SUNY Morrisville and summer internship expands dairy student’s experiences

It was feeding time at the SUNY Morrisville livestock barn and Ophelia didn't hesitate to let dairy student Rosie Hines know she wanted her attention.

Poking her head through a stall, the cheerful goat let out a buoyant bleat, begging for a pat on the head before nibbling from a pile of grain.

Ophelia, a Nubian yearling, is among seven dairy goats Hines is caring for during her summer internship at the SUNY Morrisville Groves Livestock Barn, along with a flock of chickens.

She splits some of that time feeding and milking cows at the college's Arnold R. Fisher Dairy complex, too.

Three other interns are also helping out: Carrianne Bush, Mathew Wilson and Alexis Sherwood.

"We are thrilled to have our summer interns helping at the dairy and with caring for the livestock," said Jon Mills, herd manager.

Hines didn't think twice when she was approached about a summer internship at the college.

"It's something I am passionate about and I wanted to be here to help out. This also offers a leadership guidance role for me," said the Candor resident who has been raising and showing goats since she was 10.

Her day starts feeding goats - giving them hay and grain in the livestock barn, then moves to the dairy complex twice a week. She's also learning about registering them

Every experience is giving Hines new industry tools and tips to run her business, Moonlit Farm, where she breeds, raises and shows registered dairy and Boer goats. The family farm also raises and shows Texel sheep.

"Through this experience and my degree, I hope to learn more about the business side to make it more profitable," she said.

"Rosie is a hard-working, talented individual who has brought her experience and interest in dairy goats to enhance the livestock program," Mills said.

Galloping around Hines as she was tidying up the barn was a white Saanen doeling named Polly.

"The fun thing about goats is they each have their own personality," she said.

Hines, who chose SUNY Morrisville because of its hands-on learning, has embraced other opportunities including joining the college's Livestock Club.

Faculty, who are experts in their fields, are enriching Hines' academic experience even more.

"Faculty have a lot of experience and knowledge and are open to ideas and exploring other people's interests," she said. "They have been great about everything."