Paid Experiences
Paid Experiences
Embedded Files
If you are choosing to pursue a paid internship with one of our partners, please read through the descriptions of each opening below. Please understand that most paid positions will give you the least amount of experience with the organization. If you are a paid employee, it's expected that you report to work and complete all tasks assigned.
Un-Paid Experiences
Un-Paid Experiences
If you are choosing to pursue an un-paid internship with one of our partners, please read through the descriptions of each opening below to determine which you think would be the best fit.
Understand that most un-paid positions will give you the greatest amount of experience with their organization. We hope that your placement will involve rotating through the various divisions of their organization so that you get a broad vision of what it takes for that business to run along with the potential jobs they may have.
Plant Science Institute Experiences
Description: Students should expect the work with multiple forms and modes of communication in this setting. Experience will include; video production, graphic design, photography, marketing, project management, event planning and communications. This experience can be tailored to the the interns specific interest or a rotation can be developed to expose the intern to all aspects of this department.
Description: FoodChain is a local nonprofit whose mission is to forge links between community and fresh food through education and demonstration of sustainable food systems. The internships we provide expose students to our indoor aquaponics farm where they learn the system, help with maintenance, harvesting, and are encouraged to conduct their own research and other projects that further explore this form of sustainable agriculture. Students can also be exposed to our kitchen processing where they will learn more about the local food system and our efforts to reduce food waste through grocery store rescue, purchasing and processing of seconds and surplus, and instructing hands-on food literacy classes.
Description: Pemberton's Greenhouses is a 6th generation family owned business in Lexington, KY that produces annual, seasonal, tropical and perennial plants. We are looking for a self-motivated, quick learner who wants to know more about the horticulture industry. An unpaid intern will gain exposure to a broad array of tropical, bedding, seasonal and perennial plants. The student will learn plant identification and propagation, pest identification and management, and how to match plants to customer needs.
Description:
Fall-
Maintaining ½ Acre Organic Garden (weeding, harvesting, and fall plantings)
Feeding and watering livestock (horses, goats, llamas, donkeys, chickens, and farm dogs)
Egg collection, coop cleaning, and bedding management
Cleaning stalls, pens, and animal areas
Fence checks and general pasture maintenance (Water bucks, Hay, and Bedding)
Assisting in Kitchen and CSA orders
Running and assisting guest with flower U-Pick
Positive interactions with Castle guests while on property
Winter-
Daily feeding and watering of horses, goats, llamas, donkeys, chickens, and dogs
Stall cleaning, coop maintenance, and bedding management
Monitoring overall animal health and reporting concerns
Equipment cleaning and maintenance
Seed inventory and greenhouse preparation
Light garden maintenance as needed
Expansion project planning
Spring-
Seed starting, transplanting, bed preparation, and planting
Irrigation setup and monitoring
Assisting with animal turnout and pasture rotation
Continued daily livestock and poultry care (feeding, cleaning, health checks, egg collection, Birthing (Goats)
Supporting guest engagement and farm tours (as needed)
Implementation of expansion projects if approved
Summer- (If Student and Supervisor want to continue Employment)
Daily harvesting and post-harvest handling
Kitchen and CSA Orders
Succession planting and weed management
Irrigation management
Continued livestock and poultry care
Assisting with agritourism activities and guest interaction (Lav Fest and Goat Yoga)
Assisting in Middle School Summer Program
Description: Intern will be in charge of maintaining the following: Greenhouse, Gardens, Raised Beds, Possible Bee Work, Labs, Greenhouse Sales. Dependable, Trustworthy, Greenhouse knowledge preferred, some basic equipment operation knowledge preferred.
Animal Science Institute Experiences
Animal Studies - Equine Studies - Food Science Studies - Pre-Veterinary Science Studies
Description: PetVet365 is a small animal fear free veterinary clinic that provides a unique experience for your animal allowing for a low stress, and low anxiety environment. Our unpaid interns should be enthusiastic, self- motivated, self starters, and willing to jump in at any time to help. You will be given an assortment of task such as, restraining, wrapping surgical packs, drawing up vaccines, calculating doses, filling medications, monitoring anesthesia, and so much more.
Description: The Secretariat Center Work-Study Co-Op welcomes high school equivalent students to explore a career in the equine industry through daily hands-on work experience. Students will have the opportunity to take part in daily equine farm care alongside our experienced professionals. Students will learn all that is involved in a Thoroughbred’s care as he/she transitions from the racetrack to a new career in an adoptive home. Candidates should have an interest in exploring one or more of the following topics: equine feeding and handling, grooming and fitness, understanding standards of care for horses or farm maintenance, and upkeep. No prior experience with horses is necessary, however, willingness to learn is a must!
An ideal candidate would be self-motivated, eager to learn, respectful of all safety precautions, able to adapt to change, timely, and have a positive attitude.
NOTE: There will be NO RIDING in this internship, it will strictly be working horses on the ground.
