Month: January 2018

Internship Spotlight on National Milk Day

Today is National Milk Day and we figured, what better day to highlight an internship done by agricultural communication senior Brianna Gwirtz with the American Dairy Association Mideast this past summer.

Go grab a glass of milk – your choice if you want to get chocolate or strawberry – and enjoy reading about her internship.

 

This past summer I had the opportunity to intern with the American Dairy Association Mideast. I have always loved animals and telling people about animal agriculture, so it was a great fit for me to do communication work to support the dairy industry and dairy farming. ADA Mideast represents dairy farmers in Ohio and in West Virginia and are based out of Columbus, Ohio.

My duties as an intern varied and were different every day, which was one of my favorite things about the internship! I did a little bit of everything, from designing print pieces, to writing blogs, to making social media graphics, creating advertisements and of course doing a lot of face-to-face communication work with folks at the Ohio State Fair.

Along the way, I did a lot more than just communication work too! I got to visit and tour dairy farms across the state of Ohio. Every Friday in June for Dairy Month we did a Facebook Live event from a dairy farm and focused on new topics at each farm. I learned so much about the dairy industry, since my background is actually in goats and beef cows.

I also got to go to Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio to meet dieticians and food influencers for a tour. I got to hear from experts on food waste, environmental care, and from livestock care about how dairy farmers are working to become sustainable. I also heard from nutritionists on the importance of dairy in the diet. I also got to go to the Village for their farm heritage days to talk to people about dairy.

One of the more non-traditional duties of my internship was replacing the walls and floors of the butter cow cooler at the state fair! It was a lot of hard work, but it was really neat to be able to walk past the butter cow display at the state fair and know that I contributed to such a popular attraction. I also got to help promote the butter cow sculpture by designing a post card and all the signs that were displayed in the cooler with the cow.

At the state fair, I got to meet hundreds of people and answer their questions about dairy cattle and dairy farming. I also got to witness the birth of some really adorable Guernsey calves! Working at the state fair and talking to people made me realize how lucky I am to have grown up with an agricultural background.

There were two large graphic designing projects that I worked on all summer that I make me really proud. One of them is a handout I did called Strong Bones for Kids. It felt really great to see the published handout and to know that it will be used by pediatricians and dieticians across Ohio. I also created a poster promoting school breakfasts. It is also really awesome to know that schools across Ohio and West Virginia will get to see my design work!

Overall, it was a really great internship and experience. The communication team at ADA Mideast are top notch and I learned so much from them. The people I got to meet along the way and the work I got to do was very fulfilling. I am a better agricultural communicator because I had the opportunity to intern with the American Dairy Association Mideast!

Happy National Milk Day!

 

Alumni Spotlight, Nick Zachrich ’07

 

[ACEL]: Hi Nick! You have completed a bachelor and master of science degree in agriculture. Why did you select that area to study?
[Zachrich]: I love to share knowledge of agriculture with anyone and everyone and always enjoy learning something new about agriculture.

Why did you choose to attend The Ohio State University?
My passion for agriculture limited my search for a college but have always been a Buckeye at heart.

How did your education at Ohio State influence your choice of career or your career path?
I began working at Farm Science Review as a student and loved the people in the department as well as what Farm Science Review means to so many people in the agricultural industry. Ohio State is fortunate to have such an event of its magnitude with only a few farm shows that rival in size and scope. If I were not working at Ohio State, I would still be in the classroom. The professors in my time at Ohio State created a spark and excitement in me that built on my passion for teaching others about agriculture.

How were you involved as a student?
During my undergraduate education, I spent most of my free time working at Farm Science Review and working other jobs but was involved in Agricultural Education Society and very active in Block “O”.

What classes did you enjoy the most while at Ohio State?
I took a class on management intensive grazing with Dr. David Zartman that I really enjoyed. I have a stronger background in agronomy which this class pulled together principles of growing forages with the practical application of feeding cattle.

What professor, faculty or staff member had an impact on your education?
Dr. Whittington has inspired me from the time I switched my major to agricultural education with her upbeat attitude and encouragement to achieve goals.

What is your favorite memory related to your time at Ohio State?
My roommate Scott and I went to Tempe to watch the National Championship football game which I would consider the most exciting football game ever.

What was your first job following your education at Ohio State?
I was the agricultural education Instructor and FFA advisor for Fairview High School in Sherwood, Ohio.

As of today, what is your favorite career highlight?
I am the youngest of only four Farm Science Review managers in 55 years.

What advice would you give to a current student? 
Enjoy your time with friends but prepare yourself with good professional habits starting now. The people around you at Ohio State can be great references for your future career.

What did ACEL cultivate in you?
The most important thing that ACEL was able to cultivate in me is the understanding of why agricultural education is important in everyday life which becomes more evident all the time. Consumers are eager to know where their food comes from and how it is made and this can be accomplished one conversation at a time. Those of us involved in agriculture are a small percentage of the population but have a lot of knowledge that others seek.

A letter from Cole: Four weeks left to apply to Ohio State!

Future Buckeye,

As I approach my second semester at Ohio State and reflect upon my first, I realize how much I love my new school, new city and new friends. Being a student in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) has allotted me so many amazing opportunities.

Within my first semester, I have been able to study abroad in Nicaragua, attend a leadership conference in Kansas City and meet amazing faculty and students. The atmosphere of the Ohio State University is phenomenal; no matter what you find interesting, you can find it at Ohio State. My personal experience has consisted of Undergraduate Student Government, broomball, and the Mount Leadership Society.

I urge you to apply to Ohio State before the upcoming deadline (February 1, 2018 – 4 weeks from today)! Choosing to become a Buckeye has made a huge impact on my life already, and I am excited to see what’s next in my Ohio State story. CFAES works hard to advocate for its students and provides endless opportunities to each student it serves.

I hope that during the hustle and bustle of senior pictures, graduation plans and endless deadlines, you remember to apply to The Ohio State University. It was the best decision I ever made, and I hope you make it too!

Go Bucks!
Cole, ’22
agricultural communication student

PS – If you haven’t already visited campus, schedule an “Experience Ohio State for a Day” visit to learn more about the majors of agricultural communication, agriscience education and community leadership. Schedule your visit at cfaes.osu.edu/visit.

Cole (far right) with fellow CFAES freshmen in Nicaragua in December.

Cole with friends at an Ohio State football game this past season.