My Early Field Experience in Morrow County

Krysti Dubler
Bowling Green, Ohio
Community Leadership, Community and Extension Education
Senior

During the first two weeks of May this past spring I had the awesome opportunity to complete my early field experience in Morrow County under 4-H Extension Educator Becky Barker.  During my time there I was able to take part in many different aspects of Morrow County 4-H and assist in the planning and preparation processes of multiple events.

One of my favorite events I was able to help with was the Morrow County Environmental Day for second graders held at Mt. Gilead State Park.

Environmental Day is a collaboration between many different entities in Morrow County and OSU Extension through which second graders take a field trip to Mt. Gilead State Park to learn about all aspects of the environment ranging from watersheds and weather patterns to seeds and wild turkeys.  Each lesson throughout the day is relatable to what is being taught in their science classes.

4-H in the classroom is one thing that I have never really been exposed to but during my time in Morrow County Becky and I went to Mt. Gilead Elementary School twice a week to teach 3rd and 4th graders about agriculture.  The lessons Becky taught in each session were always hands on and interactive to keep the students interested and present throughout the one hour session.

The students found the lessons on eggs and chickens to be the most interesting because each were given their own individual egg which was placed in an incubator to grow and hatch by the end of the month of May.

My favorite memories from my time in 4-H were while I was a camp counselor and Jr. Fair Board member.  There were two quality assurance sessions, a Jr.

Fair Board meeting and a camp counselors meeting during my two weeks that I was able to attend.  I really enjoyed seeing how different and similar procedures and rules are between my home county and Morrow county in these areas.  That is one thing I love about 4-H – every county is different in the way their 4-H camp, Jr. Fair Board, CarTeens, etc. are handled and each county has their own perfect blend of their events.

My time in Morrow County was an invaluable experience.  I met some of the most “4-H spirited” people who are involved in Morrow County 4-H in one way or another to help improve the opportunities youth have through 4-H.  My Early Field Experience in Morrow County helped me solidify my decision of becoming an Extension Educator in the future.

 

Thanks Krysti for sharing about your Early Field Experience!

More than just a summer camp

By: Carley Snider
Felicity, Ohio
Agriscience Education
Sophomore

When most people hear the words “summer camp,” they imagine campers swimming, making crafts, playing sports, etc. However, after spending my summer as a staffer at Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum; I know the potential that summer camps have to be much more.

Having spent many days at this camp in years past, I felt fairly confident that my expectations for the summer were spot on. I knew I would be tasked with planning and executing activities, facilitating games, and assuring campers’ safety. However, my biggest job for the summer, and most impactful, was one I hadn’t quite planned.

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Carly and a group of students at FFA Camp Muskingum.

Upon arriving to camp, my fellow staffers and I decided that we wanted to bring back an event that had been held at camp in the past, the “Hunger Banquet.” This would be a poverty simulation that would be held during a dinner at camp. Campers would be randomly placed into the low, middle, or high class and would be served a meal representing what that class eats for dinner in America. After some planning, I decided to take it upon myself to write a curriculum to make this event more than just a dinner. With help from the Ohio FFA state officers that attended camp, our “Hunger Banquet” became an entire presentation on poverty and hunger in America. As someone passionate about these issues, it was truly impactful to watch students have their minds and hearts opened to the issues happening around them. This summer, summer camp became more than just “fun in the sun” for the campers and myself. It became an opportunity to explore how we can benefit the world around us.

Thank you Carly for sharing your summer experience with us!

 

This post originally appeared on the CFAES Student Blog. Please check out their posts by other students from all areas of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

 

Early Field Experience

Brittanie Johnson
Hilliard, Ohio
Community Leadership, CEE
Senior

This past Maymester I had the privilege to do my Early Field Experience with the Franklin County Extension office. My very short time there was some of the best moments that I will take away from my overall OSU experience! I got to be involved in a variety of programs, meetings, and conferences with OSU Extension. After not knowing much about extension before the semester, I now know a lot about the amazing thing that Extension is! Extension has changed so many lives and I hope that one day I can help be a part of that change! #BestEFEever!

Brittanie Johnson, photo 2

 

My Summer Spent with Beck’s

This post originally appeared on the CFAES Student Blog. Please check out their posts by other students from all areas of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

 

By: Meghan Bennett
Houston, OH
Agricultural Communication
Junior

In today’s professional world, internships are a must have experience for any college student, no matter their major or interests. But I feel especially lucky for the opportunity to work in Beck’s marketing department this summer. I not only gained exceptional field experience, but found out what it means to be a part of a family-owned company.

