January | 2017 | Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership

Adam Marx graduated from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences in 2005 with a degree in agricultural education, and then again in 2008 with a master’s degree in agricultural education. Find out more about Adam Marx in our Q & A below:

Adam Marx, wife Bethany, and daughter Everly Ann

Leah: Where your career has taken you since graduating?

Adam: In 2014, I finished my Ph.D. in Agricultural Education at the University of Missouri and now work as a teacher educator at North Dakota State University. Prior to pursuing my doctorate, I taught school-based agricultural education at Cory-Rawson Schools in Rawson, Ohio during four great years. In between those two experiences, my wife and I lived in central Wisconsin for a couple of years where I worked as a farm lender primarily serving dairy farm enterprises. Ultimately, I decided the classroom was where I belonged and wanted to work at the collegiate level.

L: What is your current role in your career now?

A: As a teacher educator and assistant professor in agricultural education I have the great privilege of helping prepare future high school teachers. I say privilege because my daily teaching and scholarship provide me the opportunity to work with some of the best people in the business. Plus, I advise people toward their dream career!

L: Do you have any advice to prospective or current students?

A: Be decisive but flexible. That may seem counterintuitive, but leave room in your life and career aspirations for alternative influences. Always work toward clear goals and don’t forget to look in the periphery at times. You just never know what kind of cool addition to your life you might experience if you leave your blinders on.

L: What fun or interesting facts would you like to share about you and your family, or even your pets?

A: My wife Bethany and I just added to our family with our firstborn. We have a daughter, Everly Ann, born on July 11, 2016. She brings much joy to our life. We have a lab/sheltie cross dog name Paisley and we recently lost our 11-year-old golden retriever, Porter. We live at the western edge of Minnesota lakes country, so the landscape around our property is beautiful with some rolling hills, trees, and of course many bodies of water. We live in a log home on 40 acres, which keeps us quite busy.

L: Any hobbies?

A: I run and CrossFit, which has drastically been cut back since we had our baby. I also enjoy woodworking and many projects, small or large, around our home.

Meet the Faculty: Mary Rodriguez

January 12 2017December 22, 2016

Assistant professor of community leadership, Mary Rodriguez tells us a little bit about herself for this week’s “Meet the Faculty”:

“I am originally from Texas and living in the MidWest for the first time! I did my undergrad at Texas A&M (2008) and my masters (2010) and PhD (2015) at University of Florida. In between my Masters and PhD, I served in the U.S. Peace Corps from 2010-2012 in Cameroon, West Africa! I loved my time there as an agro-forestry volunteer where I worked with women’s groups and taught at an agricultural technical school. I lived in a village in the North region of Cameroon that had no running water, sometimes had electricity, and spotty cell service.

“I am currently an Assistant Professor of Community Leadership here in the department. I hope to bring more of the community (development) perspective to leadership, Ag education, extension, and communication. I am passionate about learning about people’s food security status in order to work with them to help build more resilient communities. Currently, I am excited to start working with a local Somali Refugee community to learn more about their food security!

“In my personal life, I love to take hikes and walks with my dogs and explore new places! I have a tremendous passion for traveling and learning more about people’s cultures and ways of life! Actually, I am writing this from South Africa where I have gotten to spend the last week or so and looking forward to another week learning more about the various cultures in SA!

“I am a first generation America. My mother is from Columbia and my father from Nicaragua. I spoke Spanish as my first language and then learned English in school. I learned French and a local tribal language during my time in the Peace Corps and consider myself fluent in English & Spanish and conversational/ semi-fluent in French (I need more practice!). I have nearly forgotten all of the tribal language… no one else speaks it! My favorite food is probably pizza, however, I love good Mexican food as well! The most odd thing I have ever eaten was python in Cameroon.“

You Shouldn’t Fear News and Magazine Writing

January 10 2017January 10, 2017

By Mallory Wippel
Agricultural Communication
Senior

Ever since my first semester at Ohio State I have heard bad reviews of News Writing (COMM 2221) and Magazine Writing (COMM 4202). Some students said that the professors were tough and expected a lot while others declared that they would never need these classes for what they wanted to do after graduation. So you could imagine my anxiety the day before the fall semester of 2016 when I was taking both classes. They were the only prerequisites standing between enrolling in the AgriNaturalist course (AGRCOMM 5135) and me.

Whether students are going to work in the agriculture industry or any other field; magazines are a key source in communicating with customers. Magazine writing teaches the ends and outs of writing, designing and working on a team to publish a magazine to the iBooks store.

News writing was by far more challenging. About every two weeks there was a news story due. Each student found a story and was responsible for interviewing 2-3 sources and gathering media to add support. It wasn’t always easy finding a something to write about that was new to Ohio State but once the semester went on, I found that news is all over, you just have to be looking for it.

