Meet Our 2020 Interns

Meet Parker Werling and Zachary Badtram, our 2020 interns! While they benefit from the professional development our program provides, we are just as excited about the ideas, perspective, and passion they bring to the table. This summer, Parker and Zach can be found serving our agronomy customers through crop scouting services. If you catch them out and about, give them a wave! Learn more about the 2020 interns below:

Parker Werling | Agronomy intern

Hometown: Atalissa, IA
College/ University: Iowa State University
Major: Agronomy
What clubs and organizations are you involved in?: Agronomy Club, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), Agriculture Community Encourages Success Learning Community, and Agronomy New Student Learning Community.
What are your hobbies?: Camping, playing softball, and spending time outside.
What inspired you to pursue an agriculture degree?: In high school, I became really involved in FFA and did a lot of work with plants in the greenhouse. I was able to meet many people in the industry, as well as learn a lot about agriculture and the issues farmers are facing today. I knew I wanted to help people while also staying involved in agriculture and agronomy seemed like the best way for me to do that.
What part of this internship are you most excited for?: I am most excited to learn something new this summer that I wouldn’t be able to learn in a classroom.
What made Stutsmans stand out to you?: Stutsmans really stood out to me because the people were so approachable at the career fair and you can tell they really care about what they do.
If you could switch places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?: If I could be anyone for a day I would be the president of the United States just to see what it’s like on a daily basis.
You’re a new addition to a farm; what tool/piece of machinery/technology/product would you be and why?: I would be a soil and crop sensor because they can read plant health and water needs, as well as nitrogen levels in the soil, and I want to have those skills.
What do you want to do when you graduate?: When I graduate I hope to become an agronomist and know what specific area in agronomy I want to focus on.

Zachary Badtram | Agronomy Intern

Hometown: New Liberty, IA
College/ University: Iowa State University.
Major: Agronomy
What clubs and organizations are you involved in?: The Agronomy Club.
What are your hobbies?: Staying active by playing sports and weight-lifting, helping my dad on the farm, and spending time with my friends.
What inspired you to pursue an agriculture degree?: I’ve always wanted to do something in agriculture. I was given the opportunity two years ago to do a ride-along with an agronomist for Pioneer and it piqued my interest in the industry.
What part of this internship are you most excited about?: I’m excited to gain experience in agronomy as well as the business industry, expanding my skills with communication between the company and customers.
What made Stutsmans stand out to you?: Sam Smith, a family friend, works for Stutsmans and he told me how the company values their customers and puts them first.
If you could switch places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?: I would like to switch places with my dad. I respect and value his hard work as well as his dedication to his family. He does a lot for us that sometimes goes unnoticed; he may not be Superman, but for my siblings and I, he’s everything and more. I aspire to be just as dedicated and driven as him.
You’re a new addition to a farm; what tool/piece of machinery/technology/product would you be and why?: I would be some sort of precision ag technology because it’s not only becoming more common, but also aids in simplifying field work for farmers. It also makes a farm run smoother and quicker.
What do you want to do when you graduate?: My goal after graduation is to go work for a seed company, and eventually own my own company.