Celebrating National Intern Day

Dexter Wesson

Sandwich, Illinois, native Dexter Wesson is an intern for Stine Regions 11, 12 and 13 — the northern and central part of his home state. He works with Stine regional sales agronomists (RSAs) Joe Gorenz (Region 11), Jake Anderson (Region 12) and Andrew Colgrove (Region 13), as well as independent sales representatives (ISRs) from each of those regions, where he assists with anything they need help with throughout the season.

“My goal with this internship is to garner a better understanding of how seed sales work,” says Wesson. “I want to gain as much knowledge and build as many relationships as possible in the industry to become more successful for the future.”

Wesson’s background in agriculture began after high school when he started working in ag retail and continued through college. He graduated from Joliet Junior College with an Associate of Applied Science in ag business — a degree he hopes will give him the knowledge to further his future career in ag sales. Outside of his internship, Wesson enjoys traveling, golfing and hunting. When asked if there’s anything else he wants to share with our readers, he responded, “STINE HAS YIELD.”

Cooper Johnson

Cooper Johnson is entering his second year at North Dakota State College of Science this fall, where he’s pursuing a degree in precision agronomy. Johnson serves as an intern for Stine Region 21 and spends much of his time crop scouting with RSA Katie Lorenz and ISRs in the northern half of North Dakota and western Minnesota. One thing Johnson says he’s already learned from his internship is the differences in corn hybrids and soybean varieties in the region.

“I hope to get a good grasp of how to crop scout so I can use it in the future,” says Johnson. He adds, “Farming is my dream job because it’s all the things I love in one.”

Johnson grew up on a farm in Casselton, North Dakota. His internship has allowed him to experience the seed and ag retail side of business. Outside of work, he enjoys sports and farming.

John Moellers

John Moellers is an intern for Stine Region 10 — an area represented by RSA Tony Pleggenkuhle in northeast Iowa and parts of southern Minnesota. Moellers has spent much of his internship prospecting, helping with deliveries and returns, and putting up field signs. His primary goal for his internship is to learn about the sales side of the business and to get experience that will help guide his future career. So far, he’s on the right track.

“I've been able to gain insight into the dealer/farmer relationship from a different perspective,” he says of his internship to date.

Moellers’ passion for agriculture started in his youth growing up on a family crop and hog farm in West Union, Iowa. He’s also spent time working in a warehouse for a co-op and mixing feed for a dairy.

“After growing a Stine research plot on my family farm for several years, I became intrigued with the crop side of agriculture and decided to pursue that,” says Moellers.

Moellers is entering his first year at Iowa State University this fall, where he’s pursuing a degree in genetics. Last year, he spent the school year in California undergoing Marine Corps boot camp and infantry training to become a Marine Corps reservist. After college, his dream is to become a plant geneticist. Science and agriculture have always interested him, so he feels the job will be the best of both worlds. Outside of interning and school life, Moellers enjoys hunting and farming.

Claira Shimota

Born and raised in Prior Lake, Minnesota, Claira Shimota grew up on a generational farm.

“I grew up on a farm that was passed down from my grandfather to my father and hopefully to me and my brother. I have been inspired to follow the agriculture path because of the farm background I have,” she says.

 As an intern for Stine Region 1 in southern Minnesota, Shimota supports RSA Chris Maczkowicz with delivering plot seed, putting in plots, signing corn and soybean fields, and collecting agronomic notes. She's learning the different processes of seed sales, the agronomy side of the business and the products available to growers in her region.

“I hope to gain more knowledge of the different varieties and hybrids produced and why they are better in comparison to competitors,” she adds. This knowledge will support her well in the future when she pursues her dream job of taking over the family farm.

Shimota is entering her sophomore year at South Central College in North Mankato, Minnesota, this fall to receive her degree in agronomy. Outside of school, she enjoys working on the farm and hanging out with friends.

Miller Lee

Stine Region 32 intern Miller Lee has been busy checking plots, collecting data, and working with RSA John Vanstaalduinen and an ISR in his region this summer.

 “The ISR has taught me a lot of being able to spot deficiencies in what the plants are lacking nutrient-wise,” he says. He hopes to gain even more knowledge on Stine products and what/why certain varieties perform better depending on location in his remaining time as an intern.

 Lee is from rural North Carolina in a town called Washington on the inner banks of the state. He got his degree in ag business from North Carolina State University and also has a certificate in crop science.

 “My fiancée’s family farms, and my dad sells crop insurance. We have always had a farm growing up for hunting reasons, which also is very agricultural dependent for optimal performance,” he says.

 Lee’s dream job is to do anything outdoors in the hunting and fishing industry, which are his favorite hobbies. He also enjoys playing basketball in his free time.

Luke Nesler

Mayfield, Kentucky, native Luke Nesler joined Stine as an intern for Region 18 RSA Ben Wilson this summer. His primary duties include assisting in planting plots, recording data from plots, delivering seed, putting up field signs and supporting the ISRs in his region.

 In his role, Nesler has learned how Stine is responsible for the majority of soybeans grown in the United States and the process the company goes through to produce its products.

His goal for his internship is “to achieve a relationship with growers so I can be able to do business with them in the future.”

 Nesler will be a junior at Murray State University this fall, where he’s studying agriculture education.

“I am a fifth-generation farmer who raises Angus beef cattle and plants corn and beans,” he adds of his role outside school. “I chose to pursue a degree in agriculture because it allows me to obtain knowledge that will be valuable to me and provide opportunities that can help me in the industry I grew up in.”

Nesler’s dream job is to own his own business someday. He enjoys watching football and spending time with friends and family when he’s not working or attending class.