Who we are: Peaceful Pastures is a direct market, all natural, grass fed, meat business producing and selling beef, lamb, goat, pork, duck and goose located an hour east of Nashville, in Hickman, Tennessee.  All of the species are free ranging in our 300 acre scenic valley.  In addition, we maintain and manage 400 cow/calf pairs (both registered and commercial.)  Peaceful Pastures also offers farm tours.  Tours are conducted twice weekly and have been well received, especially by school groups.  The scope, size and diversity of our operation allows us to offer outstanding internship opportunities in several areas, yet being a small family run business provides one on one learning, coaching and evaluation.

Agricultural Science

Internship: This hands on internship targets animal science, pre-vet, agriculture and beef science students, but is open to all agricultural disciplines.  Agricultural economics and agricultural business students will benefit from our retail and wholesale enterprises as well.

We attempt to tailor each internship to the needs and interest of the individual.  Pre-vet students enjoy the option of volunteering one day each week with the local vet to expand their professional experience.

During this internship, the motivated student will receive: understanding of low stress livestock handling; rotational grazing principles; BQA (Beef Quality Assurance) certification; intimate knowledge of what goes into putting a quality product on the retail store shelf;  heat detection skills; value of secure fencing; assessment and treatment of common livestock ailments; small business management; pasture improvement technologies; agricultural based GPS uses; livestock water development practices; safe and responsible tractor operation; and basic mechanical skills.

Requirements of job to be filled: A willing, helpful, “can do” attitude; reasonable expectations as to what the internship entails; and the physical capacity to do the job. Applicants must posses an open mind for working with various species of animals and have strong communication skills, both written and oral, including excellent grammar for interacting with our customers. A valid driver’s license is required, along with reliable transportation. Candidates must be self-motivated and able to work independently at a brisk pace with minimal supervision.  If hired, students must commit to a full semester (12 weeks minimum).  Preferential hiring is given to students taking the internship for academic credit.  Select applicants will be invited to the farm for a working interview (required).

Our setting is strictly drug, alcohol and tobacco free. Employees must meet and follow a dress code while at work. Interns are expected to begin work the week following finals and must show proof of medical insurance.

Compensation: Hourly wage, subsidized housing, at least one meal per shift and free pasture and board for one (1) horse or the opportunity to inexpensively lease a horse.

Equine Internship

Internship: A college student majoring in an equine related field; must be willing to devote themselves for the term of the internship to natural horsemanship. The student will be expected to put in 50 hours/week and should be physically fit and capable of doing the job.  The student should have a confident, independent seat and quiet, steady hands. Applicants must also have the emotional fitness necessary to work with both unstarted and green horses outside of an arena. The rider should be at ease on trail rides and riding alone. The intern will be responsible for the exercise and daily care of 10-12 horses.

Note: This is primarily a riding position- no stall cleaning, no showing and no lessons to give. Applicants should be willing to spend at least 25 hours per week on horseback..

Strong communication skills are necessary, both written and oral. A valid driver’s license is required, along with reliable transportation. Candidates must be self-motivated and able to work independently at a brisk pace with minimal supervision. Our setting is strictly drug, alcohol and tobacco free. Employees must meet and follow a dress code while at work

Educational Benefits: At the end of this internship, the individual will have experienced a summer immersed in riding (unstarted, green, seasoned, and retired horses) and ground work, using natural horsemanship. In addition, the student will audit local clinics taught by a Parelli Natural Horse-Man-Ship certified instructor.  Prior to completion of this internship a 1000 word essay or equal project is to be submitted.

Compensation: Includes housing, free board for one horse and a weekly stipend. Salary and housing will be elaborated upon during the working interview. At least one meal per shift is provided along with milk, eggs, meat and garden produce. 

Term: In order to be eligible for the internship, students must commit to a full semester, 14 weeks of work, minimum. (This requirement is non-negotiable.)  Interns are expected to begin work the week following finals, work through the weekend before classes resume and must show proof of medical insurance

Application: Contact Jenny or Darrin Drake for further information and/or a written application. Select students will be invited to the farm for a working & riding interview.

Application : In addition to the written application, the student must submit a video or DVD, no longer than 20 minutes in length that shows the following:

Horse A (under saddle with bridle or hackamore-may be the student’s own horse, in an open pasture or large outdoor arena)      Mount the horse from both sides
Walk, trot, canter both directions
Figure 8’s at the trot and canter (with simple, drop to trot lead changes)

Horse B (bareback, on a loose rein, can be in a round pen-borrowed or school horse)
Walk, trot, canter both directions
Show at least 4 trot-canter, canter-trot transitions
Finally, trailer load (either of the horses) into a 2 horse or slant load.

Throughout the video, horses should be freely moving out; no western jog or short loping please. You will not be evaluated based upon show ring equitation!
Deadline for all written applications & videos is March 10^th.

Horticulture Internship

Internship: This broad internship has four main components:

Planting, cultivating and harvesting a ¼ acre vegetable garden. This varied garden supplies not only for our household, but for our summer interns as well. The student will be responsible for designing, planting, cultivating and harvest.

Design and maintenance of landscaping around the farm and three out buildings. These are the structures first visible to the public. Currently there is no aesthetic appeal to these areas and a creative student will employ imagination and practicality while beautifying.

Mowing and weed eating areas open to the public. This includes the above mentioned areas as well as the walking and animal visitation segments of the farm tours.

Conducting farm tours. Our farm is now open to the public and has been well received by both our customers and school groups. The 45-60 minute tours focus on farm animals, farm history and rural lifestyle.

Requirements of job to be filled: A horticulture student physically fit and capable of repeatedly lifting and carrying 50 pounds and able to safely operate a weed eater, lawn mower, and garden tiller with a willing, helpful, “can do” attitude. Applicants must posses an open mind for all aspects of farm life and have strong communication skills, both written and oral, including excellent grammar for interacting with our customers. A valid driver’s license is required, along with reliable transportation. Candidates must be self-motivated and able to work independently at a brisk pace with minimal supervision.

If hired, students must commit to a full semester (12 weeks minimum).  Preferential hiring is given to students taking the internship for academic credit.  Selected applicants will be invited to the farm for a working interview (required).

Our setting is strictly drug, alcohol and tobacco free. Employees must meet a basic dress code while at work. Interns are expected to begin work the week following finals and must show proof of medical insurance.

Compensation: Hourly wage, subsidized housing, at least one meal per shift and free pasture and board for one (1) horse or the opportunity to inexpensively lease a horse.

Community life and surroundings: Located in the scenic Cumberland Plateau of the Tennessee Smokey Mountains. There are numerous church denominations within 20 miles. Five colleges are located within an hour. Boating, fishing and swimming are available in local rivers and 2 large, man-made lakes. Nashville, Music City USA, is less than an hour away.

Please Note: In order to be eligible for the internship, students must commit to a full semester, 12 weeks of work, minimum. (This requirement is non-negotiable.) With the internship, we offer $6.50 -7.00/hour salary, meals while you work, and we may provide subsidized housing and utilities (except for phone). Interns are expected to begin work the week following finals and must show proof of medical insurance.

Application: Contact Jenny or Darrin Drake for further information, an initial interview and/or application. A working interview at the farm is required.

Summer 2007 Interns:  See what our 2007 summer interns Krista and Brittny did during a typical day here at Peaceful Pastures.   Krista's June Paper, Krista's August Paper and Brittny's Typical Day on the Farm.  They both had a very enjoyable summer here.  They learned the ups and downs of farm life and lived to tell there story :o)  Their papers' really help give us "city folk" an idea what really goes on at a working farm!