Have you ever wondered what it is like to meet the person in charge of all of agriculture in the United States? I have, and I was able to meet the man. Tom Vilsack is the 32nd Secretary of Agriculture, and this is his second stint in the position. I had the opportunity, along with other interns, to meet him at the USDA headquarters. He came up to us, asked someone where they were from, and complimented their home state. Secretary Vilsack had a great sense of humor, even cracking jokes about football. This opportunity was once in a lifetime, and meeting the Secretary of Agriculture is something I will remember for the rest of my life.

Michael Starnes
National Farmers Union
Fall 2022 | Washington, D.C

Throughout this internship, I have gained invaluable knowledge about legislation. As a reward for our hard work, a couple of interns and I took a trip to New York City to explore the Big Apple. As much as it is important to work hard to change the world, it is equally important to explore it. It is crucial to capitalize on the opportunities presented to you and take advantage of your time to explore our nation’s capital and the surrounding areas. To maximize your experience during your internship, it is essential to take advantage of the opportunities presented to you and explore our nation’s capital and its surrounding regions.

Joseph Lai
Office of Congressman Randy Weber
Fall 2022 | Washington, D.C

If you’re anything like me, moving across the country to a place you’ve visited once briefly can be overwhelming. And while I didn’t grow up in the smallest town, Waco, TX, has nothing on Washington, D.C. I planned and packed meticulously so I could be ready for anything D.C. could’ve thrown at me. Still, one thing I didn’t expect or plan for was to fall in love with this city the second I landed. Now that I’ve gotten into my new groove of life in D.C. I’m sharing some of the expected and unexpected lessons I’ve learned!

1. Public Transportation, aka the Metro

If you’re anything like me, the thought of navigating the metro was a daunting but necessary task. I’m here to tell you the metro is actually very simple and easy to navigate! After you ride it twice, you’ll be good to go where you please on it. The metro has several online apps and interactive maps that show you where the trains are and give estimated arrival times so you can plan ahead and not sit in the station for 15+ minutes. As silly as it might sound, nothing makes you feel more like a local than being able to ride the metro!

2. Your roommates will be your lifeline. 

One thing that appealed to me about TAMU was that I didn’t have to stay in a dorm room my first year. So, living with 6 other girls in one apartment was something I wasn’t sure I’d like, but my roommates became my best friends and lifeline very quickly. Not only are they going through the same adjustment as you, but they are also there for the same reasons as you, so it brings a level of comfort and home I didn’t expect. We go on new adventures, try new things, and grow and learn from each other in a way that you can only get through a program like this. 

3. You’re going to make mistakes; EMBRACE THEM!

I’m a perfectionist at heart; it, in my opinion, can be a fatal flaw. The truth is you will make more mistakes than you’ll like to admit, but not every mistake will feel like a mistake. My best advice is to use your mistakes as learning opportunities! So, don’t beat yourself up over making mistakes but embrace the lessons that come from them. One of the biggest aspects of this internship that I didn’t expect was just how much I would grow personally, and making mistakes is one of the best ways to grow and get better! 

 4. Southern Hospitality in D.C.??

Undoubtedly, the biggest shock moving up here for me was the cultural shock. There is no denying D.C. is nothing like College Station, TX. Anytime I told someone about moving up here, I got the same advice, “watch out for people; you better have tough skin; people aren’t nice up there like they are here.” However, I’m happy to report that most people here are so nice and genuinely want to help you. While there are the occasional rude people you will encounter, the good interactions far outweigh the bad ones. 

5. Expect the unexpected 

This town is full of surprises, some good and some less good. From being stranded in the middle of D.C. because the metro unexpectedly had to shut down to randomly seeing your mom’s childhood best friend walking down the street (I mean, what are the chances?!), you never know what will happen on any given day. So the best advice I can give is to start each day with an open mind and embrace whatever the day throws at you! 

 (One thing I expected but wasn’t prepared for was the amount and the severity of the blisters you will inevitably get. So bring TONS of Band-Aids and comfy shoes to wear on the way to work!)

 6. This is your chance to be whoever you want!

One of my favorite aspects of living in a new city where you, quite frankly, don’t know a soul is that you can be whoever you want! There is a sense of freedom and endless possibility that comes with living somewhere like D.C. that I’ve fallen in love with. This is an opportunity to try new things and explore a new city, new interests, and grow as a person! 

