November | 2015 | Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership

Not Your Average College Student

November 17 2015November 18, 2015

By: Katherine Bell
Liberty Center, OH
Agriscience Education
Sophomore

Being a college student is hard when you add up classes, job searching, gaining experience (such as internships, life experience, and job shadowing), pressure from parents/peers and financial issues. It can be stressful. When all that stress is adding up, who do you turn to; your parents, friends or maybe a teacher? Some won’t have these options available, for those students (living in residence halls or campus apartments) there are their Resident Advisors (RA).

For some students, talking to their RA might be the only person available. When the roles are reversed, seeing a campus through an RAs eyes is much different. Being an RA is both a blessing and a curse. Helping students with anything they need and always being there for them is amazing. Knowing that you made a difference in a resident’s life means a lot and knowing you’re leaving a lasting impact on them can turn your whole day around; but, as to every positive, there has to be a negative. Being an RA means that you are on duty 24/7. If a resident has a problem, you are expected to be there for them and help them out with whatever they need. Let’s take a little deeper look into the life of an RA.

1. Friends. During your first year of college you make tons of new friends, and meet tons of new people. Most of these friends you make you don’t know very well until later in the year, or even your second year of school. This leaves many people questioning how much they can trust them. When you become an RA, you have the awkward moment of potentially having to tell one of your friends they are violating some of the university policies. This can cause TONS of tension between friend groups-you find out who your real friends are.

2. School. As some residents tend to forget, RAs are students just like them. We have the same stressful classes, tests, and professors. Although we are going through the same classes, we still have to be there for you whenever. When you’re on a round, and you find something that needs documented, it doesn’t matter if you have an exam the next morning, you have to deal with the situation in the moment.

3. The Process. Since I’m not a student on the Columbus campus, but the Wooster campus (Ohio State ATI) our process is a little different than Columbus’. First in December you apply, after this is done, you go in for an interview. If you make it past the interview process, you’re invited to attend the seven-week seminar program where you will learn a more basic idea of what it means to be an RA. After these seven agonizing weeks are over, you get the email. This email will state if you have received the job or not. Meaning that you can go through the interview and the seminars and still not receive the job. Our housing coordinator, Mick Steiner, wants to know he’s hiring people who are their true selves, and you learn a lot about who you are in those seven weeks. After all this you come back two weeks before school starts to finish training and get the campus ready for the incoming students.

If you’re still with me at this point, I want to take a moment to thank you. The majority of the time with reading articles or posts this long I get bored halfway through and start doing something else. I promise I’m almost done. As agonizing as all of this may sound, I am so beyond blessed to have received the job as an RA at Ohio State ATI. The friendships I have made, the memories I have already, and the knowledge I have received through this job is astounding. I have learned more about myself and the world around me than I ever thought I would. If you even have a slight interest in becoming an RA, I encourage you to do it. I filled out the application with the attitude that I wasn’t even going to be in the running for a position, but I am so glad I did it, it changed me, and I hope it can change you too.

The Day I Received My American FFA Degree

November 16 2015November 6, 2015

By: Blake Fox

On October 31^st I woke up at 5:30 AM, but was too anxious to eat breakfast. At 7:05 I zipped up my favorite blue corduroy for the final time in six years. By 7:30 AM I was seated beside more than 3,000 other blue jackets. At roughly 10:45 AM I walked across the stage at the 88^th annual National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville Kentucky, proudly holding my American FFA Degree close to my chest. I shook the hand of the now former National FFA President Andy Paul. He congratulated me as we paused for a quick picture. I didn’t see any of the faces of the over 60,000 members and guests in attendance, I just heard the cheers in the distance from my friends, my family and my chapter as my name was called. I was handed my gold key and was off the stage in less than a minute. Ten minutes later I was laughing and hugging some of my best friends, trying our best not to be too sentimental. We shook hands and thanked those who congratulated us, smiled and posed for what seemed like thousands of pictures. At 11:30 AM I unzipped the jacket that changed my entire life for the very last time, knowing I won’t ever be putting it on again. My career as a member of the FFA was over in the course of a ceremony that lasted less than six hours. The day was bittersweet to say the least, and the feeling of standing on that stage that morning is simply indescribable. The day may have went by in the blink of an eye, but is easily one of my proudest moments. October 31^st 2015, the day I received my American FFA Degree is a day I’ll never forget.

