Virginia Tech graduate student chosen to be Virginia Governor's Fellow

Lindsay Potts produced for the state Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry a study of the feasibility of producing and using biodiesel fuel as part of her work with the Virginia Governor’s Fellows Program.

The program brings “exceptional students with creative ideas to state government,” according to the Virginia Governor’s Fellows Program web site. The program involves students who have a demonstrated commitment to excellence in academics, proven leadership ability, and involvement in extracurricular activities and community service. Those chosen worked full time in various State agencies June 6-July 29 this past summer.

Potts, from Purcellville, Va., earned an undergraduate degree in agriculture and applied economics and is in her second year in a master’s in public administration, both at Virginia Tech. As a Governor’s Fellow, she worked in the Governor’s Office for the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, developing legislation and the web page. She also produced a study, requested by a joint resolution of the General Assembly, of the feasibility of the production and use of biodiesel fuel, a blend of soybean and vegetable oil with diesel fuel. The blend is not only good for the environment, but helps the state’s agriculture business by creating another market for its products, Potts said. She prepared the study in the format required for review by the legislature in the 2006 session.

Potts carried out the study, in part, by studying other states’ implementation of such a program. She also attended conferences on the topic.

“Biodiesel fuel is in use in Virginia,” she said. “Arlington County uses it, and James Madison uses it in all its buses.” The cost of biodiesel fuel fluctuates with the market, she said. Potts said her goal is to work in governmental relations and lobby for the agriculture industry. She was inspired to pursue this career because her family owned a dairy farm, and she had served as a Senate page in the General Assembly. Since then, she has wanted to be involved in agriculture and government in some way, she said.

Previously, Potts had an internship in governmental relations with the Virginia Farm Bureau. She also serves as Virginia Tech’s Virginia General Assembly Fellow and will go back to Richmond next semester where she will work with Virginia Tech’s lobbyists and governmental-relations staff.