Whitley County High School alumnus Leslie Monhollen is one of 12 college students interning this summer at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) assisting KDA employees and Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell in helping residents from across the state with agricultural needs.
Monhollen, who is working in the department’s Office of Agriculture Marketing, will be a senior this fall at the University of Kentucky, where she is majoring in agricultural education and advocacy, and minoring in animal sciences and agricultural economics.
“KDA’s internship program offers college students an opportunity to work side-by-side with our employees and agriculture community for a unique experience,” Shell said. “This mentorship program can help launch careers in ag-related fields by providing a great advantage to those who want to continue in agriculture.”
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s summer internship program has provided opportunities for students to gain first-hand experience, knowledge, and understanding of the governmental process through pre-professional work in various occupational fields. KDA offers internships to students studying majors both directly and indirectly relating to agriculture.
Career paths of current and former interns include, but are not limited to, agriculture, education, computer science, marketing, public relations, and pre-law.
KDA interns work with KDA employees learning the various programs of the departments that make up KDA, allowing them to gain insight into considering a future career within the ag industry and with KDA.
This year’s interns have attended livestock shows, proclamations, conferences, and attended interviews with department employees. In addition, interns have worked closely with employees to develop social media promotions, help teach the public about farm safety, and work with the senior’s market and the junior chef programs.
