A Summer of Cattle, Community, and Connection: Inside Caleb Frostestad’s Internship with Grand View Beef

This summer, Caleb served as a Farm Operations Intern with Grand View Beef, getting a firsthand look into every part of Severson’s business. His day-to-day work included beef cattle herd management like branding calves, moving cattle, equipment maintenance, and assisting with construction and on-farm projects. He also helped pack and ship orders, supported farm-to-table dinners, and sold products at farmers markets in Ames and Okoboji on the weekends.

One of the most rewarding parts of the internship for Caleb was helping move the herd to new pastures. “I got to move cattle on horseback, which is obviously something you don’t often get to do in Iowa. It was really rewarding to see the cattle grazing on fresh pasture,” he shared. Caleb admired how intentional Knute & Amanda Severson are in maximizing efficiency through rotational grazing and a well-structured direct-to-consumer business model.

Caleb found this opportunity through the Change Maker Academy in the Start Something CALS program. With guidance from mentors Kevin Kimle, Emma Waterhouse, and Jim Greopper, and through his mentor match with Amanda Severson, he was able to connect with Grand View Beef and apply for the internship.

Biggest Takeaway:
“There are a lot of moving parts in a direct-to-consumer business. As demand increases, things in the business have to change quickly as well. I really look up to the Severson’s for what they’re doing in Iowa’s niche beef market.”

Advice for Students:
“Find an internship that aligns with your interests but also challenges you to learn something new. Focus on the connections you’ll make and the experiences you’ll gain throughout it. 

Caleb recommends programs like Change Maker Academy to other Iowa State CALS students, saying, “It opens the door to so many opportunities, especially if you’re interested in entrepreneurship or hands-on learning experiences.”