A Summer of Advocacy and Impact: Pearl McDade's IL Corn Internship

Every summer, IL Corn is proud to host an intern to assist with policy and communications efforts while inspiring the next generation to pursue a career in agriculture. This year, the internship program did just that. Pearl McDade, who spent the past 10 weeks interning with IL Corn, is leaving with a deeper appreciation of the work of agricultural leaders in the field, office, and capitol hill. 

McDade started her summer preparing a presentation for Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom's Summer Ag Institutes (SAIs). These take place across the state and invite teachers to learn more about how to implement agriculture into their curriculum. They help bridge the gap between the farm and the classroom, with McDade covering topics such as types of corn grown in Illinois, the many uses of corn, conservation practices, and ethanol.

She shared her presentation at eight SAIs, reaching over 70 educators. She was also invited to speak to the Tazewell County Retired Teachers Association, where she spoke to over 100 past educators about the impact corn is making around the state. 

McDade also left an impact on IL Corn's agricultural education programs by redesigning a portion of the IL Corn website. This overhaul included the creation and redesign of a variety of resources, including lesson plans and promotional banners. By making it easier than ever to view the lessons, programming, and resources that IL Corn offers, even more educators across the state can connect with corn.

Another rewarding aspect of McDade's summer was connecting with farmers, interviewing past IL Corn interns, and researching corn’s many uses for IL Corn's ag news. She enjoyed this opportunity to strengthen her research and writing skills while learning more about agriculture and IL Corn’s history and impact.

The highlight of McDade's summer came towards the end of her internship, when she accompanied IL Corn board members and the Illinois FFA section presidents on a trip to Washington, D.C. While there, she attended the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA’s) corn congress, speaker events, and congressional office visits. 

"From sitting in on NCGA's communication and education action team to watching our farmer leaders discuss ethanol, trade, input costs, and more with elected officials, I was fascinated by just how many issues are encompassed by agriculture. Getting a closer look at how the IL Corn Growers Association advocates for its members was fascinating and inspiring," McDade said. 

McDade also got the opportunity to learn more about the IL Corn Marketing Board and the IL Corn Growers Association by attending their board meetings. These were great opportunities to learn more about how agricultural leaders make decisions for their communities. 

She was also fortunate enough to attend and interact with a variety of programs across the state, including a tour of the Marseilles lock and dam and Marquis ethanol plant, events with the Illinois Farm Families coalition, and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski's agricultural workforce development summit. 

"I couldn't have asked for a more engaging and hands-on way to spend my summer. I'm grateful for the leadership of IL Corn's staff and boards for showing me all that the ag world has to offer," McDade said.