Jumping between rows in the field and rows in Excel, my summer was a bit abnormal. This summer, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in two internships that deepened my understanding of agricultural leadership and communication, core pillars of my academic journey at the Institute of Applied Agriculture. These experiences enhanced my professional skills but also reinforced my commitment to driving meaningful change in agricultural education and policy.
My first internship was on the hay, corn, and soy farm that I've been working at since my freshman year of high school, six years ago now. This summer, I was given more responsibility than ever before. I handled the delivery of over 20,000 bales of hay to one of our largest accounts. I also did most of the groundwork this summer, preparing our fields for soy planting and chemical application ahead of our second cuttings.
My second internship was with the Maryland Farm Bureau as a project coordinator intern. This position truly broadened my horizons and supplemented my academic education in ways that I couldn't have expected. I was able to attend MDFB board meetings, the Maryland FFA association’s state convention, the Maryland Commodity Classic, and even a board meeting of the Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology.
Both of these internships broadened my understanding of different sectors of the ag. industry, and it prepared me for both my academic and professional futures, while keeping my long term goal to become a strong advocate for better public knowledge of agriculture. I saw firsthand how effective communication can influence policy and create a fire in communities. As I continue my education in Agricultural Leadership and Communication, I’m more motivated than ever to refine my academic voice and use it to promote/advocate for better ag. education, more sustainable practices and stronger community ties to agriculture.
Looking ahead, I plan to build on these experiences by getting more internships and becoming more involved in campus leadership posistions. I’m grateful to the mentors and organizations who invested in my growth this summer, and I’m excited to bring this new found knowledge back onto campus as I dive into my position on Ag council and within my fraternity.
