Iowa State student Lydia Johnson will be a member of the Agri-Pulse team of journalists this spring as part of an immersive learning experience provided through the Iowa State University Foundation. She is the first candidate to be selected by ISU for this multiyear educational program.
Johnson will be based in Washington, D.C., where she will write articles for the Agri-Pulse newsletter — a must-read, subscriber-only product offering the latest ag and food policy information — as well as contribute to all other facets of coverage offered at Agri-Pulse.com.
“As a proud graduate myself, I always appreciate the chance to offer Iowa State students a chance to learn more about the process of producing the nation’s laws and regulations, and Lydia is going to be an outstanding addition to the long list of Cyclones in the nation’s capital,” said Agri-Pulse Editor and President Sara Wyant. “Her interest in ag policy and experience across a variety of internships will make her a valuable member of our team.”
Johnson is a junior agricultural communications and journalism major at Iowa State. Before joining Agri-Pulse, she also spent time working with WHO Radio in Des Moines, as an agribusiness marketing intern with Nationwide, a communications intern with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and as a newsroom intern at several National FFA Conventions.
“I was raised on my family's Heritage farm in central Iowa, so I've seen the impact of agriculture policies on rural America,” Johnson said. “I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from the phenomenal Agri-Pulse team and report on those issues from Washington.”
The Agri-Pulse Immersive Learning Experience is funded by a donation to the ISU Foundation from Agri-Pulse Founder Sara Wyant and COO Allan Johnson, in memory of Iowa farmer Linda Robel, who was an early mentor for Wyant and a lifelong family friend. Robel and her family farmed near Grimes and West Des Moines, where she was a tireless advocate for protecting farmland and smart growth policies.
“Linda loved journalism and politics, and if you met her, you would never forget her,” added Wyant. “It's an honor to be able to provide this type of educational opportunity and keep her legacy alive.”
About Agri-Pulse: Agri-Pulse is the most trusted source for agricultural, food and rural policy information in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California, providing a balanced perspective on a wide variety of issues including the farm bill, nutrition, trade, labor, food safety, water, environment, biotechnology, organic, conservation and crop insurance. Agri-Pulse publishes a subscription-only e-newsletter, the Agri-Pulse Daily Harvest early morning news summary, Agri-Pulse Daybreak, Agri-Pulse DriveTime podcast, Agri-Pulse Newsmakers and breaking news on www.Agri-Pulse.com.