Intern & Residency at Shepherd's Cross & Heart of the Shepherd

Intern & Residency - Apprentice Program at Shepherd’s Cross

Shepherd’s Cross Internship & Residency ProgramSince 2009, Shepherd’s Cross has welcomed approximately 100 interns into a hands-on, educational agricultural experience. The program is administered by Heart of the Shepherd, the nonprofit operating at Shepherd’s Cross Farm. Its purpose is to equip participants with foundational farming skills while grounding their learning in Biblical principles related to agriculture, shepherding, ranching, and fiber arts.

Program Purpose: The program’s overarching goal is to cultivate:

Awareness of basic agriculture
Practical agricultural skills
Understanding of agricultural parables found throughout Scripture
Appreciation for historical agriculture alongside modern, industrialized practices
Participants learn basic homesteading skills

Interns learn through an apprenticeship-style model: observing the shepherd, practicing alongside the shepherd, and eventually performing tasks independently.

Life on the Farm: Shepherd’s Cross is primarily a sheep farm with several hundred sheep, but it is also home to Dexter cattle, horses, donkeys, chickens, a goat, llama, alpaca, livestock guardian dogs, and barn cats. Interns participate in a wide variety of farm and ministry activities, including:

Hay, pecan, and walnut harvest
Wool mill operations
Shearing school
Fiber arts
Farm museum and educational silo
Farm store operations
Retreats and classes
Bible Garden cultivation
Veterinary outreach events
Mission shop operations

Leadership: The Internship Program is directed by Dr. Diane Dickinson, an agriculturalist with a Bachelor’s in Agriculture, a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, and more than six decades of farm and livestock experience. Following her lead ensures a rich harvest of knowledge each day.

A licensed veterinarian lives onsite, providing daily animal care and offering interns additional learning opportunities.

Internship Focus Areas: Internships and residencies may emphasize one of the following tracks:

Livestock; Sheep & Shepherding Internship: Focus on shepherding, especially during the busy spring lambing and shearing season. Interns learn the meaning of Psalm 23 firsthand while caring for the pasture-raised flock, giving shepherding tours, and working in the Farm Animal Barn.
Bible Gardening Internship: Learn sustainable, natural gardening practices, assist with Bible Garden tours, and support garden-related educational activities in the Farm Museum.
Wool Mill Internship: Training in “green” wool processing—washing, carding, spinning, weaving, and more. Interns also give Wool Mill tours and help with fiber-related museum displays.
Farm Museum Internship: Gain experience managing an agricultural museum with indoor and outdoor exhibits. Interns assist with museum upgrades, guide tours, and explore the connections between agriculture and Scripture.
Missions & Mission Shop Internship: Support the International Mission Shop onsite and online. Learn to share the stories of nations and their needs while helping maintain both physical and digital mission gift shops.
General Farm Internship: A broad experience covering all focus areas, ideal for participants seeking flexibility and a comprehensive understanding of farm life.

Intern Testimonials: Past interns have shared meaningful reflections:

“My internship led me to teach sheep management in Sierra Leone and later conduct research on sheep marketing. I’m now a college professor studying livestock markets. I’m grateful for my ongoing partnership with Shepherd’s Cross.”
“My greatest takeaway was the relationships formed. I still visit and bring my son.”
“I gained confidence, agricultural knowledge, and spiritual strength. I use what I learned to help others.”
“I recommend this internship to anyone exploring agriculture or wanting a supportive away-from-home experience.”
“I learned practical skills in animal husbandry and gardening, but even more importantly, I grew in perseverance, spiritual awareness, and understanding of Biblical shepherding.”

Application Process

Submit an application and résumé (if available)
Reference checks
Personal interview (virtual or onsite)
Background check

Internship Timing: Internships last one semester:

Spring: January – May
Summer: May – mid-August or early September
Fall: Early September – December

Interns may be full-time or part-time, living onsite or offsite. Onsite interns must be at least 18 years old; there is no maximum age.
Seasonal Highlights

Spring: Lambing, shearing, haying
Summer: Bible Garden harvest, lamb weaning, summer grazing
Fall: Pumpkin Festival, Living Nativity, pecan and walnut harvest, haying

Additional Program Information

Experience is helpful but not required.
Compensation may include room, board, and a performance-based stipend.
All interns participate in farm maintenance, special events, mission outreach, and farm tours.
Flexibility is essential—every day brings new tasks and learning opportunities.
High school or college credit may be available.
Interns have come from across the U.S. and internationally.
Many graduates have joined the Shepherd’s Cross and Heart of the Shepherd team.

Residency Program: After completing an internship, participants may apply for the Residency Program. Residents spend a full calendar year on the farm, experiencing every season’s agricultural cycle. Residency may begin immediately or at a later date, offering a deeper understanding of seedtime, harvest, and their Biblical significance.

For more information, visit Shepherd’s Cross, speak with Dr. Dickinson, call, or email.

Print Application for Interns & Residents

Internship & Resident Online Application Here

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Intern & Resident Training & Guidelines

Mission House Lodging

Intern & Resident Guidelines

"​God gave. . . the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." Eph. 4:11

Internship & Resident Online Application Here

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God gave. . . the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." Eph. 4:11