12-27 FB Ag Interns

The Far West Agribusiness Association recently launched a new feature on its website to match companies with college interns looking to break into the agriculture business. Association executive director Jim Fitzgerald said the program grew out of a board meeting discussion about the number of baby boomers who will retire in the next five to 10 years. Association executive director Jim Fitzgerald Told me that historically, agribusiness executives wanted people who knew agriculture inside and out. "How do you fill these positions?" he said. "Everybody would like somebody who grew up on a farm, has that work ethic and basic background knowledge of how things work on a farm, but there's getting to be fewer and fewer of those people. Education is good, but often students lack real-world experience.” The internship becomes more important as a "test-drive" of sorts for both the company and for the student. Students upload their cover letter and resume to the Far West website, and companies seeking interns can post their information. Companies must agree to pay the interns and work with universities, which provide college credit. Fitzgerald said the program is designed to be low-maintenance. The association, headquartered in Spokane, contacted 66 two- and four-year colleges in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington for interns. About 125 businesses belong to the association.