My Wild Summer

By: Samantha Johnson
Sugar Grove, IL
Animal Sciences, major
Community Outreach Education, minor

When you think about working with wildlife, education probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Most people think wildlife rehabilitation or zoos. I tried both of those things but neither of them felt quite right. I decided to try out the education side of things with an internship at Ohio Wildlife Center. It was everything I could have hoped for.

Sam Johnson, photo 1

I spent my summer teaching different groups of people, adults and children alike, all about wildlife, the mission of the center, and the animal ambassadors we had there. I also had the chance to work with kids during on site day camps. Just being able to see their interest in wildlife and help them learn more about it brought such a joy to me. I was so happy spending my days there. I came to know the staff and the resident animals very well and miss them dearly. The season is over now but you can bet I’ll be going back to volunteer. I may have chosen a career with few job opportunities but when you find something you’re this passionate about, you just have to go with it.

Samantha wrote this blog post as an in class assignment for the agricultural communication 2367 writing course. All opinions are her own.

Birds of a Feather, Flock Together

By: Tricia Schoen
Bellevue, OH
Agriscience Education
Sophomore

Let me just first say, I’ve learned that if you’ve never had any experience with Greek Life, it’s hard to look from the outside and understand it, and if you are involved with Greek Life, it’s hard to explain what it really means in a concise definition. So as I try to explain to you these reasons, know that some feelings and emotions cannot be explained because they cannot be put into words.

As I understand Greek Life is not for everyone, here are some reasons why joining my agricultural sorority recreated my passion for agricultural education.

1. Different Places, One Cause.
Rural, urban, out of state, in state, we all came from different places. We were all raised differently with different experiences but we all have an interest in one thing: agriculture. These women have taught me how to become a better educator to all different people, not just people who grew up the same way I did.

2. Agriculture is not just about cows and plows.
Although it can be easy to get caught up in teaching about livestock and crop production, the diversity of majors that come throughout my sorority have rejuvenated my ideas on what to teach in the classroom. Food science, agricultural communications, environmental sustainability,  and agricultural economics are just a few aspects of agricultural that I now can teach in my future classroom.

3. Service never goes out of style.
Even though we are required to have service hours every semester, the women in my sorority never cease to amaze me about their love to give back to the community. Whether that be volunteering at a pumpkin patch or doing activities for our philanthropies to FarmAid and the American Heart Association, I hope to instill that same initiative into my future program.

4.  Networking is everything.
Throughout my short time I’ve been a part of Alpha Sigma Upsilon, I have met some of the most amazing people. Getting to personally know every girl in my sorority, my network coming into college now has exponentially grown. I now will be able to call upon these women in the future and forever, as references for my teaching and for my students. I now have a whole network that many will never have the chance to receive, and I am grateful.

Tricia and her Alpha Sigma Upsilon sisters.

Tricia and her Alpha Sigma Upsilon sisters.

As someone who came into Greek Life so I could build my resume, I never thought my sorority would recreate my passion for agricultural education, and how I look at it. For that I am forever  grateful and in debt to the women of Alpha Sigma Upsilon.

 

Tricia wrote this blog post as an in class assignment for the agricultural communication 2367 writing course. All opinions are her own.

Agriculture is Home, especially Agricultural Education Society

By: Miranda Miser
Cumberland, Ohio
Agricultural Communications
Sophomore

A little over a year ago I became a member of The Agricultural Education Society; the oldest student organization on campus. Not being an Agriscience Education major, I was very skeptical about joining this group. I had been warned numerous times through orientation, and peers to not become over involved or join organizations that take up too much time. However, joining Ag Ed Society helped acclimate me to college life and introduced me to lifelong friends.

At my first meeting, officer applications were passed out and new members were encouraged to apply for committee chair roles. I, being ambitious, decided to take on a leadership role not knowing an abundant amount of information about the group. I applied for and received the position of fundraising chairman. I was immediately given the task of coming up with fundraising events and implementing them. The society’s largest fundraiser of the year is working the Schmidt’s Sausage stand at Farm Science Review.

Even though implementing this event would be simple for some, to me it was a struggle. I was in charge of finding students to work time slots, and cover all shifts. This tested my leadership skills in a way I was unfamiliar with. We were short on people, so I volunteered to work as many shifts as I could.

The thought of driving to London, Ohio every day and serving food made me bitter. But once I got there, started working with the other students I was hooked. In those few short hours I had made friends that I knew would last a life time. We even did a cheer for Schmitt’s world famous cream puffs. It went along the lines of “We got cream puffs, yeah! We got cream puffs.” This was such an awesome opportunity where I was able to laugh and learn.

Miranda (orange hat) and two fellow Ag Ed Society members working at the Schmidt's Sausage Stand at Farm Science Review.

Miranda (orange hat) and two fellow Ag Ed Society members working at the Schmidt’s Sausage Stand at Farm Science Review.

I never thought that a student organization would open the door to lifelong friendships and leadership opportunities. Through the meetings, service opportunities and social events, I have learned to call this organization my home. It’s the place that has truly made my love of agriculture grow and it has also made me certain that I want a career in this industry.

 

 

Miranda wrote this blog post as an in class assignment for the agricultural communication 2367 writing course. All opinions are her own.

