Christian Peterson
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) has an important role across Florida, including the farming communities in North Florida.
Each year, the FFB hosts interns throughout its offices across the state, and this year is no different. The program is open to students who are enrolled in graduate or undergraduate education and are majoring in agriculture or other related industries. There are a multitude of internship options throughout the FFB’s eight departments. The eight departments are as follows: executive office/legal/agriculture education services and technology; agriculture policy/national affairs; local government affairs; state legislative affairs; public relations; federation accounting; Florida agriculture marketing; and field services.
There are multiple tracks in each of the departments. For example, in field services track one is event planning and management. In agriculture policy, track one is policy development process. Public relations has an event planning track and the AEST includes a policy and operating procedures development track. The programs will last between eight to 12 weeks.
“Please check each track carefully,” the FFB website says. “Make sure you can commit the time during the stated period of internship.” To qualify for the program, applicants must be enrolled in a post-secondary institution. “Preference will be given to students majoring in agriculture and related disciplines.” On top of that, applicants are required to have basic knowledge of business operations, an interest in citizens’ lobbying initiatives and possession of good communication skills.
Interns will be compensated for their work through a temp service. The rate is set at $11 per hour. There is a maximum of 240 hours available in each internship. Additionally, “managers will provide a written assessment of each interns work performance during their assignment,” the FFB website states.
To apply to the program, applicants need a resume and cover letter. The cover letter should indicate the applicant's preferred track. They also need a current college or university transcript and two letters of recommendation. If an individual is interested in the public relations tracks they must also provided two writing samples.
Applications are open from Monday, Jan. 9, to Friday, Feb. 10. To apply, visit the FFB website at floridafarmbureau.org, or contact Jason Mathis, the assistant director of agricultural policy, at (352) 384-2612.