It’s not secret that news and magazine writing are a few of the more challenging courses for the agricultural communication major, however, that they aren’t worth it. In the second week of the semester I was interviewing Dr. Bruce McPheron, Provost of Ohio State, about the summer tuition drop. These courses present an opportunity to talk to professors, students and leadership at the university that you wouldn’t otherwise do. Every student may not be a writer in his or her future career and that’s okay. However, the confidence to talk to people and ability to know how to go after the information you need is universal tool that every professional will need.

One of Wippel's story was selected to be published in the The Lantern.

One of Wippel’s stories from the news writing class was selected to be published in the The Lantern.

Meet the AES Officer Team

January 6 2017January 10, 2017

The 2017 executive team for Agricultural Education Society was announced at the annual banquet on November 15, 2016. The new officers shared their expectations for the coming year and why they decided to join Ag Ed Society.

2017 Agricultural Education Society Executive Team. From LtoR: Cody McClain, Christine Balint, Courtney Fulton, Katherine Bell, Abby Motter and Blake Campbell.

Blake Campbell, AES President
Waterford, Ohio
Agriscience Education
Junior

I am most excited to serve the Agricultural Education Society as President over the next year. I am excited to see our organization grow in the rich history that we have had over the past 135 years. Over the next year we will be focusing on our education and outreach through educating elementary students around Columbus about agriculture. I am excited to see our members grow as individuals and see each of them continue to share their own personal story about agriculture.

I joined Ag Ed Society because I wanted to share my story about agriculture. I come from a deep family history of agriculture with many stories to hear and tell. We all have stories of our own and if we take the time to hear each others stories, we will grow as an individual. Since I have joined AES I have grown as a person and I look forward to growing even more over the next year.

Abby Motter, AES Vice-President
Mansfield, Ohio
Agriscience Education
Sophomore

I’m most excited about serving as Vice President because I have the opportunity to increase the enthusiasm and participation of our members through organization of committees, improved efficiency, and adequate planning for our events – focusing on quality over quantity!

I joined AES because I wanted to be a part of the tradition, we are the oldest student org at the university! In addition, I wanted to further my personal and professional development as a pre-service teacher, and participate in educational outreach events that benefit our Columbus community.

Cody McClain, AES Treasurer
Upper Sandusky, Ohio
Agriscience Education
Sophomore

I never have held a treasurer’s position in a student organization, but I have always wanted to because I enjoy working with finances. I am excited to being leader in an organization that promotes student growth.

I joined AES becasue I wanted to meet and collaborate with individuals who were also passionate about educating and advocating for agriculture.

Christine Balint, AES Secretary
Vermilion, Ohio
Agriscience Education
Junior

I am excited to work with the new officer team and to continue my work as the ‘communicator’ within the club. I’ve been told I send some interesting emails that can grab your attention! I hope our organization continues to grow not only in numbers, but also with the events and services we promote to the community.

I joined AES because it is the oldest organization at The Ohio State University and I wanted to be apart of a group that was committed to spreading agricultural awareness as well as devote their time to serving the community. I’ve been exposed to students who showcase great leadership ability and I am proud to say I get to work with them as future co-workers.

Katherine Bell, AES Reporter
Liberty Center, Ohio
Agriscience Education
Junior

As the reporter I’m excited to get AES name out to the college. I want more people to know about our club and what we do.

I joined AES because I not only wanted to get to know my fellow educators, but I also wanted to teach. Ag Ed Society gives me both of those in one club!

Courtney Fulton, AES Representative to CFAES Student Council

Where Are They Now? Laura Ringler

January 5 2017December 22, 2016

From Columbus, Ohio → Blacksburg, Virginia → Carey, Ohio → Plymouth, Ohio, Laura Ringler has followed her passion for agricultural education. A 2007 graduate

Joe and Laura Ringler

in agricultural education from The Ohio State University, Laura spent the next two years at Virginia Tech earning her master’s in agricultural and extension education. After completing her graduate degree, Laura spent a year teaching at Carey High School, thereafter moving into her current position in 2010 as the agricultural educator at Plymouth High School.

This past year was a big year for Laura as she was awarded the New Outstanding Career and Technical Education Teacher for Ohio Association of Career and Technical Education in July.

In regard to advice for students, Laura cautions that life and college goes fast, so get involved. She says, “You will make friendships and memories that will last a lifetime..you might even find your future husband on the OSU Soil Judging Team too!”

Laura and husband Joe met while judging soils for Ohio State and they now enjoy growing and producing their own produce, with over 300 different varieties of plants in their landscaping.

Laura Ringler, husband Joe, and dog Annie

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Month: January 2017

Industry in the News

Where Are They Now? Adam Marx

Meet the Faculty: Mary Rodriguez

You Shouldn’t Fear News and Magazine Writing

Meet the AES Officer Team

Where Are They Now? Laura Ringler