Ranch Intern

Last Updated On: May 7th, 2026 at 07:37PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
300 Seabiscuit Dr
Willits, California, 95490

Primary Contact: Ruthie King
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 7078411588
    Email: ruthfking@gmail.com

Website: https://www.headwatersgrazing.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Headwaters Grazing is a multi faceted operation including grazing services, grass finished lamb and beef, wool products such as yarn, roving, and sheepskins, and the occasional workshop or event hosting. The flock is made up of Icelandic sheep who are protected by their guardian donkey, moving with intention throughout a variety of Mendocino County’s diverse ecosystems. We are based out of Ridgewood Ranch and operated by the Golden Rule Church Association where we collaborate closely with New Agrarian Collective, School of Adaptive Agriculture, and Golden Rule Gardens.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: March, 2023
Internship Ends: November, 2023
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: 28-Feb
Minimum Length of Stay: 6 months

Internship Details:

Headwaters Grazing is seeking a full season commitment from a person who is interested in an immersion in community life and ranching. This operation exists in a unique, values driven, intergenerational community in Mendocino County where you will get to experience and learn many aspects of grass based livestock work on 5,000 acres. The ranch is host to numerous other projects including biodynamic farms, a therapeutic riding program, housing development, education, and more.

This opportunity begins in March and runs through November. Housing, food, and stipend are included, in addition to an intentional and structured learning experience. Housing includes a private room in a shared house with 1-2 other people in similar arrangements with other projects on the ranch. Food is provided at the community dining hall where homegrown meals are served several times per week and high end staples can be brought back to the shared kitchen. A monthly stipend of $500 is included for additional expenses.

Educational Opportunities: The learning experience can be modified to meet the needs of the individual based on interests, but may include: Rotational grazing patterns with sheep and cattle, building and deconstructing multiple types of portable electric fencing Identifying, judging, and learning to use grazing impact on the land to meet goals like soil health, biodiversity, weed control Increasing health of pastures and oak woodlands with seeding, planting, spreading compost, and other carbon farming techniques Slaughtering and butchering beef and lamb Making value added products from animals including hides, sausage, and a variety of fiber products Irrigating pasture using K line portable sprinklers Veterinary care and managing for optimum animal health using minimum intervention Lambing and calving support including branding, tagging, vaccinating, castrating Marketing and sales of animal products at local markets and online

Skills Desired: This person is expected to commit to the entire duration of the season (March-November) for 40 hours per week. You will most often be working alongside someone but will sometimes be directed to work alone, and the ideal person would be able to work well in both contexts. You will ask questions, optimizing your learning through dialogue and conversation, and not taking on tasks until they are fully understood You will have a keen attention to detail, opting to fully complete projects and not leave unfinished work behind You will be expected to arrive on time yet remain flexible about when the hours may be, for example in the summer the heat pushes our work to early mornings and late afternoons/evenings with a long break in the middle of the day You will be able to work outdoors in inclement weather, including and especially high heat, with a healthy relationship to breaks and rest so as not to burn out or get hurt You will be expected to communicate directly in weekly check ins about how your experience is going so that we can detect problems and correct them early on, as well as daily utilizing respectful and direct communication methods You will sometimes be expected to lift up to 40 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

Meals: Yes, meals in the community dining hall are served several times per week and full access to the high end ingredients stocked in the dining hall are available

Stipend: Yes, $500/month

Housing: Yes, a room in the Garden House with 1-2 other interns

Preferred method of Contact: email