GENEX Announces New Internship Program

By Briana Schumacher, Director of Dairy Sales District, GENEX

GENEX focuses on bringing members and customers not only quality products but quality people as well. This summer, these two focus areas are combined in a new initiative – a new internship program for students passionate about the dairy industry!

For 10 weeks, some of the next generation's top talent will focus on the GENEX herd care products – such as RumiLife® CAL24™ nutritional supplement – and the benefits these products bring to producers. The interns will meet with members and customers in specific geographies across the USA, gain real-world job experience, and increase their dairy industry knowledge.

Please welcome the 2019 Herd Care Line interns and look to them for special product promotions throughout the summer! Read more about each intern below.

Austin Wright, Purdue University

Austin was born and raised in Greencastle, Indiana, a small town west of Indianapolis. He grew up on a small family farm. In the past 20 years he and his family have dabbled in many species. For a short time they raised pigs, goats and beef cattle. Today, they raise what the family has for generations: show lambs and Ayrshires.

In high school, Austin was involved in 4-H and FFA, filling leadership roles with both organizations. This spring, he’s finishing his sophomore year at Purdue University, studying agribusiness with a focus on finance and pursuing certificates in both entrepreneurship and industrial selling. At the university, he is involved with the Agribusiness Club, Block & Bridle and the swine interest group. He also worked at the university sheep farm. Off campus, he has worked at the Hickory Hall Polo Club and Hill View Arabians. Upon graduation, he hopes to find a career in agriculture sales or lending. This summer, he looks forward to working with GENEX members and customers in Michigan.

Samuel Looper, California State University

Samuel is completing his sophomore year at California State University-Fresno where he is majoring in agricultural education with an emphasis in animal science. While attending Fresno State, he enjoys competing in speaking and career development contests like the California’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Association discussion meet. Samuel is also an officer in the Fresno State Young Cattlemen’s Club and Block & Bridle Club. In addition, he works with the school to put on leadership development trainings for prospective students.

He’s involved outside the classroom too. Between high school and college, he took a year off to serve as a California State FFA Officer. He also interned with Veregaal Brothers, Inc. and worked at a beef feedlot and cow/calf operation.

Post-graduation, Samuel wants to work in sales within California's dairy or beef cattle sectors. He is excited to start his GENEX internship and work with producers in California and the Northwest.

Laura Frye, South Dakota State University

Laura hails from Logansport, Indiana, and is completing her senior year at South Dakota State University (SDSU) to earn her bachelor’s degree in dairy science and minor in food safety. During college, she was an active member in the SDSU Dairy Club, worked at the SDSU dairy farm and showed SDSU Brown Swiss cattle at the South Dakota State Fair.

During her time in 4-H and FFA, Laura developed her prefix of registered Brown Swiss cows, Miami Hills Swiss. She enjoyed showing her Brown Swiss show cows at local, state and national shows including World Dairy Expo. This past summer, at the National Brown Swiss Convention, Laura was named the senior showman, had the top genomic merit heifer and earned the youth achievement award. She also served as the Indiana Brown Swiss Queen in 2014 and 2017.

Following completion of the internship, working with GENEX members in Eastern Wisconsin, Laura aspires to find a career in the dairy industry.