Enhancing grassland ecosystems while sustaining private, profitable ranching
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
sandhills ranch
The Sandhills Ranch Internship Program offers a valuable opportunity for individuals interested in ranching, livestock production, and range management to connect with experienced ranchers for a quality internship.
Launched by the Sandhills Task Force in 2023, this program aims to provide a rewarding experience for both interns and ranch mentors. By partnering with dedicated ranchers, the internship offers unique, hands-on experience in livestock care, grazing and rangeland management, and the everyday life of ranching.
Interns will receive practical training in ranching and ranch management. The experience they gain will be invaluable, allowing them to apply their knowledge and observe firsthand the daily responsibilities of running a ranch. Additionally, interns will develop transferable skills such as communication and teamwork.
Our mentors are committed stewards of the land, value their livestock, and take pride in teaching. They work diligently to help interns acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in agriculture. The Internship Program is open to all individuals, including students, non-students, and veterans, aged 19 years or older.
The Sandhills Task Force will serve as a facilitator to assist in matching interns with ranchers and will support the internship relationship in several ways, but ultimately, the internship is a relationship between the intern and the host ranch. Partial funding to support this program comes from a Nebraska Environmental Trust and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Click here to learn more about the Nebraska Environmental Trust and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Application & Questions
Applications will open for the 2026 summer season on November 1st, 2025.
Questions can be directed to KyLee Kime at kylee@sandhillstaskforce.org
or by calling/texting 308-340-2781.
2025 Interns
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.
Past Interns
This unique internship opportunity, which began in 2023, has attracted some outstanding interns who have made valuable contributions to the Sandhills community and on the ranches where they were placed.
COORDINATOR
meet our
KyLee Kime
KyLee comes from rural southwest Nebraska, where her passion for animal health and agriculture developed through riding and showing horses, as well as participating in 4-H and FFA. She earned her degree in Veterinary Technology from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture before moving to the Sandhills to work as a large animal technician. After the practice closed, she relocated to McCook, where she pursued a degree in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting while continuing to work as a veterinary technician. During this time, she also worked for Nebraska Bull Service and served as a bookkeeper for Pettera Enterprises LLC for 12 years. In 2012, she returned to the Sandhills and resides in the Gordon area with her husband, Mike, and their two sons. KyLee values spending time with her family and enjoys the outdoors. She appreciates the remarkable qualities of the Sandhills, as well as the ranchers and communities that thrive in this region. In 2022, she joined the Sandhills Task Force, an organization she has long admired, and she is eager to help contribute to its mission and goals.
LOCATIONS
internship
DETAILS
internship
Internship
The Sandhills Ranch internship is a three-month, summer-long internship beginning May 15th and ending August 15th, with a select Ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills. Some operations will have multiple people offering mentorship.
Orientation
Interns will attend an in-person group orientation on May 15th before beginning the Internship. Each intern will receive a job description for their host ranch.
Evaluation
Interns will review skills with their mentor two times during the Internship. One on the first day and one on the last day of the Internship.
Education and Ranch Visits
Interns will have the opportunity to attend select workshops and participate in various ranch tours.
Compensation
The internship is designed to be a hands-on, working, and learning experience, offering high-quality training and experience. The greatest benefit to an Intern is the opportunity to be completely involved in the daily labor and operation of their host operation. Other compensation includes:
-
Stipend: Interns receive monthly pay as employees of their host ranch. The amount will be an estimated $2,100/month and will be listed in the contract.
-
Housing: Mentors provide Intern housing on or near the ranch. Housing will include utilities, as well as cooking and bathing facilities. Interns are expected to provide their own telephone and telephone service. Interns are expected to keep living spaces clean at all times.
-
Food: While Interns can expect to have some food provided by their host ranch, they must clarify details related to food with their host ranch upon accepting the internship position. Some mentors will provide shared meals or possibly additional food stipends. Interns may be expected to participate in food preparation and clean-up for shared meals.
-
Days Off: Interns will be given a minimum of one day off per week.
prospective
MENTORS
Mentor Qualifications
• Be located within the Sandhills of Nebraska and a full-time rancher.
• Have five years in operation and previous experience supervising ranch staff or trainees.
• Maintain ranching practices prioritizing healthy Sandhills ecosystems and providing a high quality of life for people and animals.
• Want to teach and provide a well-rounded internship experience.
• Have the time and capacity to instruct and give meaningful feedback.
• Ability to provide adequate, safe intern housing, and partial board.
• Do not currently provide internship positions.
Mentors are required to attend a mentor training meeting and will help coordinate site visits during the internship.
If you have any questions, please email KyLee Kime. Call or text 308-340-2781.