This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to go down to Ardmore, OK for a summer internship at the Noble Research Institute. What drew me to applying for this internship was a chance to broaden my skills by going to see how agriculture and range management practices vary in a different part of the country. It would also be the farthest I have traveled east, so I was very excited to get out and see new places. I had not heard of Noble before because they do most of their research and consulting in the Souther Great Plains, so I felt a little blind going in, but I couldn't have asked for a better summer experience. Everyone at Noble is very welcoming and that made moving across the country easier because I was able to get plugged in to a new community very easily.
Since I hadn't heard of them before I did not have much knowledge on the internship and what I would be doing. When I showed up I was quickly filled in and informed on all the new opportunities I was going to get exposed to! My main project was creating a ranch management plan focusing on grazing, brush management, weed control, and wildlife. On top of this I was able to go out with any of the consultants on farm visits, field days, and I essentially set up my own schedule of what I wanted to do while still getting my main project done. Being apart of my first prescribed fire, conducting pond surveys, and going on range/pasture farm visits were my favorite parts of the internship.
There are range/pasture, wildlife, livestock, soils/crop, and economic consultants that all bring their own experience and skills that make them one of the best places for a student to go and learn about their discipline and others. I would encourage any student that is looking for a top notch internship where you will get exposed to new things as well as make connections across the country to look into an Ag Scholar internship at the Noble Research Institute.
Click here for more information on the Nobile Research Institute.