Industry in the News

November 13 2015November 9, 2015

Education

Westfall FFA members attend Ohio FFA Camp

Farms bureau win national ag award

Chow Ling: Preschool ideal time to focus on healthy eating

Good news for ag science majors: The job market is hot

Student has write stuff in state fair essay contest

Communication

Agricultural communication student elected to National FFA office

Aanerud named national winner in Agricultural Communications

Talking GMOs and future of farming with Monsantos’ Robert Fraley

Leadership

Young Ag Professionals’ Leadership Experience to be held Jan. 29-30

24 students receive American FFA Degree

Community

ZT, OU-C student working on world food shortage

Advice from Grandpa keeping many farms in business

Volunteers Put Down Roots to Keep Kenai Peninsula Stream Banks Healthy

Industry

Pumpkins pack a nutritious punch

Pork exports up, beef exports struggling

Webinar Series Offers Insights Into cost Savings When Feeding Livestock

The need for technological agriculture

The Importance of FFA

November 12 2015November 24, 2015

By: Jared Shellhouse
Agricultural Communication
Junior

During my time in FFA, all of my friends seemed to get excited for their time spent at National FFA Convention. Every time they would return home, they seemed inspired, re-energized and motivated to make a change within their homes and communities. For me, it was always a little bit different because I would stay home to make sure I could run in our cross-country meets.

Therefore, this year marked only my second time attending National Convention. Both times were in Louisville, and both times were because I had a specific reason to go. Also, both times left me re-energized and hopeful for the future of agriculture and the leadership within FFA.

This year I went back to National Convention to receive my American FFA Degree. That means it also meant this convention was the last event I could attend as an FFA member. Don’t get me wrong, I was beyond thrilled to receive my degree, because I had put a lot of effort into it over the years. However, it was a little weird knowing that National Convention often shows members the opportunities that they can seize throughout their future FFA careers, but it was showing me how far I had already come.

I left National Convention realizing that the agriculture industry has a place for me. My friends were at convention with me, I witnessed the future of agriculture, and I was able to see how far this organization has pushed me throughout my life. I am inspired, re-energized and motivated to make a change within the agriculture industry.

ACEL Grad Student Social

November 11 2015November 10, 2015

On Saturday, November 7, Dr. Scott Scheer and his family welcomed our graduate students, faculty and staff into their home for a tailgate and social prior to the Ohio State vs. Minnesota football game.

Those in attendance were able to visit in a social setting with each other and families, as well as cheer the Buckeyes onto a victory over the Golden Gophers!

Thank you Dr. Scheer for your hospitality!

ACEL Weekly Update – November 10, 2015

November 10 2015

Upcoming Events

November 10 – LinkedIn Workshop and Networking Mocktails, 5pm
November 10 – Ag Ed Society Banquet, 6pm
November 12 – Honduras (Community Development) Study Abroad Info Session, 6pm, 205 Ag Admin
November 11 – Ag Ed Society Roadside Cleanup, 10am
November 14 – ACEL Alumni Reunion, 11:30am, Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill
November 17 – Ag Ed Society Meeting, 7pm, Ag Admin Auditorium
November 18 – ACT Meeting, 5:30pm, 205 Ag Admin
December 8 – Ag Ed Society Meeting, 7pm, Ag Admin Auditorium
December 16 – ACT Meeting, 5:30pm, 205 Ag Admin
December 20 – Graduating Senior Luncheon, Ag Admin Auditorium

News

On our website

24 students receive National FFA Degree
Buck receives Honorary National FFA Degree

On our Blog
Finding Unique Leadership in Millersburg by Brianna Gwirtz
Earning my American Degree by Kat Sharp
Industry in the News
Twelve ACEL students attend AFA conference
ACEL Weekly Update – November 4, 2015

LinkedIn Workshop and Networking Event – November 10
When: November 10 @ 5:30pm
Where: Kottman Hall 244 with networking reception to follow in the 2nd floor lounge area of Kottman

Do you have a LinkedIn profile that is sharp and represents you well? How do you write the summary section? What about recommendations?

Join the CFAES and ENR Career Development staff along with their guests from Hexion, Clean Fuels Ohio, OSU Alumni Career Management and more as we host a panel discussion about LinkedIn. Following our discussion, we will have time for networking with our guests. This is a great opportunity to learn some insider viewpoints on the hiring process.

Outstanding Senior Award Application Available

The application form for the 2016 Outstanding Senior Award is now available at http://go.osu.edu/cfaes-outstanding-senior. This is the premier award granted to seniors in CFAES. To qualify for consideration, applicants must have a 3.00 cumulative GPA at the time of application and be graduating during the 2016 calendar year. Selections are made based on the applicant’s record of scholarship, leadership, professional and personal growth and involvement in the community, both within OSU and beyond. The deadline for applications is December 16. All applications will be reviewed in January. A group of students will be selected, from all who apply, to interview with the selection committee in February. The group of Outstanding Seniors will be recognized at the CFAES Recognition Program on April 7, 2016. Contact Dr. Marilyn Trefz (.2) should you have questions.

