Stillman Valley graduate completes summer agronomy internship with R.D. Offutt Farms

    2021 Stillman Valley School graduate Courtney Houghton spent her summer scouting potato fields, attending educational seminars, shadowing the agronomy team and learning from the North Dakota State University Extension as part of her agronomy internship with R.D. Offutt Farms (RDO) in Park Rapids, Minn.

    Houghton is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she majors in soil and crop science with an emphasis in agronomy. While she did not grow up on a farm, Houghton developed a passion for agriculture as a member of Future Farmers of America (FFA). After sharing her desire to study soil and crop science, Houghton’s FFA advisor recommended she spend her summers crop scouting. During the first two years of college, Houghton scouted corn and soybeans. In 2023, Houghton wanted to expand her crop knowledge, so she sought out an internship experience with RDO to gain knowledge of potato production.

    Houghton’s favorite part of the internship was learning about the different technology and tools that R.D. Offutt Farms utilizes.

    “I enjoyed working with the different tools as I had never gotten that exposure before,” Houghton said. “I also liked attending meetings about irrigation and soil health, which helped me gain knowledge and experience.”

    Part of Houghton’s internship was to conduct her own research project. In concert with two other interns, Houghton sought to learn why a specific variety of potatoes – umatillas –experience earlier seed decay than other varieties.

    Annika Merkens, RDO agronomist and internship program coordinator, said that Houghton’s work on the farm this summer was extremely beneficial as RDO continues to hone its understanding of potato seed varieties.

    “We really appreciate the opportunity to have interns take a fresh look at some of the situations we encounter – Courtney was an awesome intern, and we were lucky to have her on the team,” Merkens said.

    After graduating, Houghton hopes to be an agronomist and help farms better understand their production systems while promoting the most efficient and sustainable management practices.

About R.D. Offutt’s Agronomy Internship

    R.D. Offutt Farms and Syngenta have partnered to create a unique opportunity for college students pursuing a career in agriculture. During this internship, students will have hands-on learning experience working on real projects and real solutions. Students will work with industry experts from R.D. Offutt Farms and Syngenta, as well as university professors who support the potato industry, to see a vertically integrated farm experience – from seed production through processing raw product.

    Learn more at: www.rdoffuttfarms.com.