LEARN APDAPTIVE GRAZING, GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE. IMPROVE THE SOIL.
Pure Grass Farm LLC farms on over 110 acres in scenic Botetourt County, Virginia, just 5.6 miles from the Appalachian Trail and only a 25 minute drive to the thriving downtown area of Roanoke, Virginia. The city of Roanoke with a population of around 100,000 is renowned for a thriving art, music, and local food scene. The Roanoke area boasts scenic mountain views, many hiking trails, parks, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. The farm team is dedicated to holistic regenerative agriculture through rotational grazing and intensive management. As of 2024, our inaugural growing season, we raised South Poll beef cattle exclusively on pasture. In 2025 operations have expanded to multi-species grazing with new enterprises being introduced including lamb and pastured egg production. We are highly dedicated to improving the soil, landscape, and farm infrastructure while producing the highest quality food the land can support.
With hands-on real world experience throughout a growing season, learn the details of how we work with livestock to heal the land.
We rely on thoughtful observation on a daily basis to best manage our pasture moves for both animal health and greater diversity and soil quality over time. The landscape of the farm has diverse and hilly terrain with many different soil and pasture qualities based on topography. As you observe grazing across these different areas and see how the grass and other forage species recover, you will be better equipped to evaluate future farm properties for suitability in grazing.
You will learn the hows and whys of our current grazing management system and also have an opportunity, through your own observations, to be a part of adapting our grazing plan through the growing season.
You will learn the short history on how a full year of intense observation of the landscape and animal interaction has brought us to the farm layout and grazing plan as it is today. Farm ownership and management have past grass-based farm and homesteading experience, construction and mechanical experience, and years of technical work experience in the agriculture sector. These experiences of our current team are now being brought to bear on an exceptionally beautiful farm that was operated as a conventional beef cattle operation for many decades. Through hands-on regenerative practices, cutting edge technology, and active ongoing farm planning you will see the early stages of converting this landscape into a regenerative based operation. We are seeking applicants who are especially hard working, curious, communicative, and want to “get into the weeds” learning all things regenerative.
We are looking only for those able to maintain a positive attitude in the midst of hard work and hot summer days.
During the 2025 season, interns will have a unique opportunity to learn basic construction and mechanical skills critical to cost effective operation of a farm. This includes basic carpentry skills and the opportunity to be a part of our “rainy day” equipment maintenance program for the many pieces of farm machinery and equipment.
We are proud early adopters and innovators in technology solutions for agriculture.
Pure Grass Farm LLC has a focus on using the latest technology to improve farm efficiency!** We use the latest in livestock scales, livestock data software, virtual fence, cell phone connected fence systems, soil testing, forage testing, and other data collection to help advance our work in regenerating the land.
Interns will have an opportunity to use and become familiar with these cutting edge technology solutions.
AG Prototyping Projects
We will be developing and constructing onsite a prototype mobile chicken coop with integrated remote monitoring. **Not a requirement, but if you have educational or work experience in micro-controllers, robotics, PLCs, embedded programing, please let us know in your application!
Holistic Farm Planning
Last year, 2024, we worked around the existing old farm infrastructure to observe why permanent farm infrastructure elements are located where they are (permanent fences, access roads, barns, ponds etc.) After our first full season of working our beef cattle across the land, close observation has provided insight into old farm infrastructure placement. We have observed areas become soggy for a few months during winter and seasonal spring flows popping up limiting tractor access. Some pastures are better for stock piling forage or protecting cattle during winter wind.
We now have a conceptual working plan that includes adjustments to laneways, planned paddocks, permanent fence lines, and waterline placement.
This year 2025, we are testing this infrastructure plan with the addition of both sheep and mobile coop laying hen operations. This will be another year of mostly above ground water systems supplying these two new enterprises using the same primary access and water routes used for our beef operation. For some areas of the farm, future infrastructure plans are now clear with few logical alternatives, so 2025 will see phasing in installation of permanent water systems and new permanent fencing in specific areas across the 100 plus acres. This is a good fit for those interested in permaculture design and/or holistic farm design.
The real-world, hands-on experience interns will have with us in 2025 will likely prove valuable for a future in farming either through securing future employment in the agriculture sector or in starting your own farm business!
What we require of an intern:
Must be a U.S. Citizen who is 18 years old by start of internship
Commitment to the entire season
Physical Fitness for Manual labor (e.g. regular lifting of 50 lb feed and mineral sacks)
Ability to interact with team members, customers, and visitors in a professional manner.
Comfortable working as a part of a team or independently. Curiosity, willingness to learn, serious interest in future career in agriculture.
Willing to follow directions & ask questions to clarify that instructions are understood
Ambitious/self-starter
Ability to complete tasks and work days without being distracted by (cell phone, texting, etc.)
Willing to work flexible schedule as needed including some weekends and holidays (weekends and holidays typically are reduced hours)
Comfortable driving (or learning to drive) ATVs and UTVs
No smoking or vaping on farm property or in shared housing
No illegal drugs
Must have own your own vehicle for transportation. (Housing is nearby 5-6 minute drive)
Not required, but a plus:
Basic mechanical and/or construction skills Comfortable driving (or learning to drive) tractors and other equipment.
What we provide to interns:
Stipend: $1,250/month + Housing and Utilities, plus an additional bonus upon completion of the season (through November 30). Housing: Individual bedroom (not shared), and access to full kitchen and bath, washer/dryer, heating, WiFi. All utilities included.
EDUCATION, WORK ETHIC, EXPERIENCE, FITNESS.
ONLY SERIOUS FUTURE REGENERATIVE FARMERS SHOULD APPLY.
IF THAT IS YOU, FILL OUT THE CONTACT FORM(S) BELOW.
WE WILL BE IN TOUCH ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE BELOW WITH FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.
THANK YOU!
Chad Chenier Operations Manager Pure Grass Farm LLC
