Cultivating Connections: Gabe's Internship Journey in Arizona Agriculture

This week, Nicole interviews Maricopa County Farm Bureau government relations intern Gabriel Flores on Arizona Agriculture Connection. Gabe is an ASU sophomore double majoring in sustainability and business management, shares his ranch upbringing in Queen Creek and how he found the internship through a friend. He discusses career interests in sustainable energy (SRP/APS), consulting to reduce carbon footprints, and ASU research on sustainable food systems involving mushrooms. Gabriel says the internship taught him agricultural policy challenges in Arizona and the West, improved his ability to turn complex bills into digestible blog content, and emphasized the importance of meaningful networking and relationship-building. Highlights include board meetings, the Farm City Breakfast (notably in Buckeye), and attending a Young Farmers and Ranchers convention in Portland to learn from farmers nationwide. Nicole announces upcoming summer agriculture communications internship applications at maricopacountyfb.org.