Washington, D.C.

Meet our Summer 2023 ANRP intern cohort!

 

Kasey Andrews Office of Congressman Nathaniel Moran Kasey Andrews graduated from Texas A&M University in May 2023. She double majored in Bioenvironmental Sciences and Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences with a minor in Rangeland Ecology and Management. Her interest in the environment started during her junior year of high school and has grown ever since. During her time at Texas A&M, Kasey was a cadet in the Corps of Cadets and a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. She was a tutor for the O.R. Simpson Honor Society, a free peer-led tutoring service open to cadets within the corps. She was also an active member of the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP), which brought environmental industry guest speakers to share their experiences in the field. Her combined interest in the environment and the desire to make a difference in the environmental industry have encouraged her to pursue a law degree post-graduation. This summer, Kasey will intern with the Office of Congressman Nathaniel Moran.  She is looking forward to better understanding the inner workings of Capitol Hill and the interaction between law and policy in D.C.

Emalee Burt Office of Congressman Tony Gonzales Emalee Burt is a sophomore agricultural science major with an agriculture communications and journalism minor, who will graduate in May 2025. Emalee grew up in San Antonio, Texas, where she raised market pigs and competed in speaking events. Being so active in the FFA sparked her passion for advocating for agriculture, more specifically, agricultural education. Outside of the classroom, Emalee is a member of Aggie Southern Darlings, a women’s organization based on service, sisterhood, and Southern hospitality. Following graduation, she plans to attend law school with an interest in public policy. Through her internship with the Office of Congressman Tony Gonzales, she is excited to gain insight into public policy and the legislative process.

MacKenzie Chapman Texas A&M University System – Federal Relations Office MacKenzie Chapman, a Ph.D. student focusing on meat science and food safety, is from Battle Creek, Michigan. She is expected to complete her program in the December of 2025. MacKenzie completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Oklahoma State University in 2020, and completed her Masters degree at Texas A&M in Animal Science with an emphasis in Beef Genetics and Breeding in 2022. MacKenzie’s passion for the agriculture industry began at a very young age through her involvement in showing livestock. This passion only continued to strengthen through her involvement in various meat science extension events through the meat science department at Texas A&M, where she had the opportunity to meet and connect with professionals from every part of the agricultural industry. Through MacKenzie’s internship with the American Horse Council, she discovered her interest in effecting change through agricultural policy. This opportunity inspired her to get further involved in policy and introduced her to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program. MacKenzie will be interning with the Texas A&M University System Federal Relations office this summer. She hopes to further develop her skills in advocating for the agriculture industry throughout this internship. After her graduation in 2025, MacKenzie hopes to utilize her experiences to further serve the agriculture industry with a food safety research focus.

Connor Chappell The Fertilizer Institute Connor Chappell is a sophomore Agricultural Economics major with a minor in Agricultural Systems Management from Lyford, Texas. He is expected to graduate in the Spring of 2025 from Texas A&M University. After graduating from Texas A&M, Connor is planning on attending law school and obtaining his Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and enter the agricultural law sector. As an undergraduate, Connor has been involved in various organizations. He has been a participating member of Texas A&M Pre-Law Society since 2023 and has served in leadership positions in John 15, a student run organization associated with St. Mary’s Catholic Center in College Station, TX. Both the organizations have facilitated Connor’s growth by providing necessary community as well as the opportunity to network with current and former Aggies. In addition to his schoolwork, Connor worked as a student worker for 12th Man Productions, the video side of Texas A&M Athletics who creates all broadcast and social media content for the Aggies. Connor served as a broadcast camera operator and the lead student for all postproduction content for Texas A&M Men’s and Women’s Tennis. As the lead post student, Connor oversaw the filming, editing, and production of social media and in venue content. Connor was the youngest such lead student of a sport in all of 12th Man Productions, which is a testament to his abilities to multitask, lead, adapt, and learn quickly. Connor has accepted a position with The Fertilizer Institute and is prepare to get his hands dirty and make an impact in policy.

