Washington, DC – The International Dairy Foods Association is launching a summer internship program this year to offer one undergraduate student a first-hand view of the association’s efforts on dairy policy with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and federal officials in regulatory agencies. The selected candidate will work in Washington, D.C., to support IDFA’s efforts to build relationships with the new administration and new Congress, as well as efforts on the upcoming farm bill, the school lunch program, trade policy, the Nutrition Facts label and GMO disclosure standard.
The internship, which is a paid position, will last 10-12 weeks, starting in May or June. The successful candidate will work with IDFA’s legislative and regulatory affairs teams on special projects, research and events, including Regulatory RoundUP, Advocacy Days and the Annual Ice Cream Party on Capitol Hill, June 12-14.
Students with an interest in food and agriculture policy are encouraged to apply by the March 15 deadline.
To qualify, candidates must be enrolled in an accredited college or university and currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in business, political science, international affairs, agriculture, the food and beverage industry, food science or a related field. Each candidate will be required to submit an application, resume, a one-page essay and references.
“I’ve spent most of my career leading and executing strategies to shape agricultural policies, and it’s been a very rewarding experience – sometimes exhilarating and other times challenging, but never boring,” said Michael Dykes, IDFA president and CEO. “We’d like to offer an outstanding student with an interest in food and agriculture policy the opportunity to work alongside our subject matter experts and experience the legislative and regulatory process from a front-row seat.”
To learn more about the internship and to apply, students may visit www.idfa.org or contact Heather Soubra, IDFA chief of staff, at hsoubra@idfa.org or (202) 220-3551.
All applications and supporting material must be submitted by March 15 either by email to hsoubra@idfa.org or by mail to Heather Soubra, IDFA, 1250 H Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005.
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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of nearly 525 companies within a $125-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's nearly 200 dairy processing members run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States. Visit IDFA at www.idfa.org.
Source: The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA)
