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Candice Clark
Candice spent nine weeks of the summer of 2004 interning in Washington, D.C. through the Georgia 4-H Washington Internship program. She spent one month working in the lobbying firm, Cornerstone Government Affairs, and the second month in the office of Congressman Jack Kingston working with former student, Emily Howard. While interning at the lobbying firm, Candice did research on subjects that ranged from hospital billing and collection practices to marketing to the federal government. She attended Senate and House hearings and briefings and was able to meet many of the agricultural clients of Cornerstone Government Affairs at receptions and various other functions. Her tasks in the office of Congressman Kingston were quite similar. She communicated Representative Kingston's stand on issues to his constituents by letter or phone, and also researched topics that included recent developments in the shrimp industry and anti-dumping regulations and the decline in the amphibian population. Candice used her leisure time in Washington to see several of the museums and monuments, and she attended service at the National Cathedral one Sunday. She traveled to Annapolis, Maryland to see the Naval Academy and then to Baltimore to see the Braves play the Orioles. Also, she and some friends drove to New York City to see the Yankees play baseball and enjoyed the Amish countryside in Pennsylvania. She also attended a Congressional baseball game in which the Republican members of the House played the Democratic members of the House. At a briefing on Ag Trade Policy, Candice met Ambassador Allen Johnson. On another occasion, she met Dick Morris, a key policy advisor during the Clinton Administration. Candice saw the Speaker of the House, Dennis Hassert and was awestruck "to pass by such an influential member of Congress." Prior to enrolling at the University of Georgia, Candice attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) and graduated with high honors in the fall of 2003. She was very active in various campus activities, including ABAC Ambassadors, Inter-Activities Council and she served as the ABAC Student Government Association President. She has been at UGA since spring of 2004 and was on the President's List for spring semester. She is a member of Collegiate 4-H, Ag Hill Council, Sigma Alpha, vice president of the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club, serves as a CAES Ambassador and enjoys attending Wesley. For the three summers prior to 2004, Candice served as a counselor at Rock Eagle 4-H Center where she enjoyed interacting with thousands of kids from all across the state. In the summer of 2003, she served as a leadership counselor at Rock Eagle. Spending the summer in Washington was the opportunity of a lifetime
for Candice. Having grown up on a family farm in rural South Georgia
in a household whose livelihood depended on successful cotton and peanut
crops, she has always had a strong desire to work with the agricultural
sector in some way. Her experiences in Washington have influenced Candice
in deciding to take a "behind the scenes approach" in working
on agricultural policy to ensure the security of American agriculture.
After college graduation, Candice hopes to attend law school and either
work with agricultural policy or become a professor for a college or
university.
Ken especially enjoyed his leisure-time activities in Washington. Two or three days each week, he attended receptions sponsored by various organizations where he met industry leaders, ate great food, and "generally had a good time." He enjoyed socializing with new friends he had met in Washington and joined a softball team which provided an exercise outlet. Most of their games were played on the National Mall between the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. Every Sunday Ken enjoyed cookouts given by the Georgia interns who invited people from all over the country (a prime example of Southern hospitality). Evenings were spent "on the Hill" or in Georgetown, and on weekends, Ken joined other interns exploring the city and visiting museums and monuments. While in Washington, Ken met a few "famous" people including Richard Petty, Georgia Senators Saxby Chambliss and Zell Miller, and Arizona Senator John McCain. Regarding his experience as a Washington intern, Ken states, "I know now that the legislative process is definitely something I am interested in pursuing. I got to meet some very influential people, but the best part about the job was meeting with constituents. It was neat to see people from Georgia in Washington and talk with them about a variety of things. The best part was being able to relate with them about their issues since, in a broad sense, we are neighbors. I think that they, too, were delighted to have someone in Washington that was from ‘home.' Some farmers from Bullock County were surprised that I knew where Brooklet is located! Personally I grew in a professional sense and I believe this experience will open many doors for me in the future. This experience was definitely a positive one and I would recommend it to anyone." Ken "loved" the experience as a Washington intern and urges his fellow students to apply even if they don't want to pursue a career in legislature or politics. He is forever grateful to those who sponsored his scholarship, including the Georgia Agribusiness Council and the Georgia EMC's. Ken has been a member of Gridiron, Brass Gavel, and Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society. He was chosen as a CAES scholarship winner, Nesbitt-Flatt Senior of Excellence, homecoming representative and served as AGHON president. He is currently a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Collegiate 4-H, a CAES Ambassador, Ag Hill Council treasurer and has served as a Shawnee Chief Rock Eagle Camp Counselor for three years. He is a member of Eason's Chapel United Methodist Church and enjoys volunteering in various activities to help others who are less fortunate. In his leisure time, he enjoys, tailgating and rooting for the Dawgs, playing and watching sports, hunting, fishing, and working out. After graduation, Ken plans to enter graduate school in an agricultural field. After graduate school, he would like to work for an agribusiness or in legislature and perhaps own a business.