Cade Conrad Office of Congressman Morgan Luttrell Cade Conrad is a junior agricultural economics major with a political science minor from Bryan, TX. Growing up just 15 minutes from campus, Cade was extensively involved in the agricultural industry through his family’s small cow-calf operation, 4-H, and his local FFA chapter. During his freshman year at A&M, Cade had the opportunity to serve as a Texas FFA State Vice President, representing over 156,000 FFA members across the state. This organization and opportunity was where Cade discovered his passion for public policy. Furthermore, Cade joined the Student Government Association Legislative Relations Commission where he has assisted in researching, writing, and advocating for pieces of legislation that affect students in higher education. Through his educational path and the opportunities afforded to him at Texas A&M, Cade has found his passion for policy and is ecstatic to represent A&M this summer. Through the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Program, Cade will intern with the Office of Congressman Morgan Luttrell in Washington, D.C.

Rachael Detten Office of Congressman Brian Babin Rachael Detten is a sophomore agribusiness major with a minor in communication, graduating in December of 2024. As a native of Hereford, Texas, also known as the Beef Capital of the World, she grew up surrounded by agriculture and was heavily involved in 4-H and FFA, exhibiting market lambs for 10 years. She developed her passion for agriculture and leadership through a diverse portfolio of projects and experiences. Rachael worked as a radio disc jockey at her local radio station, KPAN AM-FM, over several years where she found an interest in and gained hands-on experience in media and communication. In her time at Texas A&M University, Rachael has served as a member of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Student Council, where she helps makes decisions on behalf of the student body, and an Ambassador for the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, in which she meets with potential students of the advantages of pursuing a degree and career in the agricultural industry. She is also an Aggie REP for the Department of Agricultural Economics, working to plan and promote her department, a teaching assistant for the Texas Barbecue class, a member of the 12th Can which serves food insecure students, faculty, and staff on campus, and was a proud member of the 2022 Reserve National Champion Fighting Texas Aggie Wool Judging Team. After college, Rachael plans to pursue a career in agricultural marketing, media, and public relations, or policy and legislative work. Rachael’s main policy interests lie in advocating for rural economies, the beef and dairy industries, and the farmers and ranchers that feed and clothe us. She has accepted a position in the Office of Congressman Brian Babin, where she looks forward to learning more about policy making.

Thomas “Ray” Edwards National Association of Wheat Growers Ray Edwards is a member of the Texas A&M University 3+2 Program between the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management and the Bush School of Government and Public Service. He is pursuing a master’s degree in public service and administration. Currently, Ray wants to pursue a career in production-side agriculture advocacy in the form of policy work. He wants to continue to support agriculture by merging his passion for production agriculture with his passion for public policy. Ray hopes to be able to impact this area positively, and further hopes that the ANRP internship program allows him to put his best and most competitive foot forward in this area. Ray has always enjoyed competition and has always wanted to find a career that offers him the opportunity to be competitive, and this is one area where competition is an absolute requirement for success, and Ray knows that ANRP will help teach him the skills required to be as competitive as possible.

Callie Hargrove House Committee on Agriculture – majority office Callie Hargrove is a junior agricultural economics major graduating in December 2023. She is a third-generation Aggie from Snyder, Texas. Callie grew up on her family’s cow-calf operation in Borden County, Texas. She also spent several summers in her family’s crop insurance agency, Hargrove Crop Insurance, and plans to return there after graduation. During her time at the agency, Callie discovered her passion for serving the farmers and ranchers of West Texas. Her time in the agency introduced Callie to the policy side of agriculture. Callie interned with Combest Sell & Associates, a Lubbock, Texas, and D.C. based agriculture lobbying firm, in the summer of 2022. She now works for the Agriculture and Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M University and for the Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. Callie has accepted an internship with the House Committee on Agriculture. She is excited for the opportunity, and she is looking forward to working with the Committee at the height of the 2023 Farm Bill.

Seth Hilfiker U.S. Beet Sugar Association Born and raised on his family’s hay farm in Holtville, California, Seth recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Texas A&M University in May. Throughout his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M, Seth has been a member of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council, Saddle N’ Sirloin Club, and the 2022 Reserve National Champion Livestock Judging Team. Being surrounded by agriculture from a young age fueled his desire to establish a career promoting and lobbying for agricultural interests. Seth has completed numerous internships within the agricultural industry in Texas, Arizona, and California in the pursuit of diversifying his experiences and understanding the current issues our producers face. After completing his internship with the United States Beet Sugar Association this summer, he plans to attend the Bush School of Government & Public Service to earn a graduate degree in Public Service and Administration.

