Shaping the Future of Ag Policy in D.C.

Two Agricultural Economics students spent Summer 2024 in Washington, D.C. as participants in the College of Agriculture Public Policy Washington, D.C. Summer Internship Program! This program has been sending students to D.C. since 2005 and has partnered with numerous organizations across the city, enabling students with an interest in agriculture policy to have real-world experiences!

The application process takes place each fall and requires students to submit a resume, cover letter, and two letters of recommendation. A small group of faculty and staff select a group of applicants for in-person interviews, and interns are announced before the end of the fall semester. They must attend a professional development workshop during the spring semester and then spend 8 to 10 weeks in Washington, D.C. the following summer!

Nicholas Neuman (Junior; Agricultural Economics with a Policy and Pre-Law Concentration; Rushville, IN) interned with the U.S. Department of State as an Economics and Business Affairs Intern. He shared, "My time at the U.S. Department of State truly opened my eyes to the role that economic tools play in foreign policy, a field in which I've become increasingly interested in. Additionally, I had the privilege to be a Council of American Ambassadors Annenberg Fellow. In the Fellowship, I attended foreign policy class and met with previous U.S. Ambassadors to supplement the real-world experience that I was gaining at the State Department."

Kourtney Otte (Senior; Agricultural Economics with a Policy and Pre-Law Concentration; Seymour, IN) interned with the U.S. House of Representatives. Otte stated, "While a summer in D.C. is a short period of time, the amount of personal and professional growth the opportunity allowed each student to have is timeless. Had it not been for this program, I would not have found a place that truly feels like home and provides so many networking and learning experiences. Being able to see the legislative process work and how intricate yet different each congressional office is only solidified that pursuing a career in public policy is a path I want to follow. Being able to work with an office that was so decided to touching on each area of interest while also living with three incredible friends made this opportunity one that I will never forget."