The Alabama Farmers Federation has welcomed Troy University and Auburn University (AU) students and graduates for summer internships.

Troy’s Ginny Bradley joins AU students Morgan Graham and Elizabeth Thompson at the Federation, while recent AU graduate Caleb Hicks returns for his third internship at the state’s largest farm organization. They will intern through the Federation’s Commodity Producers Conference in August.

Bradley, a Clarke County native, is interning with the Soybean and Wheat & Feed Grain Producers. The Troy communications and public relations senior is visiting farms and writing for Federation publications, focusing on use of checkoff dollars.

“I am very thankful for this opportunity,” said Bradley, who is from Jackson. “I think this will be a great experience, not only to improve my writing and communications skills, but also to learn more about agriculture.”

At Troy, Bradley is secretary of Lambda Pi Eta National Honor Society for Communications Studies. She is also a charter member of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity and is an Alpha Gamma Delta alumna.

Pike County native Graham, an AU agricultural communications senior, is working with the Federation’s Public Relations and Communications Department. She writes and takes photos for Neighbors magazine, manages social media and is working on website-related projects.

“I am honored to learn more and sharpen my communications skills,” said Graham, who is from Brundidge. “I’m working with some of the best in the industry while getting to network with farmers throughout Alabama.”

Graham graduates from AU Aug. 4. She was AU Young Farmers social media chair, worked with AU Collegiate Cattlemen and was senior director of AgHill Communications, a student-led public relations organization. 

Cullman County’s Thompson is interning with the Organization Department, where she assisted with Ag in the Classroom (AITC) Summer Institute. She also works on ag literacy projects and curriculum development. 

“I am excited to advocate for and serve Alabama’s agricultural industry through AITC,” said Thompson, a native of Holly Pond. “The possibilities for sharing information about our No. 1 industry are endless.”

Thompson is AU Ag Ambassadors social chair and is Ag Council secretary-treasurer.

An AU agricultural communications graduate, Hicks is working with the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) for a second summer. He previously worked for the Soybean and Wheat & Feed Grain Producers.

“I am excited to work again with the AFVGA,” said Hicks, a native of Ramer in Montgomery County. “I look forward to learning about and promoting this organization while meeting new people in agriculture.”

Duties include farm visits, fruit and vegetable promotions, coordinating farmers market programming and social media. He will also update the AFVGA membership database. 

Thompson and Hicks are both scholarship recipients through the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation.

Federation President Jimmy Parnell said supporting these interns will impact the students  and agriculture for years to come.

“Ginny, Morgan, Elizabeth and Caleb are the future of our industry,” Parnell said. “We’re excited to invest in them. Agriculture will reap rewards from their hands-on education and experiences within our organization.”