Animal husbandry, planting practices, agricultural economic outlooks and environmental analyses. For many, these topics are what come to mind when thinking of the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. 

But a closer look at one of the university’s earliest colleges illuminates the ways CAES prepares students interested in public policy and the legislative process.

With agriculture leading as the state’s largest industry, agricultural, food and environmental policy are crucial topics of discussion both under Georgia’s golden dome in Atlanta and at the federal level, especially considering the volume of agricultural exports shipped globally from Georgia and the U.S.

Through two premier internship programs, CAES students join these conversations firsthand, gaining insight into policymaking that affects their daily lives. 

At the state level, students can participate in the Georgia Legislative Internship, an experiential learning program that coincides with the state’s annual legislative session each spring semester. Two students are selected from a pool of applicants, one to work directly with the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and the other to work with the Georgia Agribusiness Council. Day-to-day activities are similar for both interns, including attending committee meetings, writing briefs and conducting research on issues related to agricultural and environmental policy and consumer affairs. The interns are also able to visit other state offices and get a broader look at policy in general.

“Depending on the day, I had the opportunity to work with practically every office in the Capitol,” said Benjamin Easter, an agricultural communication major who interned with the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee in 2022. “My biggest takeaway from this semester was understanding how critical engaging with others is to being successful in a government setting.”

As young professionals, these students expand their legislative network through their time at the state Capitol, working with constituents and colleagues for the first time.

“This internship was truly life-changing and so valuable to me as I prepare to begin my professional career,” said Jay Ivey, an agricultural communication major who interned with the Georgia Agribusiness Council in 2022. “I have learned the importance of professionalism in interacting with stakeholders and have developed my professional skills in the process.”

For students interested in learning about the federal legislative process, CAES offers its prestigious Congressional Agricultural Fellowship. The longest-running UGA student internship program in Washington, D.C., more than 100 students have participated in the 12-week experience that takes place in various congressional offices in the nation’s capital. Like interns at the state level, Congressional Agriculture Fellows conduct research on policies and issues, attend committee hearings and prepare briefs. Unlike many internships on Capitol Hill, however, these fellows work directly with lawmakers’ legislative assistants, staff members who aid elected officials, which gives them a more intensive experience in the dealings of agricultural, environmental and food policy. 

“I’ve only had a few periods in my life where I grew a significant amount in such a short period of time, but this experience has definitely been one of them. Both professionally and personally, I learned so much as an ag fellow.”

The growth and perspective gained through these internships have inspired many participants, including Easter and Solomon, to pursue government-related careers. 

“Experiential learning opportunities such as the Georgia Legislative Internship and Congressional Agricultural Fellowship provide a chance for students to develop practical and professional skills outside of a classroom setting,” said Josef Broder, CAES associate dean for academic affairs. “Whether they continue to take an interest in policy or not, the experience is instrumental in their professional development for whatever careers they decide to pursue.”

CAES internship programs have an impact on the college’s governmental relations as well.

“These internships help strengthen our networks with elected officials and produce a positive impact on our college,” said Regina Fitzpatrick, director of external affairs for CAES. “Students experience our government at work firsthand and apply that knowledge to their classroom and life experiences. This exposes our students to careers that can create a pipeline to our industry and state leadership.”

The network of participants from these internships grows with each passing class, producing future generations of legislative leaders and industry representatives.