Irene Nielsen, senior in dairy science, agricultural communications and international agriculture, is one of this year’s interns. Partnered with Megan Clark, junior in agricultural communications and international agriculture, the pair took on the animal science sector.
While exploring innovations, Nielsen used her agricultural background as a resource in analyzing different products.
“Researching innovation ideas that can be practically put into use on farms is important,” Nielsen said. “The agricultural industry is going in the direction of larger farms needing sustainability practices, but finding practices for smaller farms is important as well.”
Lauren Zaabel, senior in agricultural business and economics, is another Next Gen intern and is partnered with Ryan Konecne, junior in agricultural business. This pair tackled the bioprocessing sector.
“The bioprocessing sector has opened my eyes to a different side of agriculture that I was not familiar with coming into the internship,” Zaabel said. “Throughout the research process, I used my foundational knowledge from growing up on a farm to generate creative thinking and innovation ideas.”
From the 20 identified innovations, each student team will select their three favorites and promote them via communications strategies, using the training they will receive in media and public relations.
Throughout the communication training, interns gain insight into promoting and successfully delivering a message to their target audience about their innovation strategies using three different methods.
“My longtime goal is assisting farmers and rural citizens in achieving their goals,” Zaabel said. “Learning how to communicate effectively and efficiently throughout the Next Gen internship has allowed me to grow my skill set and prepare me to enter the workforce after graduation.”
Alongside researching industry innovations and undergoing training, interns visit numerous companies and connect with industry professionals through panel discussions during the semester. Students use these networking opportunities to ask questions and gain knowledge on agriculture sectors to advance their research findings.
A handful of skills are needed to be successful throughout this internship.
“Differentiating if the innovations are realistic for farmers, financially and practically, was critical,” Nielsen said. “Being able to connect back to the farm and have a critical mind when researching was important.”
“Being persistent and selective when researching innovation ideas was key in finding practical strategies that can be used in the real world,” said Zaabel.
The program is sponsored by Midwest Dairy, and Iowa State’s Start Something College of Agriculture and Life Sciences partners with America’s Cultivation Corridor to coordinate the internship. Nielsen and Zaabel have appreciated the leadership and support of Billi Hunt, executive director of America’s Cultivation Corridor, Kelly Visser, consultant of America’s Cultivation Corridor, and Marcie Fahn, Start Something CALS representative, throughout the project.
“The leaders are fantastic; they give great feedback to a researching mind along with providing connections all over the agriculture industry,” Nielsen said.
The students will conclude their internship experience on Nov. 20 after using their learned communication strategies to present each of their top three innovations to the America’s Cultivation Corridor team.
2024 Next Gen Innovation Impact Study interns
- Colby Brandt, sophomore in agriculture and rural policy studies
- Shade Bunker, junior in agricultural business and economics
- Megan Clark, junior in agricultural communication and international agriculture
- Ryan Konecne, junior in agricultural business
- Jackie Miller, senior in agricultural communication and international agriculture
- Irene Nielsen, senior in dairy science, agricultural communication and international agriculture
- Antonio Reyes-Munoz, senior in agricultural studies and international agriculture
- Lauren Zaabel, senior in agricultural business and economics