Description: Intern will complete farm and livestock chores at Locust Trace. Applicants should possess the ability to drive or learn to drive various farm equipment.
Description: The Lexington Humane Society (LHS) is a non-profit organization. Among other things, LHS is the largest pet adoption agency in Central Kentucky. We educate the community on responsible pet care and the compassionate treatment of all animals, and we spay/neuter the pets of qualifying families at a low cost. Simply stated, we Give Love, Teach Love, and Adopt Love. LHS seeks enthusiastic, hard working, compassionate candidates for internship opportunities that assist departments including Animal Care, Foster Care, and Adoptions. Interns assist with animal enrichment, basic animal care, administrative assignments, and facility maintenance. Additional opportunities are available based on each student's engagement and strengths.
Candidates must be team players who are positive and dependable. They must be comfortable taking direction, demonstrating follow through, and handling animals safely and compassionately.
Description: This internship offers students hands-on experience in a real clinical environment while learning the daily operations of a veterinary practice. Interns assist with preparing exam rooms, restocking supplies, supporting veterinarians during appointments, and helping care for animals to keep them comfortable and stress-free. Participants also observe exams and surgeries, gaining valuable insight into veterinary medicine and exploring potential career paths in animal care.
Description:
This hands-on internship provides year-round experience in sustainable farming, livestock care, gardening, and agritourism operations. Interns assist with maintaining a ½-acre organic garden through planting, harvesting, and seasonal upkeep while supporting daily care of horses, goats, llamas, donkeys, chickens, and farm dogs. Responsibilities include feeding and watering animals, stall and coop cleaning, egg collection, pasture and fence maintenance, and monitoring animal health.
Interns also gain experience in CSA and kitchen operations, greenhouse preparation, seed starting, irrigation management, and farm expansion projects. Opportunities include assisting with guest engagement, farm tours, U-Pick flower events, agritourism activities, and youth programming. Summer continuation may include harvesting, succession planting, and support of seasonal farm events and educational programs.
Students should expect the work with multiple forms and modes of communication in this setting. Experience will include; video production, graphic design, photography, marketing, project management, event planning and communications. This experience can be tailored to the the interns specific interest or a rotation can be developed to expose the intern to all aspects of this department.
Description: Across all divisions, students will be expected to participate and assist in all day to day farm operations. The daily operations of a large sport horse facility are an exemplary opportunity for students to learn new techniques and protocols to maximize efficiency.
Daily tasks students are expected to engage in includes but is not limited to, grooming, basic horse care, stall cleaning, watering, feeding and assisting with farrier. In addition to these tasks students are given the chance to attend weekly skills labs, industry exploration days, volunteering and supplemental learning opportunities.
Description: This hands-on internship provides experience in therapeutic riding program operations and daily equine care. Interns assist with feeding, grooming, stall cleaning, hoof care, and horse conditioning through groundwork and riding. Participants are trained to serve as side handlers during lessons to support rider safety and engagement. Interns also ride horses regularly for conditioning, mock lessons, confidence-building, and under-saddle training rides while gaining practical skills in horse management and therapeutic program support.
Description: Students interning with us can expect to gain experience with small animal general practice, including wellness and sick visits for both canine and feline patients, as well as observation of surgical procedures.
Required jobs will include: Taking pictures of students in all 3 levels, taking videos of students completing skills in all 3 levels, creating marketing materials from pictures & videos, creating a video about the skills students learn in each level, helping to facilitate learning inside the classroom & barn, creating materials for student use (copies, stapling, etc.), Tidying up barn before leaving each day. Also providing daily care of horses, as needed and working with all equine instructors to help make their lives easier.
If desired, the intern may create & teach lessons, video demonstration of skills to use in class, act as barn manager during classes in the barn, put out hay into paddocks when needed, and check weather to see if horses need to stay inside during bad weather.
Applicants should possess the following essential skills:
Ability to work with ALL students
Time management skills
Able to teach students
Description: A student in a paid internship should be able to work independently on a list of tasks that I have provided. This may include, but not limited to, checking the dog park (when finished) for any damage, holes, or repairs, picking poop in dog park and surrounding areas around the vet assistant labs, doing laundry, organizing bathing stations, scheduling grooming clients, bathing grooming clients, returning grooming clients with check out sheet, and cleaning/maintaining a tidy lab area. Other situations might include helping in lab if the class size is large. This would involve the student providing feedback to students in that course and helping with the skills they are currently learning.
It would be preferable if they were a completer of all three levels of the program, but at least the first two (currently enrolled in level 3). They should have received a good score on their skills to be able to provide feedback in lab if they are working as a lab aid. Communication skills are key, as this student would be working with the vet clinic to schedule grooming clients.
Environmental Science & Natural Resources Institute Experiences
Description: Duties would include, Water quality assessments, cleaning fish tanks, moving fish, working with several different types of fish, processing fish, assisting with small tanks in classroom and harmony system, maintaining plants for the systems. Additionally for the wildlife classes we will periodically raise quail. Duties would also include care, handling and feeding of quail.
