Farmers Federation Welcomes Bumper Crop Of Interns
Four college students will amplify their agricultural experiences during summer internships with the Alabama Farmers Federation.
Kloe Burris, Walker Davidson, Maggie Edwards and Lakin Whatley are serving members of the state’s largest farm organization. They will work through the Farm & Land Expo in August.
Legal intern Burris is working with the External Affairs Department. Projects include a transportation law pamphlet, updating the Federation’s Ag Law & You Handbook and researching Alabama laws most pertinent to Federation members.
“I am extremely excited to be working at the Federation and gaining experience in Alabama agriculture,” said the 24-year-old native of Poteet, Texas. “I hope to broaden my understanding of issues Alabama farmers face and discover how to best serve the industry.”
Burris is in her third year at the University of Alabama School of Law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and a master’s of agribusiness from Texas Tech University.
Auburn native Davidson is interning with the Governmental & Agricultural Programs Department, where he assists with various commodity programs along with planning and preparing for the Farm & Land Expo.
“After being involved in a Young Farmers program in high school, I knew I would like to learn more about the Federation and how it assists producers,” Davidson said. “This internship will provide opportunities to work and build relationships with industry professionals and gain hands-on experience that will be an asset as I start my career.”
Davidson, 22, is a senior at Auburn University (AU) majoring in agricultural business and economics with plans to graduate in December. At AU, he is social chair for the Ag Ambassadors and is Ag Council secretary.
Maggie Edwards Lakin Whatley
The Communications Department is benefiting from interns Edwards and Whatley, who are working in broadcast and print, respectively. Both interns will participate in Alabama Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute and the Farm & Land Expo.
Edwards grew up on a poultry farm in Woodland in Randolph County. She is a senior at Mississippi State University, where she is pursuing a degree in agricultural education, leadership and communications with a minor in print and digital journalism. Major projects include assisting with production of the Federation’s “Simply Southern TV” show.
“As a former Alabama FFA state officer, I worked closely with the Federation and quickly learned how big of an impact Alfa has in the agricultural industry,” said Edwards, 21. “My grandfather, H.G. Miles, was a county Federation board member for years, and I believe that is where my love and passion for agriculture and Alfa began.”
At Mississippi State, she is involved with the Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority and various ag leadership groups.
Montgomery County native Whatley is writing stories and taking photos for Neighbors magazine, the Federation website and its social media channels. She is a senior at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where she is studying agricultural communication and is involved in Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and the Horticulture Club.
The first-generation cattle farmer from Grady exhibited show cattle when she was younger, including at the Alabama Jr. Beef Expo.
“Communications and agriculture go hand in hand,” said Whatley, 21. “The opportunities to learn more about each of those will be extensive during my internship. I am proud to be an Alfa intern and look forward to connecting with farmers and Federation families across the state.”