Towers Info Session
Towers Agricultural Honorary is having an informational session on November 19 at 5:00pm, in Ag Admin 105, for those students who are interested in learning more about Towers and its application process. Pizza will be provided. If you are interested in applying to Towers and cannot make it to this meeting, don’t worry, there will be two more meetings in January. If you have any questions, please contact Recruitment Chair, Jared Ashworth, at ashworth.39@osu.edu.

Scholarships

Apply for the Edward S. “Beanie” Drake Scholarship!
Established in 1950, the purpose of the “Beanie” Drake Scholarship is to provide funds to enable deserving students to participate in campus activities when need might otherwise make it difficult or impossible for them to do so. The scholarship is funded by donations from students and student organizations of The Ohio State University and alumni affiliated with the “Beanie” Drake Scholarship. Upon review of all applications, selected candidates will receive an individual interview from the “Beanie” Drake Scholarship Board of Directors. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of current participation and service to campus and community, leadership potential, financial need, and academic achievement.
To learn more about this scholarship or to complete an application, please visit http://beanie.osu.edu/. Applications are due by December 20th, 2015. Please direct questions to Daniel Zimmerman at zimmerman.451@osu.edu.

CFAES Scholarship Application Now Open
Incoming and current CFAES, ATI/Wooster students and Ohio 4-H members your care in completing this form is very important. Please carefully read and follow the instructions. If you are applying for Ohio 4-H scholarships, there will be additional drop down boxes to complete. The priority deadline for submitting this form via the web is February 15, 2016. Apply here.
Study Abroad

Upcoming Study Abroad Information Sessions
Community Development – Choluteca, Honduras

Wednesday, November 4, 2015 in 251 Agricultural Administration at 6PM

Thursday, November 12, 2015 in 205 Agricultural Administration at 6PM
Czech Republic: Sustainability and Agricultural Policy in the EU
Monday, November 16 at 5:30pm in 246 Agricultural Administration
Wednesday, December 2 at 5:00pm in 160 Jennings Hall
Honduras: Community Development
Thursday, November 12 at 6:00pm in 205 Agricultural Administration
Iceland: Environment and Natural Resources
Monday, November 9 at 6:30pm in 115 Mendenhall Lab

Upcoming Study Abroad Application Deadlines
Ghana: Arts and Service Learning
Sunday, November 15 at 11:59pm

Internship and Job Opportunities

Internship Openings
Charleston Orwig – Public Relations Intern (Hartland, Wisconsin)
Fahlgren Mortine – Corporate Communications Intern (Columbus, Ohio)
General Mills – Marketing Communications Planning Intern (Minneapolis, MN)
Illinois Corn – Summer Internship (Bloomington, Illinois)
National 4-H – Citizen Washington Focus Program Assistant (Washington DC)
National 4-H – Educational Program Assistant (Washington DC)
Nestle – Marketing PR Intern (St Louis, Missouri)
Nestle – Corporate Affairs Intern (Stamford, Connecticut)
Nestle – Marketing Brand Management
Ohio Arts Council – Communication and Special Events Fellow (Columbus, Ohio)
Progressive Publishing – Editorial Internship (Jerome, Idaho)
State of Ohio, Transportation – Public Information Intern (Bowling Green, Ohio)
COSI – Camp-In Program Team Member (Columbus, Ohio)
Zoological Society of Milwaukee – Education Intern (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

Full-Time Job Openings
Audubon – Communications Associate (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Charley Philly Steaks – Director of Marketing (Columbus, Ohio)
Chicago Botanical Garden – Manager, Corporate Relations (Chicago, Illinois)
Chicago Botanical Garden – Media Relations Specialist (Chicago, Illinois)
For Wayne Children’s Zoo – Director of Communications (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Member Relations (Guelph, Ontario)
Los Angeles Zoo – Education Specialist (Los Angeles, California)
Madison County Chamber of Commerce – Communications Coordinator (London, Ohio)
National 4-H – Integrated Marketing Manager (Washington, DC)
National 4-H – Education Program Specialist (Washington DC)
National Wildlife Federation – Coordinator, Membership Marketing (Reston, Virginia)
National Wildlife Federation – Social Media and Engagement Specialist (Reston, Virginia)
Nestle – Corporate Communications Manager (Stamford, Connecticut)
Newport Aquarium – Public Relations Manager (Newport,Kentucky)
Ohio 4-H – Program Coordinator (Columbus, Ohio)
Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators – Communications Specialist (Columbus, Ohio)
Phoenix Zoo – Programs Coordinator (Phoenix, Arizona)
Radio U – Social Media Manager, Radio Promotions and Marketing Asst (Columbus, Ohio)
Rolling Hills Zoo – Education Coordinator (Salina, Kansas)
South Mountain Environmental Education Center – Manager of Education (Phoenix, Arizona)

Extension and Teaching Jobs
Ohio Ag Ed Openings
OSU Extension, Franklin County – Program Assistant
OSU Extension, Mahoning County – 4-H Educator

Jobs to check out on Hire-A-Buckeye
(must be logged in to Hire-A-Buckeye to see these job listings)
Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership

Volunteer Opportunities

Thanksgiving Food Basket Scheduler – November 12
Thanksgiving Food Sorting – November 19
Dickens of a Christmas Event – December 11, 12, 18, 19, 20

Food and Fiber Day

November 10 2015January 27, 2016

The Community Leadership 5330 course which focuses on teaching methods in non-formal settings hosted the Columbus School for Girls to the Ohio State Livestock Facilities last Friday for the annual Food & Fiber Day.

