Growing up in a fast-paced city isn’t the usual path to gaining a passion for agriculture, but for Angelina Sonoqui, it was just the beginning. Currently a senior at the University of Kentucky, Sonoqui is majoring in equine science and management, part of the Ag Equine Programs, with a minor in agriculture economics.  

During her time at the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Sonoqui developed a deep interest for agricultural policy and is eager to expand her knowledge while interning with the Marketing and Agricultural Communications Services team.  

When Sonoqui learned about the internship opportunity, she was quick to apply.  

“I felt like this would be the perfect opportunity, especially going into my senior year,” she said. “I love highlighting success stories and having the opportunity to do that within a college that has given me so much. It’s an amazing thing.” 

Originally from Tacoma, Washington, about 30 miles from Seattle, Angelina comes from a predominantly military family, offering her a diverse upbringing and strong appreciation for community. From a young age, she knew she wanted to work with animals, which sparked her initial goal of becoming a veterinarian. 

When it came time to apply for college, Sonoqui focused on finding a school with both a strong community and pre-vet program. In addition, there were other important qualities that ultimately led her to UK. 

“After touring UK’s campus and learning about the countless opportunities within the college like clubs, facilities and the Living Learning Program, I knew this was the place for me”, Sonoqui said.  

Once on campus, she took advantage of every opportunity presented to her and began forming a deeper connection to the agriculture industry.  These opportunities included gaining hands-on experience by travelling off campus to farms, going on industry tours with clubs, numerous networking opportunities, and even the opportunity to host her own agriculture law and policy information night.  

After completing her first semester, Sonoqui decided to switch her emphasis from pre-vet to pre-law. This decision came after taking AFE 100 where she learned about the different avenues of agriculture. It was in this course Angelina discovered her passion for agricultural law, policy and advocacy.  

“Growing up in such an urban area, I felt almost unaware of the role agriculture played in my life. I would just expect my grocery store shelves to be stocked and clothes in stores, without really thinking about who produced them,” Sonoqui said.  

Going into her final semester, Sonoqui feels confident about her knowledge of the industry from her experiences both in and out of the classroom.  

“I believe interning with the Marketing and Agricultural Communications Services team will give me the confidence, knowledge and skills to become a great lawyer,” Sonoqui said. “To truly advocate for agriculture, I need to be well-versed in the issues and changes shaping the industry, and what better place to learn about those changes than from the very people who report on them. I feel like I’m one step closer to my dream job.”  

Now, as Angelina goes into her final semester at UK, she is eager to make the most of her time.  

“It is definitely bittersweet, but I am so grateful for the community I have found, mentors and friendships, and overall, the opportunities that have helped me flourish,” Sonoqui said.  

After graduation, Angelina plans to attend law school where she plans to continue advocating for agriculture, conservation and underrepresented communities.  

To learn more about our students at Martin-Gatton CAFE, visit https://students.ca.uky.edu. 

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The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services to individuals and institutions that provide equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.