Annabel Klemm Office of Congressman Nathaniel Moran Annabel Klemm is a junior agricultural economics major from College Station, TX. She is graduating in May of 2024, and plans to enter the public service sector in the agricultural industry. Annabel currently serves as an Aggie Rep, a representative program for the Department of Agricultural Economics that is dedicated to prospective student outreach and department involvement. During her time at Texas A&M, she has been involved in numerous programs such as Titans of Investing, an investment program through MAYS Business School, covering topics across business, psychology, investing, political science, and history. Annabel also served as a MAYS Business Fellow; a premier undergraduate professional development program dedicated to building upon other students’ core competencies critical for leadership in a global society. Along with these, Annabel has been a part of ReadByThird, a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to providing academic resources to lower-income families and helping students read by the third grade to benefit their long-term academic careers. Annabel will be interning with Representative Nathaniel Moran for the summer of 2023. She is excited to learn more about the legislative process as a whole.

Eden Lambert National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Eden is a Texas A&M University graduate from Hunt, Texas. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and a Certificate in International Trade in May 2023. In the fall, she will begin her master’s at Texas A&M University in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Eden’s active involvement in FFA in high school sparked her passion for agriculture, where she was president of her chapter, showed livestock, and competed in various agricultural contests. She has become passionate about agricultural policy and the role that legislation can play in protecting producers and stewarding agriculture for future generations. While at Texas A&M, she interned for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and was a marketing and communications intern at Mo-Ranch in Hunt, Texas. Eden was also an active member of the Agricultural Economics Society. These combined experiences developed leadership and professional skills she will utilize in her future career. Eden also volunteered for the Big Event and Breakaway Ministries. Her time serving in these roles has truly taught her the meaning of selfless service and what it means to exemplify the Aggie Core Values. This summer, Eden will intern with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, where she will continue to pursue her passion for agricultural policy and advocate for producers. Eden is excited to have the opportunity to represent the Aggies in Washington, D.C., and to gain exposure to the legislative process.

Taylor O’Brien Office of Congressman Michael Cloud Taylor Marie O’Brien is a senior at Texas A&M University from Sinton, Texas. She is an agricultural economics honors student who plans to graduate in December 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and a pre-law certificate. Taylor’s passion for agriculture stems from raising cattle and quarter horses with her family. She actively participated in FFA and 4-H, where she showed goats, lambs, steers, and horses. Notably, she received her American FFA Degree, placed within the top ten teams at the Texas FFA state Land, Homesite, and Livestock Evaluation competitions, and served as a Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador. At Texas A&M, Taylor is in the Agricultural Economics Society, with whom she volunteered in the Big Event. On the Agricultural Economics Quiz Bowl Team, she competed in the 2022 SAEA competition in New Orleans, Louisiana, and will compete in the national competition in July 2023. The College of Agriculture has rewarded her endeavors through her induction into the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society and selection as a 2023 Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL) scholar. For three years, Taylor has worked as a student assistant for the Diane and M. Edward Rister ’74 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, and she has completed summer legal internships for a private practice attorney and the general counsel of a farm credit company. Taylor’s academic and professional experience has inspired her interest in policy and advocating for agriculture. With the career goal of becoming an attorney, she has strong interests in the policy and legal aspects of production agriculture, farm credit, and agribusinesses. This summer, Taylor will intern with the Office of Congressman Michael Cloud, where she looks forward to learning more about the legislative process and helping influence policy at the national level.

