Tillers Intl. Internship

Last Updated On: May 21st, 2026 at 09:29AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
10515 E OP Ave
Scotts, Michigan, 49088

Primary Contact: Shea Hendren
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 269-626-0223
    Email: tillers@tillersinternational.org

Website: https://www.tillersinternational.org

Internship information

General Farm Description: Tillers International is a non-profit working farm and folk school located in Southwest Michigan. We aim to implement a resilient, sustainable agriculture on-site with a focus on draft animal power, in addition to teaching a variety of classes on heritage craft skills—blacksmithing, timber framing, cooperage, and more. We have a long history of international partnerships and strive to share our knowledge with farmers at home and abroad.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: Immediately
Internship Ends: Negotiable
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: n/a
Minimum Length of Stay: 4 Months

Internship Details:

The Position

We are seeking a full-time, on-site intern for 2026. You will assist with the fieldwork, landscaping, animal husbandry, facilities maintenance, and more. You will receive a stipend, a free room (including utilities), on-the-job training, and free classes through our folk school program.

Qualifications

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Farm work can be strenuous and physically taxing. Interns must have the ability to lift at least 75 lbs and to comfortably walk three miles.

A strong work ethic, personal integrity, a positive attitude, and strong communication skills are essential.

Interns must be willing to learn a wide variety of skills including animal handling, hand tool work, and equipment operation.

Intern Responsibilities

Interns may sign on for the warm season (from signup until the end of October), but are encouraged to commit to a full calendar year.

Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week. The details of intern schedules will be worked out with the Farm Coordinator. Occasionally, farm work necessitates work in excess of 40 weekly hours; a flex-time system will be employed to compensate for time overages. Work areas include the following:

Farm and fieldwork, including :

Planting, weeding, and harvesting produce

Cover crop management

Irrigation

Pest Control

Animal husbandry, including:

Feed and water management

Grooming and routine veterinary care

Bedding and manure management

Barn cleaning and organization

Facilities Maintenance, including:

Assisting with plumbing, light carpentry, and assorted building maintenance and improvement

Fence inspection, maintenance, and repair

Assisting with tool and implement maintenance

Timber and Firewood Management, including:

Transporting and stacking firewood

Feeding wood boilers during the cold season, if applicable

At Tillers International, we strive to use animal power to execute as much of the above work as possible. You will be trained to drive oxen, horses, and donkeys and to use them in conjunction with animal-powered implements to do useful work.

In addition to the compensation listed below, interns may be granted access to small plots of land for personal agricultural use, including but not limited to gardening, beekeeping, or animal stewardship.

Please send your resume, cover letter, and three references to tillers@tillersinternational.org. Any questions about the application process or the position may be directed to the same email address, or you may call 269-626-0223.
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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Tillers International is an equal employment opportunity employer. Tillers International will not engage in or tolerate any discrimination in the workplace prohibited by applicable local, state, federal or international laws. It is against Tillers International policy for any employee to engage in discrimination against another employee on the basis of his or her race, religion, gender, pregnancy, age, citizenship, genetics/genetic markers, physical or mental disability, marital status, national origin, amnesty or status as a covered veteran, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law.

Educational Opportunities: Interns will learn a variety of skills as job training, including the driving of draft animals and basic blacksmithing and woodworking. Additionally, interns may take any classes offered by Tillers International at no cost (contingent on the labor needs of the farm).

Skills Desired: Experience with large animal care, draft animal power, agriculture, or traditional handcraft skills is desired, but not necessary.

Meals: Meals are not provided. However, interns do have access to leftovers from class meals, and potlucks are a regular occurrence at Tillers.

Stipend: Yes. Interns receive a $500 monthly food stipend.

Housing: Interns will stay in a private room in the on-site bunkhouse. The bunkhouse also includes a shared kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Access to on-site laundry facilities is also provided. All utilities are paid by Tillers and include fairly fast Wi-Fi in the bunkhouse.

Preferred method of Contact: Email