My responsibilities ranged from helping create content for monthly newsletters, social media posts, and advertising materials to developing a press release and gathering customer testimonials. A major project and one I truly enjoyed was my weekly Intern Avenue post on the Beck’s Blog. This blog serves as a journal for my summer spent with Beck’s.

Meghan Bennett (from CFAES blog)

Most importantly, I learned that sometimes life is not always about taking the road most traveled, but building your own path along the way. With that being said, I am so happy to share that my role with Beck’s will continue as I’ll be working part-time while attending school. This means that not only will I continue to work for Beck’s, but I will also continue my Intern Avenue blog posts.

Thanks to both the Beck Family and the Beck’s family of employees who have touched my heart this summer and made it possible for college students like myself to not only better themselves, but also the future of agriculture.

Early Field Experience

Rachel Schoville
Alpena, Michigan
Agriscience Education
Junior

Hello everyone! For those of you who don’t know for education majors have to complete an early field experience which consists of ten consecutive day of observation with in an Agriscience Classroom. I was lucky enough to be placed closer to home at Whittemore- Prescott High School located in Whittemore, Michigan.

As the day went by and it became closer to my start date I found myself becoming nervous and worried about what I had to complete in the limited time. However looking back now I realize that that was probably a little silly since I actually had extra time at the end of the 10 days. However, during this great experience I was able to work one on one with students and I was even given the chance to teach. I believe that this better prepared me for the classroom as I was able to try multiple techniques and strategies to get the feel of what worked and what didn’t.

As for those agriscience education majors who have yet to complete their EFE the most important advice if one should take any is to teach, because I feel it will tell you if you are in the right career field. As for me I truly cannot wait to get back in the classroom and be able to teach again. Best experience ever!

Yours truly,
Rachel Schoville

Why You Should Attend the ACEL Visit Day

 Mariah Stollar
Marietta, Ohio
Community Leadership
Community & Extension Education

It was the fall of my senior year, which was a time of much anticipation.  I had just finished the application process to The Ohio State University, and I was extremely anxious to find out whether or not I would officially become a buckeye. Shortly after, I heard there was a visit day specifically for the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership (ACEL) at Ohio State.  I decided to attend because I chose the Community Leadership major when I applied and thought this would be a great way to learn more about it.

I had visited Ohio State my junior year with the Experience OSU for a Day program. I learned a lot about the university and the Agricultural Communication and Community Leadership majors specifically.  Shadowing a student was also a great part of the experience, and it made me realize that I could see myself at this university.  Because I had such a great experience on this visit, I was even more inclined to attend the ACEL Visit Day.

On the visit day, everyone in CFAES was extremely welcoming.  I met several Community Leadership majors, students with similar majors, staff and several professors from CFAES.  The students and faculty were extremely eager to get to know me and answer my questions.  I was also given a tour of CFAES.  While my dad attended the financial aid session, I attended a sessions in which Community Leadership majors presented the types of classes that were required.  They also discussed several of the student organizations offered in the college, many of which I hadn’t even heard of before.

Overall, it was an enjoyable visit.  It solidified my decision in choosing The Ohio State University and CFAES.  The visit also gave me a better idea of what to expect in college.  If you are even considering a major in the ACEL department, check out this visit day!

A Summer in Georgia with AGCO

By: Kelly Fager
Wauseon, Ohio
Agricultural Communication
Senior

A summer of personal and professional growth was one I had this year interning with AGCO in their North America Marketing – Communication and Public Relations department at headquarters in Duluth, Georgia.

I had several large projects this summer that helped contribute to the success of AGCO.  Whether assisting with an internal global brand rollout or participating actively in an upcoming launch for the new state-of-the-art Dealer Portal, I was able to provide knowledge and input as a team member.  I personally contributed to these projects and other program launches by initiating communication plans, writing content pieces, activating the plans and creating surveys to measure success. I traveled to Jackson, Minnesota to visit the plant and tour Intivity Center for a media event.  This opportunity allowed me to interact firsthand with agriculture media and see the pride AGCO employees have in these Jackson built machines.  Although just a few of my projects, I had a well-rounded and worthwhile internship.

Not only did I spend my summer being a tourist in Georgia but also AGCO did provide several unique experiences that I’ll never forget.  Eating lunch with the CEO or driving a Challenger tractor during Ride-and-Drive definitely was memorable experiences from my summer in the south!

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Kelly and agricultural communication alum Brent Stammen.

This summer was more than just an internship for me. It was a chance to see the future of agriculture as my career and why agriculture is in such an exciting time with equipment, technology and feeding a growing population.

AGCO allowed me in this internship to make it “Your Agriculture Company” in the sense of my projects, company contributions and personal takeaways.

I’m thankful for this summer internship opportunity I had and know that I will be using the resources that AGCO provided for my future career in agriculture.

