Job Description
Position Summary:
As a Feed Mill Operations Intern, you will be employed by Land O'Lakes, Inc. and placed with a participating Purina Animal Nutrition dealer or cooperative. You will work alongside feed mill managers, operations staff, and the Purina team to gain hands-on experience in feed manufacturing, mill operations, and quality assurance, with exposure to select sales-focused projects.
Interns will receive training through Purina Animal Nutrition, and the working location is dependent on dealer/co-op assignment.
Internship Duration:
May - August 2026 (flexible start and end dates)
Feed Mill/Operation Locations May Include:
Rock Valley, IA
Internship Duties:
FEED MILL OPERATIONS & PRODUCTION
Support daily feed manufacturing processes, including batching, mixing, and bagging of feed products. Assist with equipment maintenance, repairs, and troubleshooting under supervision. Participate in inventory management, including receiving shipments, verifying quantities, and monitoring stock levels.
QUALITY ASSURANCE & COMPLIANCE
Learn and apply feed safety protocols, including HACCP and FSMA compliance. Assist with product traceability, recordkeeping, and regulatory documentation. Support quality control checks to ensure product specifications are met.
SAFETY & MAINTENANCE
Observe and help implement safety procedures for equipment and facility operations. Participate in scheduled maintenance and cleaning of mill equipment and facilities.
OPERATIONS SUPPORT & TEAMWORK
Collaborate with mill staff to optimize workflow and efficiency. Attend department meetings and contribute to operational planning. Shadow supervisors to learn about leadership, team management, and cooperative policies.
SALES PROJECTS
Support select sales initiatives, such as assisting with customer service, order management, or participating in dealer events. Gain exposure to the sales cycle and customer engagement as opportunities arise.
Program Structure & Support:
Interns are Land O'Lakes employees and receive training, mentorship, and support from Purina Animal Nutrition experts. Placement is determined by participating dealer/co-op locations. Interns spend majority of their time on feed mill operations, with structured projects designed to support business growth and develop operational skills.
Competencies and Qualifications:
Pursuing a bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Agriculture, Agribusiness, Engineering, or related field (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior status preferred).
Demonstrated leadership in school, academic, or industry-related clubs.
Ability to lift 50 lbs. and work in mill/farm environments.
Valid, unrestricted driver's license and satisfactory driving record.
Must be able to live within commuting range of assigned dealer/co-op location.
Preferences:
Understanding of feed manufacturing, mill operations, and safety practices.
Previous experience in operations, manufacturing, or customer-facing roles preferred.
Strong communication, organization, and critical thinking abilities.
Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and implement projects independently.
Collaborative mindset with openness to feedback and learning.
Adaptability to changing business environments and operational needs.
Compensation: $15-18/hr
About Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.
Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).
Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.
Neither Land O'Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.
Position Summary:
As a Feed Mill Operations Intern, you will be employed by Land O'Lakes, Inc. and placed with a participating Purina Animal Nutrition dealer or cooperative. You will work alongside feed mill managers, operations staff, and the Purina team to gain hands-on experience in feed manufacturing, mill operations, and quality assurance, with exposure to select sales-focused projects.
Interns will receive training through Purina Animal Nutrition, and the working location is dependent on dealer/co-op assignment.
Internship Duration:
May - August 2026 (flexible start and end dates)
Feed Mill/Operation Locations May Include:
Rock Valley, IA
Internship Duties:
FEED MILL OPERATIONS & PRODUCTION
Support daily feed manufacturing processes, including batching, mixing, and bagging of feed products. Assist with equipment maintenance, repairs, and troubleshooting under supervision. Participate in inventory management, including receiving shipments, verifying quantities, and monitoring stock levels.
QUALITY ASSURANCE & COMPLIANCE
Learn and apply feed safety protocols, including HACCP and FSMA compliance. Assist with product traceability, recordkeeping, and regulatory documentation. Support quality control checks to ensure product specifications are met.
SAFETY & MAINTENANCE
Observe and help implement safety procedures for equipment and facility operations. Participate in scheduled maintenance and cleaning of mill equipment and facilities.
OPERATIONS SUPPORT & TEAMWORK
Collaborate with mill staff to optimize workflow and efficiency. Attend department meetings and contribute to operational planning. Shadow supervisors to learn about leadership, team management, and cooperative policies.
SALES PROJECTS
Support select sales initiatives, such as assisting with customer service, order management, or participating in dealer events. Gain exposure to the sales cycle and customer engagement as opportunities arise.
Program Structure & Support:
Interns are Land O'Lakes employees and receive training, mentorship, and support from Purina Animal Nutrition experts. Placement is determined by participating dealer/co-op locations. Interns spend majority of their time on feed mill operations, with structured projects designed to support business growth and develop operational skills.
Competencies and Qualifications:
Pursuing a bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Agriculture, Agribusiness, Engineering, or related field (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior status preferred).
Demonstrated leadership in school, academic, or industry-related clubs.
Ability to lift 50 lbs. and work in mill/farm environments.
Valid, unrestricted driver's license and satisfactory driving record.
Must be able to live within commuting range of assigned dealer/co-op location.
Preferences:
Understanding of feed manufacturing, mill operations, and safety practices.
Previous experience in operations, manufacturing, or customer-facing roles preferred.
Strong communication, organization, and critical thinking abilities.
Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and implement projects independently.
Collaborative mindset with openness to feedback and learning.
Adaptability to changing business environments and operational needs.
Compensation: $15-18/hr
About Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.
Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).
Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.
Neither Land O'Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.
About Land O'Lakes
A career at Land O’Lakes means working at the heart of the dynamic agriculture and food industries—and helping to solve some of the world’s greatest food challenges. If you know us as “the butter company,” you may be surprised to discover that we’re behind many trusted brands, including Purina®, WinField™ United, Kozy Shack®, Vermont Creamery®, and Philia™, among others. We’re #232 on the Fortune 500 list, with 8,000+ employees doing business in all 50 U.S. states and 50 countries around the world.
From crop inputs that grow into the grain that animals eat, to a final product on a store shelf, Land O’Lakes has a farmer-to-fork view. Pair this with our farmer ownership, and we're uniquely qualified to fulfill our purpose of Feeding Human Progress around the world, while always delivering on our responsibility to our owners. Just as we’ve been doing for nearly 100 years.
Explore a career with Land O’Lakes, and discover why Forbes, Indeed, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and many others have placed us on their best places to work lists.
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