Growing the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders

There’s only so much you can learn from a classroom.

Agriculture is a hands-on profession, and some of the best lessons happen in the field — whether that’s walking potato rows with an agronomist, learning how irrigation decisions are made or seeing firsthand what it takes to raise a healthy crop.

That’s why every summer, R.D. Offutt Farms welcomes college students to our farms through our agronomy internship program. It’s an opportunity for students to put their education into practice, ask questions, learn from experienced team members and gain a better understanding of modern potato farming.

Just as importantly, our interns bring energy, curiosity and a fresh perspective to the farm. We enjoy watching them grow throughout the summer and are proud to play a small role in helping them build careers in agriculture.

This summer, we’re excited to welcome four students from across the country:

• Annaliese Dockter, a student at the University of Minnesota Crookston studying agricultural business, is joining the Wadena team.
• Maggie Moehn, an agronomy major at Iowa State University, is spending her summer in Wadena.
• Matthew Meyer, a Texas A&M student studying plant and environmental soil science, is working with the Park Rapids team this summer.
• Chase Buoy, a student at Kansas State University pursuing a degree in agronomy, is lending his skills to our farm in Park Rapids.

“I was once an intern myself, so I know how valuable hands-on experience can be,” said Annika Merkens, R.D. Offutt Farms agronomist and internship program coordinator. “Our goal is to give students meaningful opportunities to learn, ask questions and build confidence while gaining a firsthand look at what goes into growing a successful potato crop.”

The internship program typically runs from late May through early August, giving students the opportunity to spend an entire growing season learning alongside our agronomy and farm teams. In addition to earning an hourly wage, interns are eligible for a scholarship each summer they complete the program.

Throughout the summer, interns spend time scouting fields, collecting crop data, observing irrigation and fertility practices, and learning how day-to-day decisions affect crop health, yield and quality. They also learn how to work as part of a team, communicate their observations and develop recommendations based on what they’re seeing in the field.

At R.D. Offutt Farms, we believe agriculture has always been about sharing knowledge and helping the next generation succeed. Investing in young people isn’t just good for our farms—it’s good for the future of agriculture.

A summer internship may only last a few months, but we hope the lessons learned, relationships built and experiences gained stay with these students long after they leave the farm. And who knows? Maybe a summer spent in potato country will inspire a lifelong career in agriculture.