For Immediate Release Contact:

Mariah Wollweber | 202-547-7800 | mwollweber@wheatworld.org

NAWG’s 2023 Summer Intern

Washington, D.C. (August 3, 2023) – This summer, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) hosted Thomas “Ray” Edwards as the government relations intern. Edwards is originally from Llano, TX, where he grew up being involved in the agricultural industry, with a background in cattle and wildlife management. Edwards is an incoming second-year graduate student majoring in Public Service and Administration at the Bush School of Government and Public Service. He completed his undergraduate degree in Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Science at Texas A&M University. He is involved in on-campus extracurricular activities, including the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Leadership Council and the Bush Board Fellows Program.

The summer was consumed by Farm Bill negotiations and a wide variety of projects that occurred over the course of Edward’s internship.

“Every day looks a little different when working for NAWG. It allowed me to dig deep into a wide array of topics that are essential to the continued success of wheat farmers across the United States,” said Edwards. “I am beyond grateful to NAWG staff for giving me the opportunity to complete this internship this summer, as it has fully opened my eyes to the need that the agricultural industry has for people defending them and their way of life here in Washington, D.C.”

Edwards is returning back to Texas to complete his final year of school. He plans to come back to Washington, D.C., shortly after graduating to pursue a career in agricultural lobbying in some capacity.

“Ray was instrumental in helping NAWG out with Farm Bill activities and other projects he was tasked with this summer,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “We really appreciate his contributions to our team during his internship and hope to see him back in D.C. continuing advocating for agriculture.”