Madalyn Willis
Office of Congressman Michael Cloud
Fall 2022 | Washington, D.C

In the summer of 2016, this 15-year-old farm girl stepped foot in our nation’s capital for the first time. In town for a leadership conference, I anxiously waited for the opportunity to see the sights, meet with legislators, and learn more about our country’s history. What began as a week-long visit turned into a desire to return again one day. Five years later, I am back and truly cannot believe I am living and working in Washington, D.C. In the short time I have lived here, I have continued to fall in love with this city. Not only do I love the fast-paced city life, but I love the work I’m doing within it and the people I get to do the work alongside. All that said, the big city life can be a bit intimidating for a girl coming from a town that boasts about 300 people. I thought I could provide some “advice” for all my small-town farm kids who find themselves in the same boots as me.

Commuter shoes are NO JOKE!

I learned this the hard way. Tennis shoes, Hey Dudes, Crocs… Whatever you prefer, make sure they are comfortable and fit well. You will do so much more walking than you think. I probably walk at least three to five miles a day and sometimes, more. A comfortable pair of shoes when traveling to and from work are a must! And while you’re at it, invest in some comfortable work shoes. You can always throw on heels for a meeting or event, but stylish loafers or flats are the best way to go for everyday roaming around the office. You will thank yourself when you’re not putting a whole box of Band-Aids on your feet (speaking from experience)!

Public transportation is an experience in itself.

Ubers are expensive, the metro is anything but glamorous, sometimes it’s too far to walk, and if you’re bringing your car… good luck with that D.C. traffic! I’d be lying if I said public transportation hasn’t been a bit of a culture shock. On the bright side, you have the rest of the interns to figure it out alongside. The metro is definitely the cheapest and probably the easiest way to get around D.C. That being said, I encourage you to explore other options as well! For example, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has been free for the month of September due to the yellow metro line being shut down. The VRE is usually less crowded, cleaner, and has been much faster for myself because of the location I travel to for work. If all else fails, splitting an Uber with a few other interns isn’t a bad idea from time to time. 

Don’t let the word “no” be in your D.C. vocabulary! 

They say there really is no place like Washington, D.C., and if you want to make a change, this is the place to be. And they’re not wrong. D.C. is FULL of so many different opportunities. Whether it be networking at a reception or event, attending happy hour with some coworkers, sitting in on a meeting or Zoom call, or seeing the sites on the weekend with other interns, don’t catch yourself saying “no” to anything. You never know who you might meet or have the opportunity to connect with. Or you may find an interest or passion in a policy area or a career you didn’t know much about. 

It’s different… And that’s OK!

I’ve been asked why in the world I would want to live and work in Washington, D.C.? It’s a valid question and honestly, there are times I miss the comfort and quiet of my small town. And you don’t have to love it! You may get here and realize this isn’t the place for you, and that is OK! At the end of the day, your experience is what you make of it. So make the most of it, as you may never get this chance again. As for me, I cannot wait to find my way back here once again (hopefully more permanently)! I’ve never had more excitement and passion for what I’m doing than I do here in D.C. And I like to think that 15-year-old farm girl would be pretty proud of how far she’s come. 

Morgan Orem
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Fall 2022 | Washington, D.C

 

 

The first thing you have to know about networking is that the folks around you really do want to help you. The vast majority of your colleagues were once in your shoes, and somebody helped them achieve their dreams. Also, never be intimidated by titles. They used to be in the exact same place as you. The folks I met at my internship have been the most helpful people in all of my career advancement. In fact, here’s a picture of me with one of the people I most respect, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Glenn Thompson.

Good luck!

Dawson Raub
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association / Public Lands Council
Fall 2022 | Washington, D.C

Once you’re accepted to ANRP and placed with your office, the anticipation starts rapidly building. While you’re itching to get to D.C. and daydreaming about our nation’s capital as you wrap up the semester, here are a few practical ways to prepare for an internship:

1. Prep your packing list

This seems like common sense to most people, but don’t underestimate the power of a good packing list! Creating a comprehensive list is a great way to quantify the limited real estate you have in your luggage. Based on your office’s dress code, think about how many outfits you can mix and match, what shoes you’ll practically wear, and how many A&M t-shirts you can actually wear. Make sure you consider outfits for evenings and items to adapt for D.C. weather! Don’t forget about your non-clothing items too-chargers, your favorite water bottle, the retainer you should be wearing every night… The more comprehensive the list, the less likely you are to forget an essential. Bonus tip: save your list and use it to check off all your items while you’re packing to head back to Texas!

