
24 McGuire Hill Road
LIVINGSTON, Montana, 59047-9364

Primary Contact: Meagan Lannan
Secondary Contact: Pete Lannan

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 4065701116
    Email: barneycreeklivestock@gmail.com

Secondary Phone
    Type: Cell
    Number: 4066402956
    Email: barneycreeklivestock@gmail.com

    Email: barneycreeklivestock@gmail.com

Website: https://www.barneycreek.com/

Internship information

General Farm Description: Cow/calf Operation. Our whole system is designed around being ecologically and economically profitable. We have come to this place by building our resilience and putting more back into the land and not taking the maximum from it. We always leave enough to regenerate; this is our insurance policy. Our approach begins with building healthy soils and has aligned that with a marketing model that capitalizes on low inputs. Barney Creek works in sync with natural systems, such as the soil, plants, water, and the ecosystem. We decided to stop reacting and killing things and find ways to address resource concerns within our context. Barney Creek Livestock’s grazing operation currently partners with 5 different landowners to graze over 800 acres.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: May
Internship Ends: August
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: April 30
Minimum Length of Stay: 3

Internship Details:

Barney Creek Livestock is seeking a full-season commitment from a hardworking person who is interested in adaptive grazing and regenerative systems management. We are not a “cowboy outfit” and this will not be a vacation. Our grazing operation exists in Montana’s Paradise Valley in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. You will experience and learn many aspects of an adaptive grazing operation on irrigated and dryland acres. 

This opportunity begins in May and wraps up in August or September. Housing and stipend are included. Housing consists of a private tiny house. The intern will receive a monthly stipend of $1000.

Educational Opportunities: The learning experience may include: adaptive grazing plans and moves, setting multiple types of portable electric fencing, hard fence construction (barbed wire, high tensile single wire) Various construction and repair projects, Manual weed management. Will hone observation to determine and inform grazing for soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. Irrigating pasture using K line portable sprinklers, wheel lines, and pivots. Infrastructure planning for animal and land health. Reading soil and plant tissue tests with owners to inform management and potential application of biological amendments. Participate in branding, tagging, banding, and vaccinating.

Skills Desired: This person is expected to commit to the entire duration of the season (May-September) for up to 40 hours per week. (early season might not be a full 40 hours) You will work alongside someone to start, and then will be directed to work alone, and the ideal person would be able to work well in both contexts. You must ask questions, optimize your learning through dialogue and conversation, and not take on tasks until they are fully understood. You will have a keen attention to detail and aptitude. If you do not know how to use basic tools, such as a screwdriver/hammer or be able to change a tire on a car, please do not apply. Please have a commitment to fully complete projects and not leave unfinished work behind. You will be expected to arrive on time yet remain flexible about ranch hours. Oftentimes we have thunderstorms, midday heat, or equipment breaks, so you may have a break in the middle of your work or an adaptation in your plan. You will be able to work outdoors in inclement weather, including and especially heat, with breaks and rest so as not get hurt. You will be expected to communicate directly in team meetings about how your experience is going so that we can identify issues and resolve them. You will be expected to utilize respectful and direct communication methods daily. You will be expected to lift up to 40-50 lbs, hike on uneven terrain, and do repetitive work. Not necessary, but preferred if you have experience driving ATV, manual transmission trucks, and have mechanical knowledge. You will be expected to take an online ATV course before operating one.

Meals: No.

Stipend: Yes, $1000

Housing: Yes, a tiny house. Composting toilet, shower, sink, full size bed or futon, BBQ, hot plate, dorm fridge, microwave, crockpot, internet, TV

Preferred method of Contact: Email