NorthStar Cooperative continues to build its Internship Programs welcoming Caelah Doerr, Kelly Raterink, Mikayla Hanrahan and Tyler Lahusky as its 2016 summer interns. NorthStar interns work closely with NorthStar’s A.I. technicians, DHI specialists, sales representatives and laboratory specialists gaining practical experience in various career areas within the dairy and beef industries.

“Working side-by-side with NorthStar employees enables students to gain valuable insight into the diverse careers, accessible not only within NorthStar, but across the dairy industry,” said Bridgette Voisinet, Director of Organizational Development. “Students develop an appreciation for the wide range of operations and management styles, as well as the importance of service, and working to enhance producer profitability in numerous capacities.”

Owosso, Michigan native, Doerr joins NorthStar as the 2016 Food Systems Fellowship Intern through Michigan State University (MSU). During her internship, Doerr will be assisting on a Bovine Leukosis Virus project, conducting PCR assays for the NorthStar Michigan Laboratory and working with DHI field staff. Doerr is a first year veterinary student at MSU where she is president of the MSU CVM Food Animal Club as well as a member of the MSU CVM Theriogenology Club.

Raterink and Hanrahan’s internship experience will be spent working with NorthStar’s field staff. Much of their time will be spent working alongside NorthStar’s DHI and AI Specialists and Sales Representatives providing service for all aspects of the Cooperative.

Raterink is a third year animal science major from MSU who hails from an 85-head Holstein dairy in Zeeland, Michigan. Growing up, Raterink participated in many dairy related activities including 4-H, MSU Dairy Days, dairy judging and showmanship. She is staying involved in the dairy industry during her collegiate years as a member of the Michigan Junior Holstein Association and a member of the MSU Dairy Club.

University of Wisconsin – River Falls (UWRF) dairy science major, Hanrahan is a Kewaunee, Wisconsin native, who developed an interest in the dairy industry at a young age. She is currently a member of many agricultural organizations including Wisconsin Farm Bureau, UWRF Dairy Club and is president of her collegiate Farm Bureau committee.

Second year biosystems and agricultural engineering major, Lahusky is NorthStar’s laboratory engineering intern. Lahusky will spend the summer working to create a functional design to automate the laboratory’s current milk vial preparation system. Lahusky became interested in the agricultural industry in 2010 when he began working at Crandall Dairy Farms, LLC a 310-head Holstein dairy in his home town of Battle Creek, Michigan.

To learn more about NorthStar internships, visit www.northstarcooperative.com/internships/. Applications for the 2017 NorthStar summer internship opportunities are due December 1, 2016.