A group of students in Oklahoma State University’s Ferguson College of Agriculture recently spent their summer gaining hands-on experience and insights into government, policy and agricultural advocacy in Washington, D.C.
Trell Amoss, Riley Gilreath, Amara Jackson, and Kennedy Seals recently completed prestigious legislative internships on Capitol Hill, supported by financial assistance from the Ferguson College to help cover associated expenses.
Amoss is a junior studying agribusiness from Albia, Iowa. He served as the government affairs intern for the National Pork Producers Council. In this role, he tracked relevant legislative and congressional hearings, relayed information to stakeholders and collaborated with staff economists to analyze and interpret market trends and data.
Amoss said his interest in policy was sparked by seeing its direct impact on his family’s operation. While attending the 2024 Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference, he learned about this internship opportunity, he added.
“Working with the National Pork Producers Council and experiencing the energy of Capitol Hill confirmed my passion for agricultural policy and law,” he said. “It’s given me direction as I return to the Ferguson College to focus on building the skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact in those areas.”
Gilreath, an agribusiness senior from Avery, Texas, was a congressional agriculture policy intern for Rep. Frank Lucas. She spent her summer researching agricultural policy to provide deeper insight and analysis for her team, attending House and Senate committee hearings, and leading tours for and sharing information with constituents, she said.
Her time as a congressional intern strengthened her passion for public service, Gilreath said.
“This experience has truly been life-changing,” she said. “It’s been inspiring to see how much public servants care about the people they represent, and this experience has shown me I belong in this space and that with hard work, anyone can help make meaningful change.”
Amara Jackson, an agribusiness junior from Durand, Michigan, interned with the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, where she attended committee briefings and hearings, engaged with stakeholders, representatives and committee staff, and shadowed Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas.
Jackson said the biggest takeaway from her internship is the importance of relationships when building professional experiences and connections.
“While being knowledgeable is certainly important, I’ve learned that being approachable, open-minded and willing to take on any task makes a lasting impression,” she said. “Embracing these mindsets allowed me to make the most of my experience, and the relationships I’ve built during this time have had a meaningful and lasting impact on me.”
Kennedy Seals is a senior studying biochemistry and molecular biology from Richmond, Indiana. She was the public policy intern for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. During her time in D.C., she attended congressional hearings, tracked regulatory updates and integrated legislative information into policy documents.
Seals said her involvement in the Ferguson College has broadened her perspective in agriculture and helped her develop communication skills to engage in meaningful, advocacy-driven conversations.
“My experience in D.C. has helped me build a greater understanding of the intricate processes that operate simultaneously to help establish new tools, resources and protections for agriculture in the U.S.,” she said. “This internship has taught me that the agricultural industry is full of opportunities to turn passion into a career.”
The Ferguson College of Agriculture believes in the value of hands-on education and the importance of having a well-rounded student experience. The college’s award-winning faculty members are dedicated to developing students and are passionate about adding value to the total educational experience. With 16 majors, a variety of study options and more than 60 student organizations, the college is committed to expanding minds and inspiring purpose. Learn more at agriculture.okstate.edu
