This summer the Baca County Conservation District partnered with Ogallala Commons and the Baca County NRCS office to employ our first summer intern, Callie Hinds. Read below to learn more about Callie and her experience at BCCD and NRCS! 

 

I am currently attending West Texas A&M University and will begin my junior year this fall. I am studying Agricultural Business and Economics and absolutely love the program and community at WT. I am excited to see what the rest of my future holds there.

This summer, I have had the opportunity to be an intern for the BCCD as a District Conservation Technician through Ogallala Commons. With this position, I also help at the NRCS. I have mainly been working on EQIP, CSP, and CRP grazing checks. I get to experience a little bit of everything with these programs, such as putting together paperwork, making field checks, and talking with local producers. The field checks have greatly helped my grass identification and overall knowledge on conservation practices.

Not only do I help in Springfield but also travel to Lamar’s NRCS office if I can assist there. I was lucky enough to be an intern for the NRCS during high school through Ogallala Commons. Without OC, I can almost positively say that I would not have this job today or so many great connections with the staff here. OC gave me a solid stepping stone to put myself out there. Within that internship, OC taught me several key skills such as networking, communication, and teamwork.

I am very grateful for the time I have had here and the support I have received from BCCD, NRCS, and OC staff. I will be sad to leave in August but will carry what I have learned this summer with me for the rest of my life.