Herd & Creamery Assistant – North Country Creamery

Last Updated On: December 29th, 2025 at 10:29AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
931 Mace Chasm Rd
Keeseville, New York, 12944

Primary Contact: Ashlee
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 5186452697
    Email: info@northcountrycreamery.com

Website: https://www.northcountrycreamery.com/

Internship information

General Farm Description: North Country Creamery is a 120-acre first-generation farm entering its 13th year of production, dedicated to sustainable, small-scale dairy. Our herd is 100% grass-fed and rotationally grazed, and we are beginning to implement climate-resilient farming practices. We produce a diverse range of products including four flavors of creamline yogurt and approximately eight cheeses, from soft-ripened to natural rind. We also sell raw milk and other local foods through our farm store, supporting our local food community.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 2/1/26
Internship Ends: no end
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: 1/15/26
Minimum Length of Stay: No limit, ideally a long term job if it's the right fit

Internship Details:

North Country Creamery is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented individual to join our team in a combined herd and creamery role. This position offers a variety of hands-on tasks with both our milking herd and our farmstead creamery.

Hours: 30–40 hours per week

Pay: starting $16.50/hour, increases with proficiency and tenure at creamery

Schedule: Sundays and Mondays off

Work Breakdown:

• 2 days/week milking and other herd-related duties
• 1–2 days/week as cheese make–day assistant
• 0.5–1 day/week general creamery tasks and projects

Herd Responsibilities

Milking:

• Milk herd 2 mornings per week (Tues & Wed), starting around 8:30 AM
• Follow established SOPs for milking procedure and herd health protocols
• Communicate herd updates with the team

Milk Bottling:

• Bottle milk on Wednesdays after milking (approx. 2 hours)

Seasonal & General Tasks:

• Assist with rotational grazing: setting paddocks, fixing fence and water lines (Tues–Sat in summer; can set up several days in advance)
• Possible tractor work (pasture clipping, winter chores, feeding hay, etc.)
• Assist with various projects (building/maintenance/repair tasks as needed)

Creamery Responsibilities

Cheese Make–Day Assistant (Typically Thursdays, and potentially Saturdays)

• Follow and sign SOPs, GMPs, and SSOPs as part of training
• Work closely with the cheesemaker and respond to needs throughout the make day

Primary Tasks:

• Assist with lifting vat lid (starting ~10–11 AM)
• Bring down cheese molds from storage room as needed
• Set up outside area for whey transfer
• Help “hoop” cheeses (filling molds with curd)
• Assist with cleanup and replacing vat lids
• Wash COP tank/vat
• Complete last rotation/flip if using cheese press

Secondary Tasks:

• Restock dairy products in the farm store (record in log)
• Label cheese bags
• Fill yogurt cup bins
• Wash dishes
• Weekly/monthly cleaning
• Package curds (as needed)
• Flip Camembert (as needed)
• Finish boxing yogurt (as needed)

Other Creamery Tasks

• Assist with cutting and packaging cheese
• Assist with weekly/monthly deep cleaning tasks
• Tend cheese cave

Educational Opportunities: We are a mentor farm with Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship so we can offer access to their classes; we have also paid conference fees for employees to attend dairy farming and processing workshops in the past!

Skills Desired: Qualifications Strong attention to detail, cleanliness, and sanitation Willingness to learn, take initiative, and ask questions Clear communication with team members and owners (in person meetings and via WhatsApp) Ability to follow written SOPs and protocols

Meals: Not regularly, but some fun dinners and social opportunities!

Stipend: Yes, $16.50/hour with increases over time. Job benefits include 20% off all food in the farm store, free access to “extras” on the crew shelf, and participation in a SIMPLE IRA with up to a 3% employer match (up to a $600 non-taxable bonus per year). As the farm grows, there may also be opportunities for long-term team members to take part in future ownership or partnership pathways, supporting shared stewardship, collaboration, and a deeper connection to the work and community we serve.

Housing: No but we would try to find leads locally!

Preferred method of Contact: Email