Research Farm Technician Internship - Summer 2025

Company Overview
At Ralco, we specialize in natural and effective products for farmers and ranchers. Our patented approaches in essential oils, energy maximizing diets and microbial processes are designed to improve the health and productivity of animals and plants alike, covering areas such as health, nutrition and crop management

OUR MISSION:

Steward our God-given gifts to perfect technologies that enhance the vitality of plants and animals for a safe and abundant food supply.

OUR VALUES:

We serve others and help them succeed.
We treat others with dignity and respect.
​We believe in hard work and a commitment to family.
We do what is right.
Job Summary:
As a Research Farm Technician Intern you will be asked to assist in executing laboratory based and corporate innovation studies at a diverse research site. You will be responsible for day-to-day care and management of animals. You may also be asked to prepare and collect samples, perform analytical testing, record data, manage data and results, and maintain laboratory supplies and equipment. Other duties include but are not limited to; ensuring the facilities are clean and stocked, maintenance and calibration of equipment, routine data logs, troubleshooting and resolving problems, and supporting livestock care and handling. This position will also assist with maintenance on a high-value crop trial.

This internship also includes the opportunity to job shadow other areas of the Ralco business that are of interest to the intern. This includes, but is not limited to, Ralco nutritionists, sales team, research & development, finance/accounting, purchasing, marketing, and administrative services.

This person will need to be detail oriented and need to display excellent time management. The Research Farm Technician Intern will need to be acquainted animal facilities and with a lab environment. They will need to be proficient in Microsoft programs such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. 
Key Work duties and Required Skills:

1. As a member of the Innovation Team, you must foster teamwork among all members of the Innovation team, sales and marketing organizations and other Ralco operational and business units and personnel.
2. Possess effective communication skills to clearly convey research findings to your direct manager as well as others within the technical, sales, and marketing team.
3. You will need to have the initiative to work independently, to be self-motivated, and be proactive to ensure tasks are accomplished and moved forward with limited supervision.
4. Time management and multitasking is essential to managing many duties at the same time. As well as flexibility to adjust schedule beyond the normal work hours.
5. Care, handling, and sampling of livestock.
6. This position will be responsible for livestock feeding on weekends, mornings, and evenings on rotation.
7. Assisting with mixing of animal feed and distributing appropriately.
8. Immediately notify the appropriate team members of any issues with the facilities, animals or equipment.
9. Assist with clean up and set up of facilities.
10. Provide support in developing and in tabulating results into tables and graphs to be used in research reports and in presentations.
11. Execution of research protocol start to finish.
12. Execution of sample testing for Swine, Poultry & Ruminant Research, Domestic & International Products, Ingredient testing, quality control testing and any other laboratory requests that come from Ralco employees or customers.
13. Assist with the maintenance of high-value crop trial.
14. Assist in other research projects and other tasks as requested.
15. Be proactive in seeking to understand the needs of Ralco as a whole, as well as continue to work on self-development.

• Education: High school graduate, currently pursuing a degree or certification in Agriculture, Animal Science or a related field.
• Experience: Fundamental laboratory experience as well as chemistry, biology, and animal science knowledge. Comfortable working with cattle and other animals.
• General:  Satisfactorily complete introductory period per company policy.
• Physical:  The following activities are required as needed to perform the job function; lifting up to 50 lbs, driving, bending, climbing, carrying and twisting. Confined space entry is not a required job function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key work duties.
• Location: This position is required to work in a dedicated office space in Marshall or other Ralco Facility
• Working Hours: The duties of this position are conducted beyond the typical office working hours; work schedule will need to be flexible to accommodate when analytical tests are started and finished.
• Travel:  This position requires travel to all Ralco facilities.

Apply online at https://Ralco.ApplyToJob.com. Applications will be due by November 30, 2024.

For more information, contact:

Melissa VanWesten
JKCI Research Farm Supervisor
507-337-6913
[email protected]