Turning passion into reality: UK student builds advocacy career through internship

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 9, 2026) — Though he grew up on a family farm, Jacob Rudy’s calling to agriculture came much later. Now a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, Rudy’s journey has evolved from looking at agriculture as “just a job” to discovering a passion for agricultural advocacy and leadership.

Rudy grew up in Daviess County, where agriculture and farming were a daily occurrence rather than a long-term career goal. Although farming played a central role in his upbringing, he initially viewed it as a task to be done, not something that would define his future.

“When you grow up on a farm, it becomes normal, almost routine,” Rudy said. “For a long time, I didn’t understand how impactful this industry really was. I thought it was just a job, but now I know it means so much more — especially here in Kentucky.”

Rudy’s perspective began to change once he joined his local Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, following in his dad’s footsteps. Rudy held several leadership positions before serving as a Kentucky FFA state officer. During that year, he was exposed to the broader impact of agriculture beyond a farm gate.

“Serving as a Kentucky FFA officer completely changed the way I viewed agriculture,” Rudy said. “It showed me that agriculture is not just row crops. It’s people, policy, education and advocacy. Because of this, I eventually realized I didn’t just want to work in agriculture. I wanted to fight for it.”

That realization sparked Rudy’s passion for advocacy and heavily influenced his academic path. After his year as a state FFA officer, Rudy found himself mentioning agriculture in every conversation he had. Whether it was with a classmate in his economics course or with a fellow member of the Student Government Association, that’s all he wanted to talk about, and one day it dawned upon him.

“I wasn’t meant to be a direct part of the agricultural industry; my purpose is to help people understand and appreciate it,” Rudy said.

While enrolled in the agricultural education and advocacy program, part of the Community and Leadership Development Program, Rudy recognized the importance of communication in strengthening agriculture’s voice. He quickly became interested in storytelling and media, and believes they are tools that will educate the public, create a positive perception and amplify the voices of agriculture.

That led him to pursue an internship with the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Marketing and Agricultural Communications Department, contributing to news stories, event coverage and multimedia production that highlight the work of the college and Kentucky’s agricultural community.

“This internship will give me a unique opportunity to serve agriculture,” Rudy said. “Instead of being the one in the spotlight, I’m helping to tell the stories that deserve to be heard.”

Through this position, Rudy will have the opportunity to engage with faculty, students and industry leaders — further expanding his understanding of agriculture’s landscape.

“This is just one of the many ways this college will help develop me into a contributing member of our industry and prepare me for what’s next,” Rudy said.

Looking ahead, Rudy hopes to continue building a career centered on advocacy and public service. Whether through agricultural communications, policy work or leadership roles, he remains committed to representing the industry that shaped his upbringing and values.

“I started on a farm thinking agriculture was just work,” Rudy said. “Now I know it is my calling. This internship is helping me take the next step toward serving this industry for the rest of my life.”

To learn more about the students at Martin-Gatton CAFE, visit https://students.ca.uky.edu.