 

Thank you Kelly for sharing your internship experience with us!

Justin Feltz’s Early Field Experience at Fort Loramie High School

By: Justin Feltz
Versailles, Ohio
Agriscience Education
Sophomore

This past May I had the pleasure to be in a classroom with many eager young minds along with a great instructor, Mr. Matt Pleiman. Although the experience was short it was very fulfilling. It made me realize that I want to teach Ag Ed! I can honestly say I looked forward to going to school every day, and left every day with a smile on my face.

During my time at Fort Loramie we work in the shop extensively. Many students needed to finish up projects. The green house sale was also going on and kept students very busy as well. I was fortunate enough to be able to work side by side with the students and the instructor, helping them with whatever problem arose. This was honestly one of the best experiences I have had thus far in my college education. My early field experience has created a huge passion for me becoming an agriscience education instructor.Justin Feltz, photo 1

Each week we will be featuring a student’s internship or early field experience. Thank you Justin for sharing your experience.

Forever Changed

Amy Jo Frost
Bloomingburg, Ohio
Agriscience Education
2014 Graduate

We are each a unique portrait of different experiences and circumstances.

Some experiences are more influential than others and leave deep, lasting imprints on our canvas.  I graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in agriscience education and the very next day boarded a plane bound for Choluteca, Honduras with a group of strangers.  After just two weeks in Honduras and the experience of a lifetime, my unique portrait was forever changed.

In the weeks leading up to my graduation, I found myself burnt out on school, work, relationships, and life in general.  I had become so bound to the schedule I kept that I forgot to enjoy life and allow myself the freedom to experience new things and relax.  I was so focused on being involved, being productive without end, and scheduling my life minute for minute that the joy and passion I once exuded had almost disappeared.  As I close one chapter of my life and enter a brand new one, being in Honduras allowed me to gain perspective on where I want to go and what I want and need to do.

One of the days we arrived at the school for a special program and I sat towards the front.  As I watched the program, a little girl sitting behind me began playing with my hair and before I knew it, she’d braided it all down my back so it wouldn’t get in my face.  She tucked pieces of hair behind my ears and wrapped her arms around me as I watched the program and for a moment everything seemed to stop… I saw the love the little girl was showing me.

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She didn’t know me at all and had no obligation to show me any sort of attention, but she did anyway.  For a moment, I looked out across the room filled with Honduran children and fought tears.  In that moment I realized that all these people truly want is love and my heart is filled with love that I want to give them in any way that I can.  Although we didn’t speak the same language, she still spoke to me and she did so through love and care.  I’ll never forget the small act of love she showed me and will strive to show others the same love.

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As an American and as a college student, it’s so easy to get caught up in work and earning money and basing success on both of these.  While these things are important, they shouldn’t be our goal and definition of success.

When I allowed those to become my measure of success I felt burnt out and empty.  The little Honduran girl reminded me that even if you have nothing else, you have a heart filled with love to give.  You never know how that love may impact someone else, just like the little girl may never realize how she impacted me.  But it’s selfless gifts such as this that fill us up and define true success, which is making an impact.

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As I reflect on all that the trip meant to me, I see my love of relationships, passion for international agriculture, appreciation for relaxation and reflection in my life, and my desire to continue growing and bettering myself.  I am in awe of all that this trip has meant to me.  It’s meant developing friendships, discovering more about what I want to do with my life, and learning from the excellent role models that I’m blessed to be here with.  I know the impact of this trip will stretch further than I can ever imagine and I hope my work with this isn’t finished.  As I approach the next chapter of my life in graduate school, I hope this is only the beginning of my work in international agricultural education in Honduras!

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Because of this trip, my future has been forever changed.

 

 

Thanks Amy Jo for sharing your experience on the Community Development study abroad trip in Honduras. Photos taken by Shelby Faulkner.

West Virginia Extension

 

Zach Bartenslager
Lewisburg, West Virginia
Community Leadership, Extension Education
Senior

I had the awesome opportunity this summer to complete my EFE (Early Field Experience) with the Greenbrier County Extension, in my hometown of Lewisburg, W.V. Throughout my 80 hours that I completed, I found myself doing many different activities. Some of my more memorable activities included: coaching the 4-H Livestock Judging Team, painting the Tribal Council Circle at 4-H camp, helping our agriculture agent identify different problems, and even grading project books! This experience has really helped me identify what I want to do in life. I am glad to have this under my belt, and I am ready for another great semester this fall at Ohio State!

Zach Bartenslager, photo 1 (rotated)

Zach Bartenslager, photo 2 (rotated)

Each week we will be featuring a student’s internship or early field experience. Thank you Zach for sharing your experience.