As I made the journey almost 1000 miles from my home in California, I was nervous, apprehensive, and unsure about what awaited me in Wyoming. However, with the agriculture communications experience I had under my belt, I was undoubtedly excited and equipped for my Communications and Events Intern position with the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust.
Having little to no prior knowledge of land trusts and conservation easements, I was incredibly intimidated when I started. If not for the encouraging and understanding staff of the Land Trust and supportive Board of Directors, I would not have learned as much as I did or come to understand the significance of the Land Trust’s work and dedication to protecting Wyoming’s working agricultural lands.
I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with the team from the Land Trust. Working with such a passionate group of individuals was extremely rewarding, and it made all the difference in the work that I was doing alongside them. My professional skills have undeniably been enhanced throughout this experience because of the roles and tasks I was given throughout my internship. From getting to work on promotional material for the statewide day of giving, WyoGives, to working on behind-the-scenes execution of details for the Annual Roundup Fundraiser and Barbecue, I can confidently say that I have a new skill set within agriculture communications.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this internship’s design and communications aspects, my favorite parts of the job included seeing more of Wyoming than I had expected. I was incredibly privileged to meet with numerous landowners who shared their stories, expressing their experiences working with the Land Trust and how important it was to them to protect their land in perpetuity with conservation easements. I am deeply grateful for the landowner’s vulnerability in sharing their family legacies with me, which fostered interpersonal connections and left a lasting impact on me. One of the reasons why I am so passionate about agriculture communications is because it allows me to connect with people on a deeper level and share the stories at the heart of this industry.
I can easily say that I felt at home throughout my internship with the Land Trust, and I will forever cherish the memories I made during my time here. I have gained the utmost respect for the state, the people, and the culture that lives vibrantly throughout Wyoming. As my internship ends and I head back to my coastal home state, there is no doubt that a part of Wyoming has been instilled in me forever, and I am humbled to have been given this opportunity.
With sincere heartfelt gratitude and thanks,
Alexandria Ramirez
Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust
2024 Communications and Events Intern
