Recruiting Iowa’s Future Environmental Stewards

Person lying on muddy ground near a murky pond with grassy field in the background.

Out in the quiet, meandering oxbows of Iowa’s countryside, Ethan Wing spent his summer days knee-deep in the vital work of water testing. As a senior environmental science major with a focus on aquatic sciences, Wing’s internship with the Iowa Soybean Association had him driving through rural fields, collecting water samples, and running tests to monitor the health of these crucial water bodies. His daily routine involved checking for phosphorous levels, conducting E. coli runs, and studying the nitrate removal capabilities of bioreactors and buffers. It was hands-on work that immersed him in the science of water quality and conservation.

Through the Jay N. Darling Institute’s Talent Pipeline program, students like Wing are connected with career opportunities to address the recruitment challenges faced by rural employers.

From Waukee, Iowa, Wing has roots in farming on both sides of his family. While initially focused on history, a meeting with Drake Professor Keith Summerville ignited a new passion. “I joined for history, but stayed for environmental science,” he said.

A man in a blue t-shirt leans against a gate, interacting with a calf in a barn.

“It’s good to see how farming is evolving and how the younger generations are adopting these new practices.”

The struggles Wing witnessed in farming, particularly with profit and water quality issues, inspired him to find solutions that balance agricultural needs with environmental protection. He plans to pursue a doctoral degree at Iowa State University, integrating his history major to stand out in the water quality field. “I like to look at land use and how it’s changed over time, especially in Iowa,” he said.

One of the highlights of Wing’s internship was interacting with farmers and witnessing their willingness to embrace new farming methods. “It’s really nice seeing farmers take initiative, letting people come on their land for restoration projects,” he said. “It’s good to see how farming is evolving and how the younger generations are adopting these new practices.”

Person holding a small fish in a grassy outdoor area, wearing a yellow T-shirt and blue cap.

Tackling a Complex Issue

For Anthony Seeman, AS’06, water lab service manager at the Iowa Soybean Association, internships like Wing’s are about more than just gaining experience—they’re about shaping the future of environmental stewardship in Iowa. “A lot of students who didn’t grow up in rural environments don’t think of agriculture as a track for environmental studies,” Seeman said. “But if you’re in Iowa, you pretty much have to be in agriculture, at least when it comes to water quality.”

Seeman sees his role as a bridge between the academic and professional worlds. “When students think about policy, they can see the general thought that farmers are bad, that we need to regulate them,” he reflected. “Then they get into the industry and realize how much more complex it is. If there was an easy way to regulate for clean water, we’d have done it by now.”

For Seeman, the value of these internships lies in showing students the reality of the job and the intricate balance between agricultural practices and environmental conservation.

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