When I first received the news that I was offered the editorial internship at Hoard’s Dairyman, I jumped out of my seat — quite literally. I was sitting in an Agriculture Communications introduction course when my phone buzzed with a “920” area code. At first I had no idea who was calling, but as I read the Wisconsin location on the call, I jumped out of my seat to take it. Little did I know that just one phone call would lead me to a place where I found a home away from home.
Before I left home, so many people asked me if I was scared. I would give them a simple answer: No. Now that I’m at the end of my internship, I’ll call my bluff. I wasn’t just scared - I was anxious. Being from over 2,000 miles away in California, I had no idea what other parts of the nation looked like. Moving across the country for over two months was daunting, but I let my ambition act as adrenaline.
My very first blog post talked about how I was excited to share stories about dairy farmers and their homes, and I can say that I have successfully been able to do that. Interning this summer provided me with several invaluable experiences, traveling to dairy farms being my favorite of them all. Not only did I enjoy seeing different parts of the dairy industry, but I was able to have authentic conversations about what dairy farming looks like for several other people. This put farming into a broader perspective for me, while being able to share the unique stories of farms throughout the nation.
Whether I was seeing the lush hilltops of Virginia and enduring its humid weather, watching a sunset over an Ohio cornfield, or driving through the bluegrass state of Kentucky, I was able to learn about other regions of the dairy industry and what makes their farms special. Every dairy farm is more than just a story; it’s a place that many call home.
I am forever grateful for the opportunities I’ve had this summer to learn about dairy farms and what makes them a place to call home. A phrase I commonly use is that home is not a place, it’s a feeling, and that has been actively demonstrated throughout my time in Wisconsin. Hoard’s Dairyman has not only provided me with a world of opportunity, but it has helped me call Fort Atkinson, Wis., home.
Not too long ago, I was a little girl who was ecstatic to read through the pages of the famous red-labeled magazine in my grandpa’s recliner. This summer I was a small part of the magic that goes on behind the scenes, which allowed me to learn from incredibly talented writers and trailblazers within the agriculture industry. Not only was I able to read (and proofread) the pages of Hoard’s Dairyman, but I was able to write them, too.
Morgan Oliveira is the 2024 Hoard’s Dairyman editorial intern. She grew up working on her family’s dairy farm near Hilmar, Calif. As a student at Cal Poly University, Oliveira is majoring in agriculture communications.