Alex Smith USA Rice Federation Alex Smith is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, and is part of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 2024. Originally from Canadian, Texas, he has grown up in the agriculture industry. In middle and high school, he was heavily involved in 4-H, and also worked as a ranch hand on a neighboring ranch. Growing up with an agricultural background and his knowledge in economic theory and public policy has created a passion of the integration of agriculture and public policy. While being a student at Texas A&M, he also is a part-time student worker at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. He also served on the executive board of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity for two years. His time at Texas A&M has not only strengthened his leadership skills, but has also broadened his future career goals once he graduates in the Spring of 2024. This summer, Alex will be working as a Governmental Affairs intern with the USA Rice Federation. The USA Rice Federation is a global advocate for the entirety of the U.S. rice industry. Alex hopes to learn what it takes to efficiently represent the interests of the rice industry.

Lucas Trosper U.S. Beet Sugar Association Lucas Trosper is a junior biological and agricultural engineering major from New Braunfels, Texas. He will graduate in December 2024 from Texas A&M University. Upon graduation, Lucas will commission into the United States Air Force, where he intends to pursue a career as a Combat Rescue Officer. During his time at Texas A&M University, Lucas has grown in his desire to serve in the fullest capacity he can at all stages of life. Through personal experiences and his studies in Agricultural Engineering, he has become passionate about developing policies and systems to ensure consistent food and water for developing and underprivileged communities. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Lucas has also invested heavily in preparing for his military career through the Corps of Cadets in Squadron 17 and the Ross Volunteer Company. He has also served Texas A&M itself through the Aggie Muster Committee, organizing a campus memorial service to honor Aggies who have passed throughout the year. This summer, Lucas will intern with the United States Beet Sugar Association, where he hopes to grow in his understanding of the policy development process as well as where he can best apply his military and engineering skill set and background to public service. Ultimately, Lucas cannot wait to spend time in DC, learning and growing with fellow Aggies!

Jade Williams Office of Congressman Pete Sessions As a member of the Texas A&M Class of ‘25, Jade Williams is a Terry Scholar, double majoring in agricultural communications & journalism and agricultural leadership & development. As a graduate of Normangee High School, Jade was highly involved in her community, specifically the agricultural sector throughout high school and university. This included working at Standley Feed and Seed and being actively involved with the Normangee FFA Chapter and the Normangee Junior Livestock Show, where she served as the 2021 Fair Queen and exhibited broilers and goats during high school. This involvement grew her passion for agricultural advocacy. During her time at Texas A&M University, Jade has served as a Student Senator representing the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where she currently serves as the Rules and Regulation Chair, representing nearly 7,000 members from her respective college in the Student Government Association. Jade is also involved in the TAMU Taekwondo Team and is a member of Texas Aggie Cattlewomen, an organization targeting beef promotion on campus. Following her graduation from Texas A&M University, Jade plans to pursue a career as an agricultural lobbyist, where she can effectively communicate the value of agriculture and fiscal responsibility within the public policy realm. Jade’s interests in agricultural policy include foreign beef trade that favors American ranchers, estate tax reform, and the 2023 Farm Bill. Jade is honored to be interning with the Office of Congressman Pete Sessions for the summer of 2023 in Washington, D.C., where she hopes to gain experience working with policy and develop communication skills in relation to agriculture. Jade has a deep dedication to the farmers and ranchers of Texas and looks forward to the opportunity to represent Texas A&M and the people she truly loves to serve.

Joanna Zagrean Office of Congressman August Pfluger Joanna Zagrean is a senior biochemistry major with a minor in neuroscience from Crandall, Texas. Joanna’s background in pharmaceuticals and healthcare is what sparked her interest in policy. As an undergraduate researcher, Joanna studied various legislative pieces on REDOX, PTSD, and Gulf War Illness. Joanna quickly realized her passion for science and law. After graduation, Joanna plans on attending George Mason University and completing her Master’s in Biodefense, ultimately pursuing a career in global health policy and national security. Joanna has been a part of the Aggie Sisters for Christ for the past four years. She volunteered at the Hope Pregnancy Center with the ministry, helping young mothers care for their babies. Joanna has been a member of the Biochemistry and Genetics Society since her freshman year. Joanna has worked as a pharmacy technician since she was 18 and has worked at A.P. Beutel, TAMU’s on campus health clinic, for almost two years. This summer, Joanna is interning with the Office of Congressman August Pfluger. She cannot wait to continue growing in her knowledge of policy and to learn more about the intersection of science and law.