MEET WPI’s 2026 INTERNS

MACKENZIE MOLINE - St. Peter, MN

Mackenzie Moline is a St. Peter native and grew up on a hobby farm with pigs, sheep, beef and rabbits. She was very active in 4-H and FFA. Mackenzie has always loved working with livestock and wanted to continue with that even after her time in 4-H and FFA came to an end. She now attends Minnesota State University Mankato, majoring in marketing with plans to pursue a career in Agriculture and/or Marketing.

If you were to meet Mackenzie in a team activity, she’d use Bingo as her chosen icebreaker. She’d share ‘whatever’ on a Bingo card, and for Mackenzie, the game gives you a chance to talk to more than 1 person. While here, Mackenzie would like to gain a deeper understanding of Human Resources, including onboarding and employee management. She hopes to develop new skills by gaining hands-on experience.

If she could ask one industry question, she would stroll over to WPI’s feed coordinator, Sheri Spindler’s desk. She’d like to learn how WPI determines feed ingredients and which feed mixtures are most effective for improving pig performance?

Each year Mackenzie’s grandfather would cook a Christmas ham using the meat from that year’s 4-H animals. He’d always use pineapple and brown sugar to sweeten the ham. The smell while cooking will always remind her of Christmas. Her grandpa passed three years ago, so his brother has continued the tradition.

Mackenzie lives by the quote, “Do something today your future self will thank you for.” This keeps her motivated in many little and big moments in life and can be applied to many opportunities she’ll receive this summer.

SOPHIA KLEHR - Henderson, MN

Sophie is grew up in Henderson, MN and spent many years in Sibley County 4-H, showing dairy cattle and poultry raised on her family’s small hobby farm. She also was heavily involved in the Sibley County General Livestock Quizbowl and served as FFA President her senior year of high school. Sophie will be an incoming senior at South Dakota State University, studying animal science with an Industry Relations specialization and working towards a certificate in Workplace Intercultural Competence.

If you were with Sophie during a ‘6 Word Memoirs’ icebreaker activity, she’d sum up her life with 1) Organized, 2) Family, 3) Tasks, 4) Dreamer, 5) Colorful and 6) Details. Her goal for the summer is to organize and analyze WPI’s social media analytics and then use analytics to increase WPI’s social media audience and engagement.

Her industry question would best be answered by WPI’s Chief of Production, Todd Marotz. She wants to know… What do you think about PRRS gene editing and how should we present this topic to the public to encourage consumer acceptance?

Sophie has always been told, “Its only when you’re up close that you can truly understand.” This advice encourages her to say yes to the opportunity. Its been good for her worldview. She had such a good experience interning at WPI last summer. She hopes saying yes again will broaden that worldview as the learning opportunities at Wakefield Pork have been great!

LYDIA ROSE - Henderson, MN

Lydia was raised in Henderson, MN on her family farm with beef cattle, pigs and chickens. She has been a member of the 4-H, FFA & the MN Simmental Association. Lydia is now a student at South Dakota State University studying Animal Science and a member of Little International, Collegiate Cattlemen, Block & Bridle and Wool Judging Team.

Lydia’s favorite icebreaker is ‘This or That.’ If she had to choose between Spring or Fall, she’d say Fall. However, in the summer, Lydia wanted a full production experience for her internship. She applied at Wakefield for its company values and its intern program, looking for hands-on experience. Once starting, she was very interested to learn that Wakefield produces about 1.7 million pigs per year. She’d also like to learn what producers consider the most rewarding part of their job.

Lydia operates on the principle that one should never think they’re the smartest person in the room. It helps her keep an open mind that there is always more to learn.

BRENNIR PETERSON - Gibbon, MN

Brennir is from Gibbon, MN. He grew up on a small beef seedstock operation. Brennir has shown beef, swine and poultry through 4-H at the county and state level, however, he now shows beef throughout the Midwest. As a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, he is majoring in Animal Science and minoring in Ag Business. His favorite icebreaker is ‘The 4 Essentials.’ Three have already been mentioned here. The 4th essential is his favorite ice cream: Caramel Butter Pecan.

He chose Wakefield Pork for his internship because they are an industry leader that can give him a comprehensive view of pork production. Genetics interests Brennir most. He learned that Wakefield is doing a pedigree project on all sows to see if prolapse and other things are genetic, which he has enjoyed learning about.

If he could create his own pork tradition, he’d find a great pork belly recipe for Christmas Eve.

Brennin’s favorite piece of advice is “Expect Yourself to Change.” It reminds him that there are always ways to improve oneself. It’s his motivation to keep learning and asking questions.