Tillers International Intern

Last Updated On: May 7th, 2026 at 07:38PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
10515 East OP Avenue
Scotts, Michigan, 49088

Primary Contact: Shea Hendren
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 2696260223
    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: Spring 2026
Internship Ends: Negotiable
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Minimum Length of Stay: 6 months

Internship Details:

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 

• A valid U.S. driver’s license is required.  

• 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 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. 

• Previous experience with agriculture or large animal care is preferred, but not required. 

Intern Responsibilities 

Interns may sign on for the warm season (April-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 : 

• • Field preparation 

• • 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: 

• • Landscaping duties, including the use of mowers, string trimmers, and chainsaws 

• • 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: 

• • Felling, limbing, and bucking trees 

• • 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.

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In addition to the stipend, housing, and educational compensation listed below, you will be allowed access to small plots of land for personal agricultural use, including (but not limited to) gardening, beekeeping, and 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. 

 

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: Intern will be able to take any of the classes offered at Tillers International at no charge. Occasionally, the farm's labor needs may have to take priority over classes, but effort will be made for the intern to take the classes that they are interested in.

Skills Desired: As noted above, agricultural experience is preferred, but not required. A strong interest in and passion for sustainable farming and appropriate technology will serve applicants well.

Meals: No, though staff members often bake bread for the team and the intern will be welcome to any leftovers from class lunches.

Stipend: We offer a $500/month food stipend to defray grocery expenses.

Housing: Intern will be provided with a private room in the Tillers bunkhouse, free of charge. This includes access to shared kitchen, bathroom, and living areas in the bunkhouse. All utilities are paid, including good-quality WiFi in the bunkhouse. Access to the laundry machines in the guesthouse is also provided.

Preferred method of Contact: Email or Phone