Introducing Our First Intern!

Some things just feel right from the very first conversation.

When Dylan Ruger reached out to us about an internship, we weren't just impressed by his background — we were moved by his why. He told us he's drawn to farming because it lets him be close to nature, work with his hands, and watch things grow, knowing that the effort he puts in "directly contributes to life around you." That's not a job description. That's a calling. And it resonates deeply with those of us who are already here on this land.

We are thrilled — genuinely thrilled — to welcome Dylan as Wild Type Ranch's very first farm intern.

Dylan, Brian and Justin on Dylan's exploratory visit to the farm

Who Is Dylan?

Dylan grew up Spring Hill, Kansas, visiting his grandpa’s farm in in Fenton, Iowa where he now lives full time. For the past few years he's been getting his hands dirty helping his family launch their first pastured pig operation, managing a beehive and harvesting honey, milking cows, rotating cattle, helping with haying, and tending a family garden.

He's also an FFA kid, through and through — earning state, chapter, and Greenhand degrees, winning awards and showing sheep and swine in 4-H. He’s gone out of his way to gain practical experience through a Dairy Grazing internship to help him be a better grazier.

Dylan found us through the Working Cows podcast featuring our farm He knew immediately this was somewhere he wanted to be. His father had also worked with Brian through Understanding Ag consulting on their family farm — which gave Dylan additional confidence that this was a community built on integrity and expertise. We love that story. It's exactly the kind of trust that makes this farm community real.

Why Dylan Fits Wild Type Ranch

Our mission — healthy soil, nutritious food, balanced living, an engaged community — isn't just language on a website. It's the filter through which we make every decision on this farm. When Dylan told us his passions are ecologically produced food and food that genuinely improves people's health, we knew he wasn't just checking boxes. He lives these values.

His favorite animal to work with? Sheep. He showed market lambs in 4-H, has family members who raise them, and speaks about them with the quiet affection that only comes from real time spent in the pasture. Considering we're significantly expanding our sheep operation this season, that feels like fate.

And for fun? He gardens. Grows things from seed to harvest just because he loves it. This is perfect, because we are putting in a “family” garden and a trial-size market garden this year!

What's Next

Dylan's goal is to learn the production and business skills behind a regenerative pasture-based livestock business — and eventually launch one of his own. We're honored to be part of that journey. Day to day, you'll find him rotating sheep and cattle in the pastures, tending to hogs in the woods, and moving broilers. We will expose him to all aspects of the business, from management to marketing, to finding balance;  the dozens of decisions experienced farmers make before breakfast.

If you see Dylan at our farmers markets this season in Mount Horeb, Monroe, New Glarus, or Monona, please say hello. Tell him what brings you to the market. Tell him why you care about where your food comes from. We have a feeling you'll find you have a lot in common.

Welcome to the Wild Type Ranch family, Dylan. We're so glad you're here!

With gratitude and muddy boots, The Wild Type Ranch Family