by Aubrie Waldron
General managers from AgReserves Inc. made visits on Tuesday to Utah State's agriculture classes to recruit plant science and agribusiness students for internships. In the evening, the employees held an information session where students from the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences could network and ask questions about intern opportunities.
"We count pretty heavily on Utah State for competent employees," said Don Slight, cooperate manager of AgReserves. Slight explained that working for their company is different than working on a family farm in the sense that it's a corporate company and that employees have opportunities to work their way up the career ladder and make continuous professional progression.
"We don't intend to hire a lot of you and have half of you fail," Slight said. "We intend to train you so that you all succeed."
According to James Strong, general manager of a branch of AgReserves called Desert Farms, one reason why they target USU is because it's the only university in the state that offers a degree in agribusiness. Students in this program learn the financing, marketing, and management of food production. An agricultural based plant science degree can only be earned in Utah through USU as well. This degree focuses on researching the production and management of economically important plants.
General managers from AgReserves Inc. made visits on Tuesday to Utah State's agriculture classes to recruit plant science and agribusiness students for internships. In the evening, the employees held an information session where students from the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences could network and ask questions about intern opportunities.
"We count pretty heavily on Utah State for competent employees," said Don Slight, cooperate manager of AgReserves. Slight explained that working for their company is different than working on a family farm in the sense that it's a corporate company and that employees have opportunities to work their way up the career ladder and make continuous professional progression.
"We don't intend to hire a lot of you and have half of you fail," Slight said. "We intend to train you so that you all succeed."
According to James Strong, general manager of a branch of AgReserves called Desert Farms, one reason why they target USU is because it's the only university in the state that offers a degree in agribusiness. Students in this program learn the financing, marketing, and management of food production. An agricultural based plant science degree can only be earned in Utah through USU as well. This degree focuses on researching the production and management of economically important plants.
Nathan Whipple, who is studying plant science, said that interning for AgReserves would be a great opportunity to get hands on experience.
"It's an in-field operation versus a classroom lecture," Whipple said. "In Utah we focus on alfalfa, row crops and potatoes. There you learn about almonds and citrus fruits. It's something that can really grow your spectrum of plant science knowledge."
Agronomy and soil research specialist Robert Newhall, who also teaches soil conservation courses, said that he is impressed with how AgReserves runs their cooperations.
"Internships are the future," Newhall said. "Students who take advantage of this opportunity will be propelling their future in a positive direction."
"It's an in-field operation versus a classroom lecture," Whipple said. "In Utah we focus on alfalfa, row crops and potatoes. There you learn about almonds and citrus fruits. It's something that can really grow your spectrum of plant science knowledge."
Agronomy and soil research specialist Robert Newhall, who also teaches soil conservation courses, said that he is impressed with how AgReserves runs their cooperations.
"Internships are the future," Newhall said. "Students who take advantage of this opportunity will be propelling their future in a positive direction."
Interviews for internship positions were held Wednesday afternoon.
"If you want to drive a tractor don't come work for us," Strong said. "We want what you learned in school. We want your mind."
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