That's a wrap! Sandhills Ranch Internships Conclude with a Final Gathering.
- kylee926
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
As the summer comes to a close, so does the 2025 season of the Sandhills Ranch Internships. Over the past three months, 13 interns have been working on ranches across the Sandhills, side by side with experienced ranchers, engaging in the daily activities of ranch life. From early mornings moving herds and working cattle to branding season, long days spent putting up hay, and mending fences, the summer was filled with challenges, growth, and many learning moments.
To celebrate the conclusion of the internship season, interns, mentors, and members of the Sandhills Task Force gathered for a special wrap-up event that combined learning, reflection, and celebration. Hosted by the Downing Ranch, the afternoon began with a tour led by Tim, Bonnie, and Brett Downing. As the group traveled through the pastures, they stopped at key locations to observe the ranch's grassland ecosystem and infrastructure. This provided the interns with a firsthand view of cross-fencing and water systems designed to accommodate high-intensity grazing. This practice has improved their carrying capacity and the grasses in their pastures. The Downing's, who believe in learning new concepts to meet their goals and are "all about the cattle", shared their history, the journey they have been on, and their future goals as ranchers and land stewards.
The tour continued into the Nebraska National Forest, providing everyone with an opportunity to appreciate the variations in terrain and landscape while discussing the connections between grasses, trees, wildlife, and livestock. The tour served as an excellent conclusion to a summer dedicated to ranching, offering a valuable learning experience.
After the ranch tour, everyone gathered at the Community Building in Halsey for the recap meeting and dinner. Sitting in a circle, everyone shared their highs, their lows, and their most memorable moments. One intern shared, "I came here not knowing for sure what to expect, but I'm leaving with skills and memories that I'll have for the rest of my life. Another intern stated, "This summer gave me confidence, and I know that I want to pursue a career in ranching." The room was filled with stories from the summer.
Along with the stories, there was a discussion about what could be improved for future seasons. Topics included the interviewing process, the orientation and training for interns, and the addition of a mid-season gathering. Collecting feedback and recommendations is essential to ensuring that the program continues to evolve and provide meaningful opportunities for both interns and mentors.
What started with "boots on the ground" in May ended with new connections, improved skills, and a deeper understanding of ranch life in the Sandhills. For many interns, this experience was about more than just gaining knowledge and skills in ranching; it was about putting into practice fundamental values such as responsibility, resilience, and care for the land and livestock, which are essential both in ranching and in their communities.
As this internship season comes to a close, we would like to extend our gratitude to the interns for their dedication and hard work, to the ranch families for welcoming them into their homes and sharing their ranch operations, and to the communities that have embraced them. Here's to the next generation of ranchers and agricultural leaders rising from experiences like these.
For more information on the Sandhills Task Force Ranch Internship and to learn how you can participate either as a mentor or an intern, visit the Ranch Internship Page!
If you would like to support the Ranch Internship Program, check out our Donation Page!