Washington, D.C. (August 9, 2017) – Today concluded the summer internship for Texas A&M intern Carolann (CJ) Wackerlin. Wackerlin has been working in NAWG’s office since the end of May, helping staff members with various tasks and learning about the policy making process.

“Having grown up on a corn and soybean farm in Northern Illinois I was thrilled to have gotten this internship with a major commodity lobbying group, and as the very first intern for NAWG through the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Program (ANRP) at Texas A&M I was excited to explore what this opportunity could offer me,” Wackerlin said. “I had the privilege of meeting and working with some great people; and the whole staff was wonderful about answering questions and sending me to various hearings and meetings. The experience I gained in writing press releases, op-eds, social media posts, and various other communications will be invaluable in my future career and I am so thankful for how this summer turned out.”

Wackerlin is an alum from Marquette Academy in Ottawa, IL and just graduated from Texas A&M University this past May with a degree in Animal Science. She will start law school at Northern Illinois University in just one week with the intention of working in agricultural law and policy after graduation.  Moving back to her hometown of Leland, IL will also allow her to help her father, Russell Wackerlin, on the farm and to start raising cattle of her own.

“CJ was a helpful addition to NAWG’s team this summer,” stated NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “She provided incredible support for our staff in working to pursue our priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill and was instrumental in the execution of the 2017 Wheat Summit. Particularly after our experience with CJ, NAWG looks forward to hosting future Texas A&M ANRP interns in our office.”