Education & Outreach

About the Program:

I have been fortunate to have many mentors throughout my veterinary career and foundational years of livestock farming. Their guidance helped me successfully complete vet school, succeed in emergency/critical care residencies, become a board certified critical care specialist and own/operate Chubb E. Acres Farm. I’m humbled that now I can pay back that kindness and help educate the next generation of farmers and veterinarians.

Chubb E. Acres Farm is located in Northville, Michigan and each year we offer a rewarding summer internship that provides students with hands-on experience caring for livestock. While farmwork is highly variable, and many days are flexible, the need to feed animals twice daily remains constant; rain or shine, come hell or high water, 24/7- 365. Therefore, our interns would need to be available at least one of those time periods. Students looking for small ruminant/large animal experience for pre-veterinary will be prioritized. 

We raise ADGA/AGS/NDGA registered Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats, alpacas, heritage ducks, and chickens. We also have several privately owned horses on our property (please note that horseback riding will not be part of our internship program). Our farm is a certified naturally grown farm and environmentally verified through the MAEAP (Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program). Interns will have the opportunity to assist with all aspects of the farm including feeding, breeding, milking, hatching, general health care and assisting with births. Construction of our new goat barn will begin in winter of 2022, so this year’s interns will also have the unique opportunity to assist in the layout and construction of pens and work spaces. 

As a working farm, a lot of what we do is cleaning, feeding & caring for the animals, which can be very physical and in all weather conditions. While there is always work to do on various aspects, we are able to tailor the internship based on student interests to some extent. No experience necessary, however a can-do attitude, independent nature, strong work ethic, and reliability are a must. Reliable transportation (must live within reason distance of the farm to commit to this internship for the summer), ability to lift 50 lbs, proof of health insurance and COVID-19 vaccination required. 

General learning opportunities (varies):

• Dairy goats: ADGA performance programs (monthly milk testing, DNA testing, linear appraisal day), hand milking, machine milking, safe milk handling and mastitis prevention, nutrition, lactation, birthing/kidding, castrations, clipping goats for show & comfort, hoof trimming, breeding/heat detection, FAMACHA, deworming, health care, genetic selection, socialization and showmanship training.

• Alpacas: Daily care, conformation, feeding, socialization, physical examination, hoof care, FAMACHA scoring, deworming and general nutrition/feed care compared to dairy goats.

• Horses: General physical examination, hoof care, vaccination protocols, drawing blood, nutrition, proper grooming, and animal handling.

• Poultry (ducks/chickens): Conformation/physical exams & safe handling, egg sanitation/ safety guidelines, egg sales and marketing, nutrition, how to safely clip wings, trimming nails, and humane euthanasia techniques.

• General Farm: Land management, soil sampling, frost seeding and pasture management, irrigation, mobile electric fencing for pasture rotation, fruit trees, vegetable garden, & apiary management.

Thank You for your interest in our internship program! If you’ve read to the bottom of this page and you’re still interested please click on the link to fill out our google template https://forms.gle/tGNYRhxhR3tQVTPj7 AND submit your resume to chubbeacresfarm@gmail.com

We look forward to having you as part of our farm family : )

Melissa