2. Prep some meal ideas

While we all love eating out and discovering new restaurants, the costs definitely add up in a city like D.C.! To prevent a meal prep lull, look for recipes for some of your favorite meals and snacks. Look for ones that are easy to make multiple servings of and pre-pack for lunch. Some of my favorites are pasta salad and cheese and crackers (think adult lunchables!). Coming with recipe ideas on deck will make shopping and cooking a lot easier.

3. Prep your weekend plans

The DMV area is packed with so many incredible places to visit and explore, plus it is just a short journey from places like New York and Philadelphia. It can be overwhelming to find where you want to visit and not feel like you’ve wasted your limited weekends up here. Ask for recommendations and search for the must-see museums, green spaces, and restaurants in and around D.C. If you know you want to go out of town, decide on a weekend early so you don’t put it off and run out of time!

Helena MacCrossan
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.

I am the old guy in my cohort. But being the old guy is not such a bad thing.

 

I applied for ANRP during one of the last semesters of my master’s degree. I figured that if I was serious about jumping into the world of public policy and eventually wanted to land a job with a three- or four-letter agency job, this would be the perfect opportunity to increase my chances of making that come true. Despite being in the throes of thesis research, I knew I wanted this experience and made it happen. However, unlike most students who are fortunate enough to be accepted for an internship with either ANRP or PPIP, I am not the “typical” intern.

 

I graduated in the Fall of 2015 with my bachelor’s degree. After graduation, I worked as a regulatory official for a state agency for several years before deciding to return to Aggieland and continue my education with a graduate degree. However, I hadn’t realized that the time I spent working helped groom me for an even more enriching graduate student experience than I had initially expected.

 

The years I worked full-time in my first post-graduation job taught me a lot about being an adult. Technically yes, you become a legal adult at 18, but I would argue that becoming an adult takes much more than simply reaching an age. Even the four-ish years that students spend in college are often not enough to make them adults. There is some level of sheltering that occurs by being within the college experience (e.g. having a structured class schedule, living in a dorm or with roommates off-campus, etc.).

 

However, after getting that first job after college, I began to learn a lot about myself and what I was starting to want in my life. I began to recognize my strengths and the types of jobs to which I could lend those strengths. I even narrowed down what type of career field I found most interesting and would likely become my career.

 

Since starting graduate school, I have found that I may take a greater appreciation for the courses and experiences I have daily. I suspect that it’s because I see the purposes behind the exercises. Where it fits in the puzzle. Why things are often the way they are. And during this internship, that has continued to be a reoccurring theme, especially as I get to see what an effect the policy process has on all of us.

 

I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s not such a bad thing being the old guy in the cohort. I thought I might struggle being 8, 9, or maybe even 10 years older than some of my cohort peers. But I’ve found that I am probably enjoying myself more than if I had this experience as an undergraduate. I am thankful for the opportunity to intern while in graduate school and would recommend that anyone on the fence about doing the same choose to take the leap. It’s worth it being the old person from time to time.

 

Zach Vice
The Fertilizer Institute
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.

Have you ever thought about moving across the country for the summer but were afraid of the major commitment and change that comes with moving? I thought the same thing when I decided to apply for Texas A&M’s Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program last December. I was worried about leaving College Station, my graduate program, and the things I could potentially miss over the summer. Thankfully, I took a leap of faith and decided to follow through with an internship working for Congressman Michael Cloud in our nation’s capital, and I haven’t looked back since!

Last semester, I took ANSC 637, Food Safety: Policy, Regulations, and Issues, with Dr. Kerri Gehring. This class really sparked my interest in agricultural and food safety policy and led me to apply to intern in Washington, D.C., this summer. I was hesitant to apply for an internship in an area I had little to no experience, but I was reassured through the ANRP program that this is what internships are for! Learning new things, making mistakes, and growing as a professional are just a few of the things you can learn from interning on Capitol Hill.

