Agriculture Program

Virginia Farm Bureau, the voice of Virginia’s agricultural community and the largest property and casualty insurance company based in Virginia, is looking for motivated students who are seeking careers in political science and agriculture, communications, video production, writing, marketing and education.

Agriculture in the Classroom

This vibrant department provides elementary and middle school teachers with training and materials to incorporate agriculture into their classroom lesson plans in support of Virginia’s Standards of Learning. AITC conducts as many as 40 training workshops each year to show teachers how they can integrate agriculture into their curriculum.

The intern will work with the AITC education program coordinators to create lesson plans and develop some lessons in which learners seek out their information online; research newsletter topics; update the AITC Web site; and provide workshop support.

Requirements: a rising senior working toward an education degree; and a knowledge of the state’s SOLs.
For more information, visit AgInTheClassroom.org.

Communications

The VFB communications department publicizes agriculture through its membership magazines, television program, Web presence and various brochures, newsletters and press releases.

During a 12-week internship in the department, an intern will get hands-on experience in either the field of video production or public relations writing

Video/Writing: A video intern will assist in the production of “Down Home Virginia,” Farm Bureau’s monthly TV program that airs on 41 cable and broadcast stations across the state. It also airs on three PBS affiliates and on the RFD-TV satellite channel. The intern also may assist with a wide range of video programming to the Internet.

A writing intern will work on articles for Farm Bureau’s member magazines, which reach more than 147,000 households. The intern also will write news releases and prepare short news articles for a weekly dispatch to Farm Bureau’s media contacts across Virginia.

Requirements: some day travel; the ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines; and a willingness to learn and take on real-world work responsibilities. Candidates for the writing internship must provide writing samples. Video interns must provide demo reels on a DVD or via the Internet.

Marketing

The company’s sales and marketing department supports and promotes Farm Bureau’s insurance company, which provides service to more than 147,000 members. The summer intern will work closely with the marketing division on projects designed to promote Virginia Farm Bureau and increase its name recognition across the state. The intern also will work on projects geared toward increasing sales in specific counties—learning how to partner with local businesses, monitor the competition, create ads and sharpen public relations skills.

Requirements:a rising senior majoring in marketing; experience outside the classroom—either on the job or in a marketing club or organization—and the ability to work in Richmond during the summer.

Governmental Relations

This department is responsible for working with farmer members on researching local, state and national issues to help determine which issues the county Farm Bureaus would like the state organization to support. In addition, members of the department attend legislative and regulatory meetings and study committees to represent members’ adopted policy positions. When requested, the employees make presentations on policy issues and work on surfacing ideas for news stories on Farm Bureau priority issues.

In even years, the intern will research information for local, state and national issues and attend various legislative and regulatory meetings to observe the role of a governmental relations staff member. In odd years, the intern will focus primarily on coordinating and organizing grassroots activities with the political action committee.

Requirements: a student working toward a degree in agriculture or political science (agriculture and applied economics preferred); knowledge of the election process; basic understanding of the agriculture industry; and a willingness to learn.