A Bittersweet Goodbye

Written by: Guest   |   August 3, 2023

By: Emma Bower, AFIA communications intern

“Time flies when you are having fun.” - Albert Einstein

“All good things must come to an end.” -Geoffrey Chaucer

Two very cliché quotes that perfectly describe this chapter in my life. I have thoroughly enjoyed interning at the American Feed Industry Association this summer and know it has prepared me for the next portion of my life. It is a very bittersweet feeling. I’m excited to start my last year of college but sad to be leaving this great organization!

This summer was amazing and even though I worked from home, here in Ohio, I had the opportunity to travel to the office twice during my internship. During both of my visits, I experienced so many amazing events I never thought I would otherwise. My very first week was during the AFIA Board meeting and legislative fly-in. It was a long week but fulfilling in so many ways. I got to meet everyone from the office and AFIA’s Board members, watching them in action being members VOICE on Capitol Hill -- a once in a lifetime experience. Listening to how passionate these people are about so many crucial problems was truly inspiring, and I was beyond grateful to soak in the information. 

My second visit consisted of member visits, chocolate and a lot of laughs. I loved being able to connect one-on-one with a few coworkers and hear about their amazing interactions through the AFIA. I only attended two member visits during my summer, but I could tell how meaningful they were. Members and the AFIA can form a closer bond, work better together and get the most out of the relationship during a member visit. Listening to our members’ concerns and telling them how they can be more involved helps us make their experience more worthwhile.

This summer I wrote blog posts, helped write email blasts, created social media posts, helped update the IFEEDER website and took pictures while in D.C. Writing blog posts and creating social media content were my two favorite things this summer. I enjoyed writing blog posts because of how different each one was, and I wasn’t required to write 10 pages like I have to in school. I always knew I liked working with social media, but I really enjoyed drafting and creating posts for AFIA. I liked reading about all the different stories happening in the industry, and then being able to share them with the public. 

I applied for this internship hoping to learn more about communications, and the legislative and regulatory policy side as well. I knew that working in the field would be a lot different than just learning about it in school, but it came as a shock to me learning how different a work environment is from a school environment. I also knew this internship would be different than most and expand my knowledge about the agriculture industry, and it truly challenged me in so many beneficial ways.

Both times visiting D.C., I had extra days, so I was able to go sightseeing. I visited the Arlington cemetery, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and so much more! It was definitely an interesting experience being in the big city, especially as a small-town, country girl. Learning how to use the metro and the buses was a total struggle the first day or so, but after that, I felt like a pro, even though I guarantee I still looked like a lost puppy. 

I will be going back to The Ohio State University for my last year to complete my agriculture communications major and farm management minor, graduating in the spring of 2024. I want to thank every single person at the AFIA for being so kind and helpful during my summer, I’m so grateful for the help I received from you all! A special shoutout to the communications team, Victoria, Lacie and Raamezah, for taking me in right away and always extending a helping hand when needed, I could not have done it without you three (literally!!). 

Thank you, AFIA, you have truly changed my life for the better.