Whitley Rut – Nebraska Corn – Lincoln, Nebraska

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.