Students enrolled in the course developed and facilitated a lesson plan throughout the semester which would focus around agricultural processes, seasons, animal care, and more. The lessons were created that fit a first grade curriculum science standard.

Throughout the semester, students have been increasing their knowledge on teaching in non-formal settings. The unique opportunity to teach Columbus School for Girls first grade students at the sheep farm offered the perfect setting for applying their skills! First graders were welcomed to the farm and engaged in activities including a facility tour, rotating between educational stations, and concluding their day with making ice cream – all taught by COMLDR 5330 students!

Dr. Mary Rodriguez (or Miss Mary to the first graders) shared basic rules of the sheep barn so the new baby lambs would not be injured or frightened.

Community Leadership students and students from CSG listen to Miss Mary’s rules before the educational activities began.

The girls were excited to see three baby lambs, so they had a few seconds to check them out before giving all of their attention to the presenters.

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The girls listened patiently as the Community Leadership students taught them about agriculture.

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One station focused on the differences in a ram and a ewe.

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One of the most exciting stations of the day is when the girls are able to see our herdsman sheer a sheep. This doesn’t hurt the animal and is similar to humans getting their hair cut.

Finding Unique Leadership in Millersburg

November 10 2015November 6, 2015

By: Brianna Gwirtz
Shelby, Ohio
Agricultural Communications and Animal Sciences
Sophomore

What is one of the coolest parts about attending Ohio State ATI in Wooster? Being so close to a unique agricultural culture that many of us are familiar with: the Amish. It is no big deal to go driving down the road and pass a horse and buggy while attending ATI. Wooster is very near the heart of Amish country and there are approximately 36,000 members of the Amish community located within a five county area, including Wayne and Holmes county. I am in the Foundations of Personal and Professional Leadership class here at ATI, which happens to meet for lecture between 5:20-6:40… right during supper time. With some swift convincing, my class convinced our professor, Dr. Nathan Crook, to take us on a field trip featuring Amish cuisine. In order to learn more about leadership, to keep with the class’ curriculum, I contacted and coordinated the guest speaker, former Amish bishop Jacob Beachy and his wife, Irma.

We started our night at Raber’s Home Cooking in Millersburg, where Maudey Raber and her husband and daughters served us a delicious family style meal. The meal consisted of friend chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, homemade bread, noodles and of course home made pies! After the meal, Mr. Beachy spoke to us about leadership within the Amish community. He explained what he thought was the best traits as a leader: gaining trust from your followers, always being there when someone needs you, and not being afraid to stick your neck out. He explained a variety of topics, such as how women can perform leadership roles, why Amish choose to live a simple life, and the different rankings of leaders within the Amish faith. Overall, it was a great evening of food, fellowship and getting to experience a new culture.

Earning my American Degree

November 9 2015November 24, 2015

By: Kat Sharp
Agricultural Communication
Sophomore

I was lucky enough to get to attend my sixth and final National FFA Convention as an FFA member a few days ago, where I got to walk across the big stage wearing my FFA jacket for the last time. I was flipping through my General Record book last year when I was filling out the application for my American Degree and saw the pages where, as a high school freshman, I wrote down my goals for the future. I realized that, though so many of my plans had changed, I had accomplished almost every one of my goals that I had set for FFA. The American Degree is the highest degree that an FFA member can achieve. To know that I was able to accomplish something that only 0.5% of FFA members are able to accomplish was truly amazing. It is so nice to get credit for all of the hard work and dedication that I put into my FFA career.

I had a wonderful time at convention and was so lucky to get to go again this year in particular. I loved watching so many other Ohio FFA members earn such high achievements. This was definitely Ohio FFA’s year to shine! I especially loved attending the final session of the 88^th National FFA Convention and hearing President Andy Paul give his retiring address about the importance of holding on to something. FFA has given me so much over the years. It will always be that one special thing that I hold onto and never fully let go of. FFA has helped shape me into the person I am today. I hope I can someday give back as much to the organization that has given so much to me. I am currently a member of my FFA chapter’s alumni in the attempt to give back as much as I can to the chapter that has helped me accomplish so much.