Boyd C. Christenberry and Kayla Sellers, Auburn University College of Agriculture students, began summer internships with the Alabama Farmers Federation May 5. Both will receive academic credit necessary for completion of their degrees.

Christenberry, a senior in agricultural economics, will spend his summer working in the Department of Governmental and Agricultural Programs (GAP).

“This is a great opportunity for me to network and travel around the state, get my hands dirty and find what I’d like to do in the business world,” said the Birmingham native. 

Christenberry’s supervisor, Brian Hardin, plans to keep him busy this summer.

“His main responsibility will be working with the TREASURE Forest Association (TFA) to help revitalize 50 plus county chapters of the TFA,” said Hardin. TFA merged with the Federation in October.

Sellers, a Pintlala resident and Federation scholarship recipient, is a senior in agricultural communications interning in the Department of Public Relations and Communications. 

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Sellers. “The experiences I am going to receive first-hand by working in this department are invaluable when matched with my education from Auburn. ”

Jeff Helms, director of Public Relations and Communications, says Sellers’ energy, enthusiasm and love of agriculture will be assets to the department.

“Kayla will be responsible for news and feature writing, photography, copy editing, research and project management. This experience will help prepare her to be an effective advocate for agriculture,” said Helms. “We are excited to have Kayla on our team and appreciate her commitment to telling farmers’ stories.”

Both students share a family history with Alfa. Christenberry’s grandfather, Boyd E. Christenberry, worked for Alfa Insurance as executive vice president of marketing. Sellers’ late grandfather, Billy Sellers, was a Montgomery County Federation board member, and her parents, Joe and Amy Sellers, worked closely with Alfa Realty for many years. 

The students say they plan to gain as much experience as possible during the summer months and return to Auburn in August to finish their educations.