IAA Internship Stories: Austin Weinreich

November 10, 2015

Imagine filling your days with tasks you are tremendously passionate about, and being able to call it work. That’s exactly how Austin Weinreich, an Agricultural Business Management major at the Institute of Applied Agriculture, spent his summer; gaining new skills and knowledge while doing what he loves. Weinreich completed his internship at Amazing Grace Equestrian Center, his family’s equine boarding facility in Parkton, Maryland. While interning, Weinreich assisted with managing the farm by maintaining pastures, fences, and machinery, as well as caring for the boarders’ horses.

Although Weinreich has been employed at the equestrian center since 2013, this summer he focused on building his management skill set. He made a point to concentrate on improving his communication skills and patience when dealing with clients who are boarding horses at the center. 

While he focused primarily on communication skills, he admits that his favorite jobs included working with animals and machinery. Weinreich is being groomed to move into management once he graduates from the IAA, and having more responsibilities this summer made him realize the importance of “working smarter; not harder,” in order to complete all daily chores and still have time to interact and with the boarding clients at the facility.

Weinreich’s mother, who owns and manages Amazing Grace Equestrian Center, acknowledged the important role Weinreich plays on the farm, stating that “we couldn’t get by without him.” Given Weinreich’s central role in the future of the family farm, he says his course work at the IAA will be put to good use; he looks forward to many years of waking up to a job he loves.