Corn board continues internship programs in Nebraska, D.C.

Since the Nebraska Corn Board was founded more than three decades ago, it has worked to nurture and develop talent among all students who have an interest in agriculture. Particular attention over the last two decades, however, has been given to college students selected to work beside staff and members of the board as part of an ongoing internship program.

This month, the latest two interns began their time with the Nebraska Corn Board. Regina Janousek (top photo) of Clarkson, NE, is interning at the board’s office in Lincoln, while Julie Batie of Lexington, NE, is spending the summer with the National Corn Growers Association’s Washington, D.C., office.

“The Nebraska Corn Board and staff have been blessed to have had so many wonderfully-talented young college student interns in our office,” said Don Hutchens, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board. “They represent an insightful next generation of young people who will help bring a new dimension to producing food, feed, fuel and fiber for a growing world population. They are bright, energetic, uninhibited and appreciative of their agricultural roots.”

Janousek is a junior in agribusiness at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She will collect and report corn and corn product utilization and transportation data, assist with market development and government relations programs and activities, oversee crop progress report placement, and be involved in communication efforts as a part of her internship.

Batie, a junior in agricultural education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, will be assisting NCGA staff on water quality and transportation issues, the Cuba trade bill, and biotechnology, ethanol and energy issues in Washington. She will also have the opportunity to shadow each of the NCGA lobbyists over the course of the summer.

The Washington intern position is a sponsored internship exclusively partnered with the NCGA’s Washington office and the Nebraska Corn Board.

“We look forward to having Julie with us this summer,” said Jon Doggett, vice president of public policy for NCGA. “The Nebraska Corn Board’s intern program has provided some outstanding opportunities for both the interns and NCGA. We enjoy having a bright and energetic college student give us some fresh perspectives. It is absolutely vital for young people who want to be involved in agriculture to understand how their government works and the best ways to be part of the process. We appreciate the support of the Nebraska Corn Board of this outstanding program.”