I am thankful for my time in D.C. so far, and I look forward to what will come in the future. Leaving Texas for the summer was the best decision I have made from a career standpoint. After completing my graduate program, I am considering looking into future job opportunities in agricultural policy. Stepping outside my comfort zone has allowed me to push myself to learn and experience new things. My family always told me growing up, “You don’t get better when you are comfortable,” and that statement has never been more true!

Things I have gained from this internship in just four short weeks: 

1. Networking Opportunities 
2. Professional Development 
3. Gaining knowledge in my policy area of interest 

I encourage anyone that may have the slightest interest in applying for the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program to do so. Sometimes doing new things can be uncomfortable, but the feeling that comes with maturing and learning new things that make you more marketable in the workplace far outweighs that initial feeling. Now I will leave you with a question, will you apply for that internship you have been thinking about next summer? 

Lauren Lee
Office of Congressman Michael Cloud
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t get tacos from Torchy’s, fajitas from Chuy’s, or queso from Fuego at least once a week. As a Texas native, Mexican food has always been a staple in my weekly diet. So, as you can imagine, as soon as I arrived in D.C., I was upset to hear that most of the Mexican food here gets a bad rep. So, to put that theory to the test, I’ve spent the last month trying out Tex-Mex restaurants in the area so that you don’t have to!

Tacombi, located in Crystal City, is the cutest little cantina-style restaurant with quick and easy dining. I ordered a burrito with beans, chicken, and cheese and had chips and guacamole on the side. While the prices don’t compare to those in Texas, this meal was decently priced for a casual weeknight dinner in D.C.

District Taco is another contender for the best tacos in D.C. Located in the Eastern Market area; this is the perfect place to stop and grab a bite after a long day of shopping. While their specialty is tacos, they also have quesadillas, burritos, and appetizers. This was some of the best food I’ve had in D.C., and the prices were not bad at all.

Last but not least is Republic Cantina. This is, in my opinion, the best Mexican restaurant in D.C. It is more of a sit-down restaurant, and the prices reflect that, but it is well worth the money for the quality of food you’re getting. I ordered the poblano chicken enchiladas and can truly say it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

While I highly suggest all of these restaurants, I also encourage you to search and find your favorites in the city! Most of the fun came from going with friends to try each place out, so whether it’s Tex-Mex, seafood, or Chinese, take time to find what you like and make it fun!

Allison Orr
Texas A&M AgriLife Federal Relations
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.

Are you spending your summer in D.C.? Getting overwhelmed on the 4th of July is easy to do between all of the parades, historical reenactment events, and concerts. While it can be easy to get swept up in the chaotic celebration, there are a few things you can do to make your day more enjoyable. 

Go to Target, and buy a Cheap Foldable Chair

I know this one seems unnecessary, but after four hours of sitting on a miniature concrete curb no higher than five inches off the ground, I can assure you it is worth it. There is a Target just two Metro stops away from the student housing in Pentagon City, and you can get a chair with a strap for $15 that you can use for the parade and the fireworks.

Go see the Signing of the Declaration of Independence

Each year, the National Archives holds a reenactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The reenactment is a lot of fun; people will cheer as the Founding Fathers sign the Declaration of Independence, kids will run with American flags, and dogs will wear their most patriotic clothing. Watching the reenactment also allows you to hold a spot for the parade, which starts just a few hundred feet before the National Archives.

Tips for Fireworks on the Capitol Steps

Now for the coolest part by far. If you want to have an extremely patriotic 4th of July, this is a can’t miss opportunity. It doesn’t get much more American than watching Fireworks from the Capitol steps while listening to the National Anthem. Here are a few tips for your night:

• The steps open at 3; absolutely do not get there at 3. You should show up about 30 minutes before the concert, or you will be sweating and sunburned by the time anything happens.
• Be sure and take the foldable chair you got from target. Marble does not make for a comfortable seat.
• Find a group of friends to go with you, or make friends when you get there.

The 4th of July in D.C. could certainly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so use these tips to make the most of it. What excites you the most about the 4th of July in D.C.?

Grant Miller
Office of Congressman John Carter
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.