Kidd Serves as Summer Intern

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry hosted Lincoln native Tandy Kidd as a summer intern for the agency, according to a news release from the agency. He worked under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Blayne Arthur and Agency Public Information Manager Kirby Smith.

Kidd, a Lincoln High School graduate, had completed two years of his education at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College where he was a member of the Reserve National Champion Horse Judging Team, according to the news release. He was given a multitude of responsibilities and opportunities during his time working with the communications staff at ODAFF. Kidd helped facilitate ODAFF's Forestry Camp, worked on developing communication plans for the agency and assisted Agritourism Staff across the state.

He participated in media training events and helped develop tours for international visitors. He also visited several agribusinesses and agricultural events and drafted press releases for statewide distribution. He assisted with the creation of informational materials for various agency divisions and helped facilitate several events for ag commodity groups.

Kevin Barenberg, agriculture teacher at Lincoln High School, said Kidd was one of his outstanding students when he was a Lincoln High student.

"Tandy was on our National Horse Judging winning team," Barenberg said. "He pivoted from cattle to horses and he ran with it, going to Northeastern Oklahoma and being on the horse judging team and will now be going to Oklahoma State University."

Barenberg said he wasn't surprised at Kidd working with the communications staff as a summer intern for the Oklahoma agency.

"Anyone who was around Tandy knew he was good working with people even younger ones," Barenberg said, adding Kidd was a "very good, active strong leader" in the Lincoln FFA Chapter.

"He was one of our FFA officers and I use him as an example when new students come in to let them know what they can aspire to in FFA."

Kidd is pursuing a degree in animal science from OSU, where he is a member of the collegiate horse judging team.

General News on 08/27/2014