Jaylea Pope – Nebraska Rural Radio Association – Lincoln, Nebraska

July Update

To say that time has flown by would be an understatement. Over the past month, I’ve continued to grow both personally and professionally, gaining new skills and confidence with every project and challenge that has come my way. Each day brings something new, keeping me on my toes and ensuring that no two days are ever quite the same.

While my daily responsibilities typically include recording a short radio news segment, producing a television news piece for NTV, and conducting various interviews, there are always unique assignments that add variety and excitement. I’ve come to appreciate the balance between routine tasks, where I can refine my foundational skills, and those unexpected challenges that push me out of my comfort zone. Truthfully, it’s the more difficult days that have become my favorite, because they force me to adapt, problem-solve, and grow in ways I didn’t expect.

One of the highlights this month was working alongside Bryce Doeschot to cover the AgTech Connect Conference. It was a fast-paced, hands-on experience where I stepped into the role of managing our social media presence throughout the day. I was responsible for capturing and posting real-time content, balancing that with conducting interviews and editing footage quickly so it could be shared while the event was still fresh.

In last month’s reflection, I mentioned attending the World Pork Expo. This time around, I had the chance to cover the Nebraska Pork Expo as my first solo assignment. It was a huge milestone in my internship experience. I had the honor of interviewing Governor Jim Pillen, Neal Hull, Director of Domestic Marketing for the National Pork Board, as well as several other industry leaders. Having the opportunity to conduct these interviews on my own and represent the team at a high-profile event helped me realize how much I’ve grown in terms of professionalism and poise.

I also had the chance to fill in on a few of our market segments, which was a whole new world for me. Let me just say, our markets team makes it look easy! Reading numbers, interpreting market movements, and delivering commentary with clarity are skills that take time and practice to master. This experience gave me a newfound respect for the work that goes into each market report and made me excited to keep learning.

Back in the studio, I’ve enjoyed helping with the 4-H spotlight interviews and starting to build my major project. As part of that initiative, I’ve interviewed all of the other Nebraska Corn Board interns and transformed those conversations into extended radio news segments. It’s been a great way to connect with fellow interns, learn about their experiences, and share their stories with a broader audience.

Additionally, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Kaitlin Meiergerd on a video project for the NCGA Yield Contest media toolkits. Working together on this creative piece allowed us to blend our strengths and have a lot of fun in the process.

Overall, this month has reinforced my passion for storytelling, agriculture, and broadcast journalism. Each new challenge has added a layer of confidence and capability to my skill set, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the last few weeks of this experience will bring.

June Update

Broadcasting Beyond the Mic: An Intern’s Perspective

They say the best way to learn is by doing. Over the past three weeks, I’ve embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly with the Rural Radio Network. From day one, I dove into the heart of agricultural journalism—covering the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s visit to Nebraska alongside seasoned broadcaster Steve White. This wasn’t just an assignment; it was an initiation into the dynamic world of farm broadcasting.

Each day brought new experiences. My first week felt like a whirlwind with almost a daily “field trip,” attending various events to gather stories, conduct interviews, and produce content. I hadn’t fully grasped the breadth of my involvement until I shared my experiences with my parents. I recounted meeting producers and industry professionals, learning to produce diverse media formats, and covering significant news events. My dad’s response was a proud, “You really get to do all of that as an intern?” To which I could confidently reply, “Yes!”

Agriculture storytelling has always been my passion, and this internship has allowed me to connect with individuals across the industry. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with the broadcast team members—Bryce, Alex, Steve, Chad, and Rebel—each offering unique insights and mentorship. My first interview was rather memorable as I sat down with Tony Castillo, a dietician from Florida, who attended the Nebraska Beef Council’s Nutrition Adventure Event. Another highlight was accompanying Chad Moyer to the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. There, I assisted in covering the event, conducting interviews, and creating social media content, further honing my skills in real-world settings. Also, joining Bryce and Alex to gather video content about autonomous tractors produced and tested here in Nebraska was just another example of a hands-on learning experience.

Steve aptly noted that regardless of whether I pursue farm broadcasting long-term, the skills I’m acquiring, such as storytelling, media production, and public engagement, are invaluable in any communications field. These experiences are shaping me into a more versatile and confident professional.
Moreover, hearing my voice on local radio stations and seeing my work on television has been a tangible reminder of the impact I’m making, even during this brief summer internship.

While I’ve accomplished much in these initial weeks, this is just the beginning. I’m eager to launch my major project, which will spotlight corn production in Nebraska and connect with corn growers statewide. I’m deeply grateful to the Nebraska Corn Board for this opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to serve and learn from Nebraska’s agricultural community.