A New Season Begins: Welcoming the 2025 Sandhills Ranch Interns

Boots are on the ground, and the 2025 Ranch Internships are officially underway! Earlier this week, we welcomed this year's interns during our Intern Orientation meeting in Mullen, NE - a gathering that sets the tone for the summer ahead. These young men and women come from various backgrounds across the United States, united by a shared passion: the desire to learn, gain new skills and experiences, and meet new people.

Over the next three months, these interns will live and work on ranches throughout the Nebraska Sandhills. Each ranch offers a unique environment and provides valuable, hands-on experiences in livestock care, grazing and rangeland management, and the daily life of ranching.

Orientation began with introductions. And after learning about the Sandhills Task Force, various topics were covered, including safety briefings, communication and conflict resolution, networking, and co-creating learning experiences. Several resources were also provided to the interns. A guest speaker shared valuable insights from her journey, transitioning from intern to mentor and now a college educator, offering tips from various perspectives. The interns participated in a panel discussion with three former Sandhills Ranch interns, who shared their tips and advice for a successful summer. The event concluded with bowling and provided ample time for networking and getting to know fellow interns.

The Sandhills Ranch Internships are paid, summer-long, and include room and board and the interns have the opportunity to attend an educational workshop of their choosing. This internship offers more than just technical skills; it focuses on personal growth, confidence building, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the stewardship of land, livestock, and community. Interns will leave inspired to carry the values of responsible stewardship into whatever future they pursue.

If you spot these interns in your community, take a moment to say hello and introduce yourself. Your welcoming support and small gestures are invaluable and greatly appreciated, whether it is advice on where to eat, community events, or just a friendly chat.

Stay tuned throughout the summer as we share stories, lessons learned, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of life on a sandhills ranch. Here's to a great summer ahead - boots on the ground, hearts ready to learn, and many unforgettable experiences. Welcome to the Sandhills!

Front Row, Left to Right:

Emaleigh Towner (DeSoto, KS) William’s & Martin Ranch, Justin Beck (Pampa, TX) Downing Ranch, Nick Maynard (Mendon, IL) Seidler Ranch, Beth Lamp (Goose Lake, IA) Plum Thicket Farms, Adrianna Underwood (Bemidji, MN) Apache Ranch, Hannah Stephenson (Meridian, MS) Shadbolt Home Ranch, Brigid Cronk (Wolf Creek, MT) Maddux Cattle Co.

Back Row left to right:

Carson Batterton (Scott City, KS) Wellnitz Ranch, Reed McFadden (Purdum, NE) Tim Vinton Ranch, Nate Kaup (West Point, NE) Connealy Angus, Liz Bohlken (Wymore, NE) Nielson Ranch Co., Koen Helmuth (Watford City, ND) Downing Ranch, Kelsey Howard (O’Neill, NE) Nielson Ranch Co., Tanner Ward (Fort Stockton, TX) Shadbolt Home Ranch, Lane Painter (Norman, OK) Haythorn Land & Cattle.

To read more about the Sandhills Ranch Internship Program, visit www.sandhillstaskforce.org/ranch-internship.

If you have any questions or want more information, contact kylee@sandhillstaskforce.org or call/text 308-340-2781.