The feathered frontier: Interning as chicken docents
ACBS students, (l-r) Trevor Deffenbaugh, Nick Gallo, and Neferti Gonzalez working as Chicken Docents with Tucson Village Farm.
Kathy Broneck
Chicken Docent, Nick Gallo (back left), doing Bee Wiggles for the students to show how bees move when they pollinate.
Internships are not just for the birds, they can play a pivotal role in career development by providing hands-on experience and industry insight. They also facilitate valuable networking opportunities and help students build a professional portfolio, making them more competitive in the job market and when applying to graduate and veterinary schools. In fact, 84% of ACBS students recently surveyed expressed strong interest in internship opportunities. However, securing internships in animal and veterinary sciences can be challenging. That’s why local organizations like Tucson Village Farm, which welcomes undergraduate ACBS students as interns, make a significant difference.
This fall, five undergraduates in Animal Sciences and Veterinary Science interned as Chicken Docents with Tucson Village Farm. This vibrant facility offers numerous field trips for K-12 students, serving over 5,000 visitors each year. With an on-site chicken coop and plans to expand by adding more animals like sheep and goats, the farm provides a dynamic environment for learning.
As Chicken Docents, the interns underwent training before managing the chicken station and delivering engaging presentations to students. Their talks cover a range of topics including chicken anatomy, nutrition, health, and animal welfare. Through these experiences, the interns develop essential skills in animal handling, communication, and time management. They not only inspire and educate young visitors but also engage with them by addressing questions and fostering a love for farming and animals.
While the role comes with its challenges, such as ensuring the safety of both the animals and the visitors, there is a great sense of fulfillment in witnessing the positive impact of their efforts. Seeing excited attendees develop a newfound appreciation for agriculture and animal care is incredibly rewarding.
Interning at Tucson Village Farm offers a rich, immersive experience that is going beyond theoretical and classroom knowledge. It offers practical skills, professional insights, and a deep appreciation for the complexities of chicken and animal management. For those interested in agriculture, animal science, or food production, interning with chickens can be a rewarding and educational endeavor.
The experience has proven beneficial not only for the interns but also for the Tucson community and the farm itself. It is truly exciting to those who explored this feathered frontier and the future possibilities it has unlocked for the interns, community, youth, and Tucson Village Farm. Tucson Village Farm is committed to continuing these internship opportunities for ACBS students in the future, further fostering growth and learning, which is a win-win for all involved.
Interactions with the Tucson Village Farm chickens help visitors develop a newfound appreciation for agriculture and animal care.