Joel McKie
Joel spent 10 weeks during the summer of 2004 as an intern for the public policy team of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in Washington, D.C. His duties involved political and economic research, attending meetings on public policy issues, and engaging in various activities to help him further understand the scope of AFBA's advocacy and influence. Joel's time in Washington was a "truly eye-opening, positive experience" which further convinced him that a career in agricultural policy development and advocacy would be an exciting and fulfilling occupation. He commented on the "intense partisan nature of Washington and that this is further exacerbated by an election year." While in Washington, Joel made friends with people from throughout the United States and was able to build good relationships with the people he worked with at AFBF. In his leisure time, Joel visited the White House, the new WWII Memorial, the American History Museum, and the Natural History Museum. He also visited local hangouts including Georgetown, Adam's Morgan, and Chinatown. One weekend, he went with some friends to Annapolis and Baltimore and watched the Braves defeat the Orioles. Joel states, "I would highly recommend that all CAES students explore ways to gain valuable professional experience out of the State of Georgia during their undergraduate experience. Living and working outside our comfort zone and a different culture provide great opportunities for personal growth." Joel is the recipient of the CAES Alumni Association's 2004 Rising Star Award which recognizes a member of the junior class who has excelled in leadership and scholarship activities. He has earned an extraordinary 4.0 GPA and has exhibited leadership qualities on a national and local level. Joel served as the 2002 - 2003 National Future Farmers of American (FFA) Southern Region Vice President. He was elected to that position after serving as the 2000 - 2001 Georgia FFA President. Before serving as an officer in FFA, Joel received the American FFA Degree, the organization's highest level of accomplishment. He also served as his freshman class president, SGA Parliamentarian, and Ambassador Parliamentarian at ABAC. Joel is currently serving as vice-president of the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club and as a CAES Ambassador. He is a member of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, Alpha Zeta Honor Society, National FFA Alumni Association, and the Georgia Young Farmers Association. Joel's parents, Eddie and Kay McKie, have a farm in Abbeville, Georgia,
where Joel grew up with his brother, Philip, who is a first year agriculture
teacher. His father worked as an FFA advisor and is currently involved
in promoting agricultural education on the state level. In his leisure
time, Joel enjoys hunting, spending time with family and friends, being
actively involved in church activities, watching college football, golfing,
fishing, hunting, and staying informed about happenings on the political
scene. After completing his undergraduate degree, he plans to attend
law school and pursue a career in agricultural policy development and
advocacy.
Clint will graduate in December 2004 with honors. He has been at UGA two years and attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College before starting classes in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. Clint is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, a Presidential Scholar and on the Dean's List. Presently, Clint is deliberating whether to start working immediately after graduation or to begin graduate school. At some point, he plans to acquire an M.S. in Agribusiness or Agricultural Economics. He hopes to work in the agricultural field in a full-time sales job with either DuPont or John Deere and, perhaps, farm for himself. He enjoys spending time learning new ways to help the agricultural field. Clint is chairman of UGA Ducks Unlimited, secretary of AGHON, the Ag Hill representative of the Agronomy Club and a member of Ag Hill, Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club and Colquitt County Young Farmers. He is also a volunteer with Georgia Ducks Unlimited and Hunter for the Hungry and a member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Moultrie. With his busy schedule, Clint has little leisure time. When time permits, he spends four hours driving south to Bay community near Moultrie to be at home with his family, hunting and working on the farm with his dad and brother. He also enjoys spending time gulf fishing with his friends. When he isn't hunting or fishing, Clint can usually be found on a tractor or cotton picker. He states, "Some people tell me that I am crazy for driving four hours south to get on a tractor, but I love it – once a farm boy, always a farm boy." Clint wants to share a few words of wisdom that he has gained from people in his life who have meant a lot to him: "Never forget where you came from;" "Live life day by day and make the most of it;" "Hard work will pay off;" and most important, "Thank God everyday for what He has given you." Back
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Candice
Clark, a fourth year agribusiness major from Rochell, Georgia, has been
elected to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
in recognition of outstanding merit and accomplishment as a student
at the University of Georgia. 
Ken
Eason, a fourth year agribusiness major from Claxton, Georgia, spent
the summer of 2004 interning in Congressman Max Burns' office in Washington,
D.C. Though a variety of duties were involved, Ken considered his main
job was to assist the agriculture legislative assistant. Ken attended
briefings, hearings, and meetings with legislators, industry experts,
organization leaders (such as the National Cotton Council), and constituents.
The majority of these events were agriculture related, including forestry
and environmental issues. For a number of the hearings, Ken prepared
briefing papers and reports for Congressman Burns, which involved a
great deal of research. On several occasions, he called his departmental
professors to obtain data on specific subjects. He then condensed the
information into two page briefing papers with the important facts for
the congressman. Ken considers himself fortunate to have had the opportunity
to work with a congressman who is also a farmer and is on the Agriculture
Committee. He was able to witness the "Tobacco Buyout" legislation
go into effect within the Agricultural Committee. On one occasion, his
duties for the day included playing in a golf tournament sponsored by
Congressman Jack Kingston. Ken's reaction to this assignment was "not
a bad day at the office."
Joel
McKie, a fourth year agribusiness major from Abbeville, Georgia, has
been elected to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and
Colleges in recognition of outstanding merit and accomplishment as a
student at the University of Georgia.
Clint
Murphy, an Agribusiness major, has been elected to Who's Who Among Students
in American Universities and Colleges in recognition of outstanding
merit and accomplishment as a student at the University of Georgia.