One of the most rewarding opportunities at Virginia Farm Bureau Federation is the summer internship program. Not only do the students gain valuable experience, but the staff benefits from fresh perspectives and ideas brought by the interns.

Past interns have gone on to successful careers in various fields such as advocacy, association management, research and state government, which is a testament to the program’s effectiveness. Stefanie Taillon and Martha Moore, for example, started their journey as interns in the Virginia Farm Bureau’s Governmental Relations Department and are now play key staff roles in that same department.

This year we have two interns working with staff. Both have been doing a wonderful job and we want to share a little about them.

Haley Bennett

Raised on her family farm in New Market, Virginia, Haley Bennett’s earliest memories involve steering the Gator while sitting on her grandmother’s lap and checking the chicken houses for any black or speckled chicks among the masses of yellow. 

She recently graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Political Science and two history minors. Haley has always appreciated the agriculture industry, but only when she left home did she gain an entirely new perspective and appreciation for agriculture policy. She served as an intern in Virginia Tech’s Hokies on the Hill program, where she discovered an entirely new side of agriculture. During her time in Washington, she learned the importance of policy and the effects it has downstream. 

Through her internship with Farm Bureau this summer, she is working with the Government Relations Department on AgPAC where she is gaining a better understanding Virginia politics and the policy impacting agriculture.

Jacob Ver Beek

Growing up in Chesterfield County, Virginia, Jacob Ver Beek’s surroundings were more suburban than rural. However, from a young age, he had a fascination with agriculture.

Jacob is currently a student at Virginia Tech where he is pursuing an Agricultural Business degree with a minor in Global Food Security. During his time as a Hokie, he has taken advantage of every opportunity to learn more about agriculture. One of the most rewarding experiences he’s had so far was an internship with the World Food Programme in Cambodia, where he worked create a commercialization strategy for fortified rice.

Jacob is especially excited to work close to his hometown this summer while having the opportunity to experience many different facets and departments at Virginia Farm Bureau. After he completes his undergraduate degree, he hopes to continue his education at Virginia Tech and pursue a masters in Agriculture and Applied Economics.

The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s summer internship program continues to provide an exceptional opportunity for students and staff alike. We can’t wait to see what amazing things Haley and Jacob will accomplish in the future!