Commodities & Regulatory Intern

IAA Illinois Agricultural Association; United States; Hybrid; USD 20,664,000 - 33,062,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance benefits included (medical,

401(k) with company match

Parental leave

Paid time off

Paid company holidays

Time off to volunteer

Job summary

Illinois Farm Bureau invites motivated students to join the Governmental Affairs & Commodities Division as an intern. You will work on real projects affecting Illinois agriculture, collaborating with staff across teams and participating in meetings and events to build professional relationships.

The internship runs through late spring to summer 2027 with potential extension. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential, and applicants should be pursuing an agriculture-related

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in agriculture, or a related field.
• Must be able to work full-time hours from late May 2027 to early August 2027.
• Graduation date of August 2027 or beyond.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Organized, self-motivated, and proactive.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions for outdoor events and activities.

Responsibilities

• Assist Governmental Affairs & Commodities Division with real projects that impact Illinois agriculture.
• Collaborate with experienced staff and teams on policy, regulatory affairs, and commodity programs.
• Attend meetings and events; network with industry leaders; gain insight into agriculture advocacy and association management.

Skills

Agriculture degree

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Outdoor work experience

Education

Pursuing degree in agriculture or related field

Job description

Join us at the Illinois Farm Bureau to become part of an influential leader that has a rich history and vision toward the future of agriculture. We’re excited you’re looking for a career with Illinois Farm Bureau as we advocate for farmers and agriculture. We’re a grassroots organization made up of people who support farms, food and families in Illinois.

About the role

At Illinois Farm Bureau, we are committed to providing a meaningful and engaging internship experience that helps students grow both professionally and personally. As an intern with the Governmental Affairs & Commodities Division, you will become part of the IFB team and gain hands‑on experience working alongside the Commodities & Food Systems and Business & Regulatory Affairs teams on real projects that impact Illinois agriculture.

You will collaborate with experienced staff, develop a deeper understanding of agricultural issues, policy, regulatory affairs, and commodity programs, and build valuable relationships across the organization.

Throughout the internship, you will participate in professional development opportunities, attend meetings and events, network with industry leaders, and gain insight into career opportunities within agriculture advocacy and association management.

We are excited to help you enhance your academic experience while contributing to the important work of serving Illinois farmers and rural communities.

Application Timeline

We know waiting can be difficult, so we want to set expectations upfront. Our internship recruiting process takes place over several months. Applications open in mid-September and are reviewed as they are received. HR interviews are expected to begin in mid-October, followed by interviews with hiring leaders. Depending on the role and applicant volume, hiring decisions and offers may be made anytime from October through January. We appreciate your patience throughout the process and will communicate updates as they become available.

How does this role make an impact?

“Test drive” a potential career path through real corporate projects, collaboration in meetings, and several networking opportunities. While working alongside and learning from expert leaders at all levels of the company, in addition to teaming up with fellow interns to showcase your ideas, our interns impact the business, and experience professional and personal growth.

Do you have what we’re looking for?

• Pursuing a degree in agriculture, or a related field.
• Must be able to work full-time hours from late May 2027 to early August 2027.
• The internship may be extended part-time through fall 2027 and spring 2028.
• Graduation date of August 2027 or beyond.
• Ability to be productive, with high degree of accuracy/attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be organized, self‑motivated, and proactive.
• Must have ability to work in various weather conditions for outdoor events and activities.

Why work with us?

Illinois Farm Bureau planted roots in 1916 and is one of the largest Farm Bureau organizations in the United States. Illinois Farm Bureau is a voice for Illinois farmers, farm families, and anyone involved in food and agriculture. That covers a lot of ground. Illinois Farm Bureau represents members in Springfield, IL and Washington D.C. When you become a part of Illinois Farm Bureau, you become part of something that touches the lives of people every day. You truly make a difference.

You’ll be able to take advantage of our benefits package, which includes insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, disability, and life), 401(k) with company match, parental leave, paid time off, paid company holidays and time off to volunteer.

Illinois Farm Bureau is committed to providing equal opportunity in all areas of employment, and in providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, disability, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

Illinois Farm Bureau does not generally sponsor individuals for employment‑based visas for this position.

IFB is headquartered in Bloomington, IL, with hybrid positions available at our home office and statewide across our 93 County Farm Bureau offices.

Our Mission

Improve the economic well‑being of agriculture and enrich the quality of farm family life.

Since 1916, IFB has remained dedicated to advocating for farmers and agriculture, connecting the farming community with consumers and promoting the values and quality of life we hold dear in Illinois. We’re a grassroots membership organization made up of people who support farms, food and families in Illinois. Our members join because they are looking for advocacy, access to reliable agricultural information and education and our member benefits. We also invest in the future of agriculture via the IAA Foundation, grow agricultural leaders through developmental programming and events, cultivate environmental stewardship and champion innovation by working with our partner and affiliated organizations, such as COUNTRY Financial; GROWMARK; Prairie Farms Dairy and the state commodity groups. Our employees—regardless of their connection to agriculture—are instrumental in providing this value to our members by creating and managing programs, services and activities. We support their development through continuous learning and training, tuition assistance and a competitive, full‑range package of benefits. Our people are our members’ neighbors, and we work to ensure they share the same opportunities for personal and professional growth and contributing to their communities.