Description:
Fall-
Maintaining ½ Acre Organic Garden (weeding, harvesting, and fall plantings)
Feeding and watering livestock (horses, goats, llamas, donkeys, chickens, and farm dogs)
Egg collection, coop cleaning, and bedding management
Cleaning stalls, pens, and animal areas
Fence checks and general pasture maintenance (Water bucks, Hay, and Bedding)
Assisting in Kitchen and CSA orders
Running and assisting guest with flower U-Pick
Positive interactions with Castle guests while on property
Winter-
Daily feeding and watering of horses, goats, llamas, donkeys, chickens, and dogs
Stall cleaning, coop maintenance, and bedding management
Monitoring overall animal health and reporting concerns
Equipment cleaning and maintenance
Seed inventory and greenhouse preparation
Light garden maintenance as needed
Expansion project planning
Spring-
Seed starting, transplanting, bed preparation, and planting
Irrigation setup and monitoring
Assisting with animal turnout and pasture rotation
Continued daily livestock and poultry care (feeding, cleaning, health checks, egg collection, Birthing (Goats)
Supporting guest engagement and farm tours (as needed)
Implementation of expansion projects if approved
Summer- (If Student and Supervisor want to continue Employment)
Daily harvesting and post-harvest handling
Kitchen and CSA Orders
Succession planting and weed management
Irrigation management
Continued livestock and poultry care
Assisting with agritourism activities and guest interaction (Lav Fest and Goat Yoga)
Assisting in Middle School Summer Program
Description: FoodChain is a local nonprofit whose mission is to forge links between community and fresh food through education and demonstration of sustainable food systems. The internships we provide expose students to our indoor aquaponics farm where they learn the system, help with maintenance, harvesting, and are encouraged to conduct their own research and other projects that further explore this form of sustainable agriculture. Students can also be exposed to our kitchen processing where they will learn more about the local food system and our efforts to reduce food waste through grocery store rescue, purchasing and processing of seconds and surplus, and instructing hands-on food literacy classes.
Students should expect the work with multiple forms and modes of communication in this setting. Experience will include; video production, graphic design, photography, marketing, project management, event planning and communications. This experience can be tailored to the the interns specific interest or a rotation can be developed to expose the intern to all aspects of this department.
Ag. Engineering Institute Experiences
Description: This internship is for someone who wants to further their understanding and knowledge in Agriculture and Lawn Equipment repair. The intern will likely start in the parts department.
Agricultural Education Experiences
Description:
Program Delivery Intern
Do you enjoy working with kids, leading activities, or helping organize events? As a Program Delivery Intern with Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road, you will help deliver engaging programs in schools and after-school clubs for girls in Pre-K through middle school. Using Girl Scout lesson plans and structured learning guidelines, interns help lead hands-on activities that build confidence, teamwork, and leadership in younger girls.
Office & Administration Intern
If you like organizing, planning, or working behind the scenes, an Office Intern role at our Lexington office offers a great start. Administrative interns support event preparation, registration tracking, communication with volunteers, and day-to-day office operations. Through this experience, students learn how a nonprofit organization functions behind the scenes while developing professional skills in organization, technology, communication, and customer service. This role aligns well with interests in business administration, nonprofit management, marketing, communications, and event management.
Click HERE for more information
Description: Jessie Clark is a middle school in Fayette County that has an agriculture program that teaches 7th and 8th grade students. Students may help with grading, lesson planning, teaching and labs.
Applicants should possess the following essential skills: multi-tasking, public speaking, and organizational skills.
Description: Beaumont is a middle school in Fayette County that has an agriculture program that teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Students may help with grading, lesson planning, teaching and labs.
Applicants should possess the following essential skills: multi-tasking, public speaking, and organizational skills.
Description: Leestown Middle School is a middle school in Fayette county that has an agriculture program that teaches 7th and 8th grade students. Students may help with grading, lesson planning, teaching and labs.
Applicants should possess the following essential skills: multi-tasking, public speaking, and organizational skills.
Description: Winburn Middle School is a middle school in Fayette county that has an agriculture program that teaches 7th and 8th grade students. Students may help with grading, lesson planning, teaching and labs.
Applicants should possess the following essential skills: multi-tasking, public speaking, and organizational skills.
Description: Duties of our intern will vary depending on the weather. When able, our intern will typically be working outside, helping with the maintenance of our garden spaces or helping with outdoor student projects. When weather isn't favorable to be outsite, our inter will assist with making copies, organizing shelves/closets, refilling cleaning supplies, doing inventory of supplies, among other tasks.
Disclaimer- Must be an alumnus of Providence Montessori Middle School.
Mary e Britton Middle school
Mary e Britton Middle school
Description: MEB Middle School is a middle school in Fayette county that has an agriculture program that teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Students may help with grading, lesson planning, teaching and labs.
Applicants should possess the following essential skills: multi-tasking, public speaking, and organizational skills.
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