ARA 2024 Summer Intern

Hello, everyone! My name is Jordan Gilles, and I am thrilled to introduce myself as the 2024 summer intern at the Agricultural Retailers Association!

Growing up on a beef farm in Cadott, Wisconsin, agriculture has always been at the heart of my life. The experiences and lessons I have gained from my family’s farm profoundly shaped my passion for the agriculture industry and my desire to contribute to its growth and sustainability. 

Currently, I’m a Senior at Cornell University studying Animal Science with minors in Food & Agricultural Business and Public Policy. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I plan to continue to my master’s degree in public policy to pursue a career in agricultural policy. 

I am truly grateful for my experiences leading up to my opportunity to work with ARA, especially in various agricultural organizations that have further fueled my passion for the industry. My involvement in Sigma Alpha, a professional agricultural sorority, as well as serving as an ambassador for Agriculture Future of America have allowed me to advocate for agricultural opportunities among my peers and further develop my professional skills. 

Last summer, I served as a senate intern for the Wisconsin Legislature, where I gained valuable insights into the legislative processes and policy matters that I hope to apply to this internship to learn more about agricultural policy and its impact on our industry. I am incredibly excited to join the ARA team this summer and immerse myself in learning more about the organization and its members. I look forward to contributing my skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm to support ARA’s mission of advancing the interests of agricultural retailers and their farmer customers. 

Thank you for welcoming me into the ARA community! I am eager to connect with you all and contribute to the continued success of our industry. 

Concluding Remarks:

As my summer internship with ARA comes to a close, I've had the privilege to attend several lunch and learns in the past couple of weeks, such as with the National Corn Growers Association and the National Milk Producers Federation, which provided valuable insights into the work these associations do to support their respective industries and offered a great opportunity to connect with industry professionals.

My experience with ARA this summer has been incredibly rewarding, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have served ARA's members and contribute to the future of this industry.