Have you ever had a moment where everything you’ve been working toward suddenly feels real?
For me, that moment came when I took a picture with Glenn Thompson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Standing there, in the middle of Washington, D.C., it hit me: this is the space where decisions are made that impact farmers back home, operations like my own family’s, and the future of agriculture as a whole.
My name is Jasper Shaw, I’m a junior agricultural economics major at Texas A&M University, and this experience has reshaped how I see my future. As a student at Texas A&M University, I am committed to learning for a lifetime.
That commitment means more to me than just academics—it’s about constantly growing in a field that never stands still. Agriculture is influenced by policy, economics, and people, and being in D.C. showed me just how interconnected those pieces really are. I chose this path because I want to advocate for farmers, people like those I grew up around, who often don’t have a direct voice in these rooms.
During my internship, I didn’t just observe policy; I experienced it. Here are a few things that stood out to me:
- Policy is personal: Every conversation, every meeting, and every decision ties back to real people: farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. It’s not just legislation; it’s livelihoods.
- Relationships drive everything: Whether it’s conversations with staffers or industry leaders, nothing moves without trust and connection. That was one of the biggest takeaways I didn’t expect.
- There’s always more to learn: No matter how much you think you know, policy is constantly evolving. Being in that environment challenged me to stay curious and keep asking questions.
Taking that picture with Chairman Thompson wasn’t just a cool moment—it symbolized something bigger. It represented the intersection of where I come from and where I want to go. Growing up in agriculture, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges producers face. Being in D.C., I saw the other side: how those challenges are discussed, debated, and (hopefully) addressed.
That’s why my commitment to lifelong learning matters. If I want to effectively advocate for agriculture, I have to stay informed, adaptable, and willing to grow. The industry, and the policies that shape it, aren’t static, and neither can I be.
This experience confirmed something I’ve been working toward for a long time: I want to be at the intersection of agriculture and policy, helping bridge the gap between producers and policymakers. And maybe one day, I won’t just be taking pictures with leaders, I’ll be working alongside them to make a difference.
So here’s my question for you: What’s a moment that made your goals feel real, and how did it change the way you see your future?
Jasper Shaw
The Fertilizer Institute
Washington, D.C. | spring 2026