By Courtney Leeper Girgis, ACN Future Ag Communicators Committee Co-Chair
The Ag Communicators Network’s Future Ag Communicators Committee received a record 15 applications in this year’s scholarship program.
Applications came from students studying agricultural communications at:
● Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
● Iowa State University
● Kansas State University
● Mississippi State University
● Ohio State University
● Oklahoma State University
● South Dakota State University
● Tarleton State University
● Texas Tech University
● University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The top three finalists will each be reimbursed up to $1,000 to travel and attend Ag Media Summit, where they will interview for the Dr. James Evans Scholarship in the amount of $3,000. The two runner-up finalists will each receive the Past Presidents Scholarship in the amount of $2,000.
The Dr. James Evans Scholarship is made possible by an endowment from Lyle E. Orwig, ACN member. The Past Presidents Scholarship and stipends are made possible by the Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF).
We’ll be announcing the winners at the AMS Student Luncheon.
In the meantime, let’s meet our finalists:
Maddie Weber
Hometown: St. Charles, Missouri
University/Major: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, double majoring in agronomy and agricultural communications
Expected graduation: May 2027
What area of agricultural communications most interests you?
I’m interested in many areas of ag communications, and I’ve worked to develop them through my internships. My biggest interests are photography, videography and writing. Overall, I just love telling the stories of agriculture through whatever platform is most applicable.
What are your summer internship/career- or leadership-related plans?
This summer, I will be working as the agricultural broadcasting and digital relations intern for the Rural Radio Network. I’m excited to learn more about broadcasting and videography by traveling across Nebraska!
Mindy Wells
Hometown: Sharon, Kansas
University/Major: Kansas State University, majoring in agricultural and natural resources communications with a minor in advertising and public relations
Expected graduation: May 2027
What area of agricultural communications most interests you?
The areas of agricultural communications that interest me most are strategic communications and storytelling. I am am passionate about helping connect consumers, producers and agricultural organizations through meaningful communication that educates, informs and builds trust. I enjoy creating content through writing, social media, photography and marketing campaigns that showcase the people and industries behind agriculture. Whether I am covering industry events, developing social media content, or writing feature stories, I enjoy finding ways to tell agriculture’s story in an engaging, accessible way for a variety of audiences.
Growing up in Sharon, Kansas, where nearly 90% of the community is involved in agriculture, gave me a deep appreciation for the industry and the people who make it possible. Agriculture has always been more than an industry in my hometown; it is a way of life. Because of that, I am passionate about helping share the stories, ideas, and perspectives of farmers and ranchers. I believe their voices deserve to be heard, and I enjoy using communication to help bridge the gap between producers and consumers while highlighting the importance of agriculture in our everyday lives.
What are your summer internship/career- or leadership-related plans?
This summer, I am serving as a communications intern with the American Boer Goat Association, where I assist with content creation, social media management, event coverage, photography, videography and communications efforts surrounding the National Boer Goat Show and other association initiatives. Through this experience, I have gained valuable hands-on experience working with a national agricultural organization and communicating with members across the country.
In addition, I am serving as a communications intern with Kansas Sorghum, where I help develop content that promotes the sorghum industry and highlights the impact of Kansas agriculture. These experiences have strengthened my skills in agricultural storytelling, digital communications and industry advocacy while allowing me to build relationships with agricultural leaders and producers.
I also serve as the editor of Smoke & Mirrors: Ag Policy Unfiltered, a weekly podcast that breaks down agricultural policy and helps listeners better understand how policy affects producers and the agricultural industry. Additionally, I work as a photographer for the Junction City Brigade, where I capture community events and tell stories through visual media. Together, these opportunities have allowed me to expand my experience across multiple communication platforms while continuing to develop the skills necessary for a career in agricultural communications.
Tayla Wiedeman
Hometown: Eaton, Colorado
University/Major: Texas Tech University, majoring in agricultural communications with minors in agribusiness management and political science
Expected graduation: May 2028
What area of agricultural communications most interests you?
Of the many avenues of agricultural communications, policy and advocacy are where my interests fall. I want to be a positive voice at the state and national level for producers who are working every day to keep food on our tables and clothes on our backs.
What are your summer internship/career- or leadership-related plans?
After I complete my degree at Texas Tech, I hope to work for an agricultural organization on their marketing and communications as well as governmental affairs teams to help lobby at the state and national level and create materials to inform and educate agriculturalists and beyond. This summer, I am interning at a law firm that represents agricultural water districts in Northern Colorado. This fall, I will continue to seek internships to help build my skill set and grow my network for my career post-grad.
– Girgis is principal at Rooted Communications in Choctaw, Oklahoma