Integrated Animal Design

Last Updated On: December 4th, 2025 at 08:53AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
5021 Hideaway Hill Ln
Marshall, Virginia, 20115

Primary Contact: Alana
Secondary Contact: Joseph Davis

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 4237594043
    Email: mamalanabliss@gmail.com

Secondary Phone
    Type: Cell
    Number: 4237594042
    Email: blisshomemn@gmail.com

    Email: blisshomemn@gmail.com

Website:

Internship information

General Farm Description: We’ve recently moved onto a gently rolling 8-acre farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where we are beginning the process of shaping the land into a fully integrated, permaculture-inspired homestead. The property has solid perimeter fencing, two established chicken coops, a young orchard, a fenced garden and raspberries, plus a mix of goats, pet pigs, ducks, chickens, turkeys, and rabbits (which we may phase out). Internal systems are still developing: the goats are temporarily housed in an old chicken coop, pigs are in a small pasture, and much of the interior fencing and animal areas need redesign and repair. The land is full of potential, with foundational structures in place and plenty of room to create thoughtful, regenerative systems as we continue settling in and shaping the next chapter of the farm.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: Feb 2nd, 2026
Internship Ends: Feb 27th, 2026
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: Jan 15th, 2026
Minimum Length of Stay: 4 weeks

Internship Details:

This apprenticeship is an intensive educational experience centered on permaculture design for integrated animal systems. Rather than stepping into routine farm labor, apprentices participate directly in the assessment, design, and implementation of systems for goats, pigs, poultry, and other small livestock on a developing homestead. Under guided instruction, apprentices learn how to read a landscape, evaluate infrastructure, map opportunities and constraints, and create designs that integrate animals, plants, soil, and human use into a cohesive, functional whole.

The program includes 80 hours of structured instruction, covering topics such as site assessment, sector analysis, paddock design, grazing patterns, water and fencing layout, species needs, nutrient flows, and practical strategies for building regenerative systems from the ground up. Apprentices then move from theory into practice—translating their designs into real implementation steps, improving existing structures, and establishing early-stage systems that support long-term resilience.

As part of this integrative approach, apprentices also study animal health and wellness, including behavior observation, recognizing stress or illness, nutrition, enrichment, parasite management, and species-specific care. Instruction additionally includes humane animal processing (as appropriate), whole-animal utilization, and foundational farm-to-table food preparation, emphasizing respect and ecological responsibility.

This apprenticeship includes room and board, providing a grounded, immersive learning environment. Because the homestead is newly established, apprentices have the rare opportunity to engage deeply with the full design cycle: assessment → concept → plan → implementation → reflection. This is an ideal experience for those who want to build skill and confidence not just in managing systems, but in creating them through thoughtful, informed, regenerative design.

Educational Opportunities: This apprenticeship provides hands-on education in permaculture design and integrated animal systems. Apprentices learn how to assess the land, create design plans, and implement their designs for goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, and orchard areas. Instruction includes fencing and paddock design, water systems, grazing patterns, nutrient flows, and how to build resilient systems from the ground up. Education also includes animal health and wellness, recognizing signs of illness or stress, enrichment, and nutrition, as well as humane animal processing and foundational food preparation skills.

Skills Desired: Prior farm experience is welcome but not required. What we are looking for most is a genuine interest in permaculture design, animal systems, and hands-on learning. Apprentices should be comfortable working outdoors, observing animals, participating in system design discussions, and helping implement the designs they create. Basic physical capability, reliability, and good communication are essential. All technical skills—such as site assessment, fencing layout, animal wellness, and processing—will be taught.

Meals: Yes

Stipend: No

Housing: Yes

Preferred method of Contact: text