Intern Spotlight: Madison Price

Just as the sun began to slip through dispersing rainclouds, a black Chevy turns into an Oden, Arkansas farm. The car comes to a stop and out steps Madison Price, notebook in hand. Two dogs excitedly bark behind a screen door as a woman rounds the corner of the house with a smile and a wave. As the two trail throughout the grass, sparkling with much-needed rain, they remark on the weather and mutual connections. Their conversation shifts to the woman’s equipment as they pass through her land, eventually bringing them to her cattle where they lay unbotheredly among a group of trees. The conversation comes to an end as Madison jots down a few final notes, and as it exits the field, her black Chevy leaves two meandering lines in the wet grass.

This chattel evaluation is one of many for Madison this summer as a field services intern with Farm Credit of Western Arkansas. Throughout her time with the organization, she is responsible for visiting many farms like the one in Oden, meeting with Farm Credit members and discussing their operations.

“My favorite part about being a Farm Credit field services intern is getting to travel the River Valley and see all the small-town farmers do what they love to do,” she said. “I have visited places and met people that I never would have without this internship. I have also loved getting to know different Farm Credit branches throughout the area and learn from each of them. The people really make the place, and each employee has been kind and helpful throughout this internship journey.”

Madison is from Branch, AR where she grew up on a small cow/calf operation and showed pigs at the county, regional and state level. In high school, she became involved in FFA, where she served as County Line FFA president. Through her FFA, family farm, and livestock exhibition experiences, Madison was influenced to pursue a future in agriculture.

Madison recently graduated from the University of Arkansas, where she studied agricultural business and minored in international economic development. While pursuing her degree, she served as president of the Agricultural Business Club, a member of Tri Delta, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Associated Student Government, and was an Honors College Path Scholar. This fall, she will return to the University of Arkansas to begin pursuing her master’s in agricultural economics and agribusiness. Her hobbies include watching Razorback sports, shopping, and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys traveling – she has visited Belize, Scotland, England, Sweden, Spain, and Norway while studying abroad and hopes to continue seeing the world.

Prior to her time with Farm Credit, Madison participated in activities and organizations that have given her the skills needed to provide excellent service to rural Arkansas. Madison interned with Governor Asa Hutchinson and the National Agricultural Law Center, and studied abroad two agriculture-focused trips in Belize and in the United Kingdom. She has also gained research experience studying food insecurity in Arkansas, as well as food insecurity regarding first-generation college students on the University of Arkansas campus.

As a field services intern, Madison has heard many stories from rural Western Arkansans. “It has been incredibly impactful to hear testimonies from so many members about how Farm Credit has assisted them in their endeavors and fulfilled their dreams,” she said. “I have gained valuable communication, organization, and leadership skills. This internship is preparing me for my future career.”