Farm Credit Illinois recently hired six college students pursuing an agriculture-related career to complete a 12-week summer internship.

John Aupperle is from Maroa, IL and is a graduate of Maroa-Forsyth High School. This fall, he will be a junior at Iowa State University where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business. John previously interned with Advanced Agrilytics and also has experience owning and operating his own car detailing business. His parents are Ryan and Rachel Aupperle.

Andrea Buhrow is from Ashton, IL and graduated from Ashton-Franklin Center High School in 2023. She is a junior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign studying agricultural communications. Andrea currently works as an intern in the ACES Advancement Office and the ALEC department at the University of Illinois. Previously, she was a sales intern for Midwest Groundcovers, a wholesale horticultural company. Andrea’s parents are Amy & Allyn Buhrow.

Jacob Holtgrave is from Glen Carbon, IL and is a graduate of Edwardsville High School. He will be a senior this fall at Illinois State University majoring in agricultural business. Prior to joining FCI, Jacob interned with The Equity and Green Creek Drones where he gained hands-on experience integrating precision drone spraying with fungicide applications. Jacob is the son of Julie and Craig Holtgrave.

Alex Kuhns is from Arcola, IL where he graduated from Arcola High School. This fall, he will be a senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign majoring in finance. Prior to attending UIUC, Alex attended Eastern Illinois University for two years. While FCI is Alex’s first full-time internship, he previously interned part-time at Midland State Bank in Effingham in the loan operations department and worked for his father’s custom hay baling business. His parents are Paul and Carol Kuhns.

Ila Richter is from Charleston, IL and is a graduate of Charleston High School. Ila spent the past two years at Lake Land College and this fall she will be transferring to Murray State University as a junior majoring in ag business. She previously worked at a local John Deere dealership assisting with warranty processing and clerical operations. Ila is the daughter of Richard and Tiffany Richter.

Cole Rappé is from Macon, IL and graduated from Meridian High School. Cole is a senior at Illinois State University and will graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and agronomy management. He previously interned at FCI in credit services this past spring and in sales last summer. Before coming to FCI, Cole completed internships in ag retail at Nutrien and Integrated Seed Solutions, and he continues to help on a family friend’s farm as well. Cole’s parents are Chad and Sheila Rappé.