Twelve college students will work beside KDA employees to gain experience, insight.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 1, 2025) – Twelve college students are interning this summer at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) assisting KDA employees and Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell help residents across the state with agricultural needs.
“KDA’s internship program offers college students an opportunity to work side-by-side with our employees and agriculture community for a unique experience,” Commissioner 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 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.
This year’s interns are:
Abigail Barrett, Lexington, attending University of Kentucky
Taylor Bishop, Springfield and Greensburg, attending Morehead State University
Shelby Butler, Mount Washington, attending University of Kentucky
Emily Chunglo, Harrodsburg, attending Western Kentucky University
Rachel Cowherd, Campbellsville, attending University of Kentucky
Callie Hudson, Versailles, attending University of Tennessee
Dylan Foster, Florence, attending Morehead State University
Sayde Lowe, Murray, attending Murray State University
Davis Miller, Lexington, attending Wofford College
Leslie Monhollen, Williamsburg, attending University of Kentucky
Mary Brooke Stith, Brandenburg, attending Murray State University
Emily Tabor, Garfield, attending Western Kentucky University
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture welcomed 12 college interns this summer to work alongside KDA employees gaining insight into the agriculture field. Pictured are, from left, is Davis Miller, Emily Tabor, Taylor Bishop, Shelby Butler, Leslie Monhollen, Dylan Foster, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, Mary Brooke Stith, Rachel Cowheard, Abigail Barrett, Callie Hudson, Emily Chunglo, and Sayde Lowe.
(Madison Pergrem – Kentucky Department of Agriculture)