Isaac Linton Cultivates Knowledge through Crop Internship
August 11, 2025
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE— University of Mount Olive senior Isaac Linton is spending his summer getting a firsthand look at the world of agronomy, an area far removed from his family’s livestock roots.
Linton, a native of Grantham, NC, and an ag production systems major with a minor in plant science, is interning with agronomist Josh Joyner, owner of Insight Agronomics. The internship, which runs through August, has provided Linton with in-depth exposure to row crop management, including field scouting, crop health monitoring, and agricultural research trials.
“I grew up on a small livestock farm with about 30 wool sheep,” said Linton. “This internship is my first real experience working with row crops like peanuts, soybeans, corn, and cotton. It’s been a completely new environment for me, and that is what makes it so exciting.”
Linton discovered the internship opportunity through a UMO professor. Conveniently located just five minutes from his home, the position aligned with Linton’s academic requirements and his desire to explore new agricultural disciplines.
Day-to-day, Linton can be found scouting fields for weed and insect pressure, evaluating plant health, and assisting with research trials. “We act as the eyes and ears for farmers who don’t always have time to inspect their fields daily,” he said. “We’re identifying issues and making recommendations—essentially consulting to help protect the crops.”
Linton has worked on several research projects during his internship, including a soybean variety trial near Mount Olive and a herbicide trial in Bertie County, which requires regular travel. He’s also getting a feel for the harvest side of farming, occasionally helping out during wheat harvest season.
While some tasks are less enjoyable, like navigating through itchy corn fields, Linton appreciates the diversity of responsibilities and the knowledge he’s gaining. “I’ve learned more about weed identification than I ever thought possible. There are multiple types of Morning Glory, and I can now tell them apart by the hairs on the stems and the shape of the leaves,” he said.
His academic foundation at UMO has helped prepare him for the role. Courses like Plant Identification, Soil Science, Crop Science, and Integrated Pest Management have proven especially relevant. Linton has also been involved in campus groups such as the Animal Science Club and the Young Farmers & Ranchers organization.
Looking ahead, Linton is open to exploring different pathways within agriculture after graduation in May 2026. “This internship has shown me there are a lot of directions I can go with my degree,” he said. “Some parts of agronomy I really enjoy, and others I’ve learned might not be for me, but that’s the whole point of an internship.”
His advice for other students seeking similar opportunities? “Step outside your comfort zone. I didn’t grow up around crops, but that’s why this has been so rewarding. I’ve learned something new every day.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
