Whitley Rut – Nebraska Corn – Lincoln, Nebraska

July Update

Wow — I chatted with another Nebraska Corn intern the other day, and we both couldn’t believe it was already time for our July update. It feels like just yesterday I was writing my June recap and just settling into the role. Now, I really feel like part of the team and have had the chance to dig into some exciting work and grow professionally.

Over the past month, I have been busy connecting with local corn grower association presidents to coordinate logistics for their summer events – everything from golf tournaments to trap shoots. I compiled and mailed postcards, sent out promotional emails, updated event information on the NeCGA website and created social media events and posts to help boost visibility. I have learned a lot about how local outreach and member engagement really works behind the scenes. It’s been rewarding to play a role in supporting local corn grower associations across the state and helping bring their events together.

I have also become very familiar with the NeCGA Facebook and X pages, where I regularly post content to keep our audience informed and engaged. Through this, I have been able to further grow my skills in writing captions and designing graphics. From weekly CornTalk posts to updates from Corn Congress, I’ve gained a ton of experience in social media management.

One of my main weekly responsibilities is compiling the weekly update that is sent to NeCGA members — and after about nine weeks, I finally have all the steps for scheduling memorized! It took some time, but I finally have the process down — and hitting “send” doesn’t feel nearly as nerve-wracking as it once did.

To round out the month, I headed over to the Nebraska Rural Radio Network to do an interview with a fellow Nebraska Corn intern at the studio. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about broadcast media and connect with another member of the internship program. During the interview, I shared my agricultural background and the work I’ve been doing at NeCGA, but I also talked about the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication program at UNL. Thanks to that program, I felt extremely well-equipped and confident tackling the tasks assigned during this internship. While I’m continuing to develop my communication skills here at Nebraska Corn, I’m grateful to be able to apply what I’ve learned through coursework to add value to communication projects.

As I look ahead to the rest of my summer, I am excited to attend several local association events. I look forward to networking and connecting in person with members and farmers I’ve been working with virtually. Additionally, the Corn Grower Open is coming up on August 8, and I am getting anxious to see all of my behind-the-scenes work come together that day. I’ll be doing some media coverage, including an Instagram story takeover, taking photos and interviewing participants for promotional content throughout the day.

This month, I’ve been learning how important the little details are – from double-checking invites and planning social media content in advance. It’s been rewarding to see how my work contributes to the bigger picture and the goals of Nebraska Corn, whether that’s by informing members or helping support events. I am looking forward to closing out the summer strong – and maybe even improving my golf knowledge along the way!

June Update

Where Passion Meets Purpose: My Ag Story

My name is Whitley Rut, and I’m from Arthur, Nebraska. Arthur is a small town nestled in the heart of the Sandhills, and “rural” is the perfect way to describe it. Growing up, being part of agriculture wasn’t just common—it was the foundation of our lifestyle. I have deep roots in the industry. My family owns and operates a ranch where I’m a second-generation producer. We run a cow/calf operation, feed cattle and grow corn. My mother is the agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor at our local school—the same school where I graduated alongside just eight classmates. Our 6-man football team remains a source of pride for the entire county.

I have an inborn fondness for where I grew up and for the opportunities provided through agriculture. I’ve always known I wanted to stay connected to the industry, and I’m passionate about using my skills in writing, photography and design to contribute in a meaningful way. That passion allowed me to find my purpose and led me to pursue a degree in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication with a minor in Agribusiness at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. I saw it as the perfect way to combine my creative interests with my agriculture background. Through strategic communication efforts, I hope to be a voice for agriculture and help bridge the gap between producers and consumers.

This summer, I’m incredibly excited to be interning with Nebraska Corn. It’s an opportunity to take what I’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to real-world communication efforts that support Nebraska’s corn industry. I look forward to learning from professionals in the field, gaining hands-on experience and continuing to grow as both a communicator and an advocate for agriculture.

June Update

It’s hard to believe I’m already over a month into my internship with Nebraska Corn—it’s been a great experience so far! I’m serving as the Communications and Outreach Intern here in Lincoln, and each week brings new opportunities to learn and grow.

One of the biggest adjustments this summer has been living in Lincoln year-round. I’m accustomed to being here during the school year, but I’m from a small town with a population of 120, and it’s definitely a change of pace. I’m used to being home for the summer to recharge, and while I know Lincoln traffic isn’t bad by big-city standards, coming from a town with no stop lights and streets made of gravel, it is intense to me!

Luckily, my internship with Nebraska Corn has made it completely worth it! I am passionate about all things agriculture and communications, which has made this internship experience perfectly suited for me.

My daily work includes creating social media graphics, writing copy, and compiling the NeCGA weekly newsletter update. These projects have provided me with the opportunity to apply my communication skills in a real-world setting, allowing me to continue growing and refining my abilities. I’ve also started assisting local corn grower associations with event invitations, which has allowed me to get more involved in outreach efforts.

Additionally, I’ve assisted with event logistics, including planning details for the upcoming Summer Ag Tour for the Corn and Soy Ambassadors. This experience has been a great introduction to the event planning process, especially as I prepare to take on a larger role in organizing the Corn Grower Open this August. I’m looking forward to the challenge and excited to help make the event memorable and successful for everyone involved!

Looking forward to the upcoming months in my internship, there are many things to be excited about. In July, I am looking forward to assisting Jill with the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) presentation. As a former NAYI delegate, I was first introduced to the numerous commodity organizations in the state, including Nebraska Corn. I am excited to return this experience to younger generations of agriculturists.

As previously mentioned, the Corn Grower Open will be taking place on August 8th, and it’s shaping up to be a major highlight of my internship. I’m especially excited to be involved in this event, as it offers a great opportunity to further develop my skills in event planning and outreach.

Another exciting event on the horizon is the Corn and Soy Ambassador Summer Ag Tour, scheduled for August 18th. I’m eager to visit several key agricultural organizations, including Frontier Cooperative, Beck’s Hybrids, KRVN, The Combine, and more! Connecting with leaders from these organizations has been insightful, and putting the tour together has been a lot of fun. I look forward to coordinating a fun and engaging day for the program members while continuing to learn about the many facets of Nebraska’s agriculture industry.

Getting to know the team at the Nebraska Corn office has been a valuable and rewarding experience. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the important work being done and the meaningful impact it has on the Nebraska corn industry. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity. This first month has laid a strong foundation, and it’s reminded me why I chose a path in agricultural communication. I’m excited to continue learning, connecting and contributing in meaningful ways in the weeks to come.