ASE Student works at Farm Science Review with his Fraternity

By: Craig Higbea
Defiance, Ohio
Agriscience Education
Sophomore

The men of Delta Theta Sigma (DTS) social/ professional agricultural fraternity once again this year ran the recycling program at Farm Science Review.  We took the time as members to drive out there whenever we did not have class to pick up cardboard, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles.

Recycling at Farm Science Review is one of the things that we do annually as community service.  The amount of recycling that is picked up throughout a day is amazing to me.  The men of DTS, pick up two to three of the huge dumpsters heaped over the top with recyclables.  Also we go before the review starts in order to put up signs and bag all of the recycle cans. The cans are also in groups so we spread them out after we bag the cans. Then most of the time is spent driving around and checking the recycle cans and picking up card board sat out by the paths. I believe that this is one of the best community service projects that we do.  This not only helps the earth but it helps the earth through a farm show which also supports our focus as a fraternity.

Craig (at the wheel) with three of his fraternity brothers. Two of the brothers are also agriscience education majors.

Craig (at the wheel) with three of his fraternity brothers. Two of the brothers are also agriscience education majors.

Also the involvement of DTS does not end at Farm Science Review with recycling project, as we had three members in BLOCK for Agriscience Education. These gentlemen taught activities and gave tours at the natural resources area.  We also have a member who works year round for Farm Science Review, working to get the grounds ready.

 

Craig wrote this blog post as an in class assignment for the agricultural communication 2367 writing course. All opinions are his own.

 

The Struggle, choosing a second writing course

By: Tony Grigg
Madeira, Ohio
Geography, Society and the Environment
Junior

As the time rolls around where we students get to sign up for new classes you might be thinking to yourself, what do I want to take this semester? Of course, you want every class to be interesting, and that is usually the case with courses in your major, but what about all those gosh darn GE’s? You heard from this friend this class is easy, and from your other friend that class is hard. As cheesy as it is, every student has a yearning to take classes that help them grow, though it might be buried really deep.

This semester for my second writing course and final GE, I chose Agricultural Communication 2367. Coming from a background completely absent of agricultural roots, it shocked many of my friends why I would take such a class, but I haven’t regretted it for one second. Not only has this class helped me enhance my writing style and range of writing skills, but it also influences very important areas of my life that I first overlooked. Studying contemporary and often controversial aspects of agriculture topics, such as fracking or GMOs, a whole new world of viewpoints I haven’t even thought about has presented itself to me. One of the main reasons for this is the fact that the class is mainly comprised of students from agricultural backgrounds, who really have firsthand experience and informed opinions on these topics. Along with my colleagues, we have brought in several guest speakers who are experts on our areas of interest. Altogether, it really has provided a basis for much more critical thinking on my part, which is always a positive to take out into everyday life.

Tony Grigg, photo 1

Another great aspect about this class is the fact that the issues are contemporary, as well as tangible, as in GMOs affect not just the nation’s food supply, but my personal supply and diet as well. That is the advantage the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences holds over all other schools, it affects everyone in daily life, including you!

Tony Grigg, photo 2

Overall, AGRCOMM 2367 has made me a much better-rounded and credible thinker thus far, and it is only halfway through the semester! Of course, none of this influence came without resistance, as at first it was hard for me to really resonate with some of my colleagues’ opinions, but they really did affect me positively after a while, and I am truly happier for it. So, when looking for classes to take, do not reflect on whether a class is easy or tough, but rather how it can present an opportunity for you to grow in knowledge and character. In the words of Frederick Douglas, “Without struggle, there can be no progress.”

A Whole New World

By: Adam Kaddoura
Yorba Linda, California
Evolution and Ecology
Junior

Agricultural tourism can establish the foundations to understand the world of agriculture. Opening a whole new world to growing individuals, and allowing them to determine the importance of a business, a business that has been at the foundation of society since the beginning of man. As the members in the agriculture sector the responsibility to spread this knowledge to our youth across the country, falls directly on our shoulders. No longer can we have children grow up and not understand the duties of a farmer; no longer can we allow children to sit down at the dinner table and not wonder where their food came from; no longer can we allow a society that shrugs off the work of the local farmers.

Growing up in California, I was emerged in a society that was supposed to be an agricultural power house for the United States. Despite living in a state with great agricultural power, I was tucked away from ever understanding the duties that my local farmers performed on a daily basis to provide food for my family.  Day in and day out, I was part of a world I had no idea I was a part of. Consuming the food provided for me by the thousands of people that make up the agricultural sector of my community. I didn’t know nor did I care of the world that was secretly the biggest part of my life.

Adam K, photo 1

Click on the infographic to see what part of California your food comes from.

Spreading agricultural tourism across the nation will allow all children to become exposed to the world which runs their lives. In doing so, we will generate a population that is willing to increase the power and status of agriculture.

 

Adam wrote this blog post as part of an in class assignment for the Agricultural Communication 2367 course. All opinions are his own.

Horsin’ Around

By: Lindsey Walls
Mendon, Ohio
Agribusiness and Applied Economics
Sophomore

Becoming a student at the Ohio State University was amongst one of the greatest choices I have ever made. Being only a sophomore, I have gotten to experience so many exciting things and have learned more than I could have ever imagined. For my agriculture communication class project, we were required to visit a place of agri-tourism, learn more about their marketing techniques, and ways of educating city folks who don’t get to experience everyday life on the farm. My friend, Kandace, and I chose to tour the Marmon Valley Farms, in Zanesville, Ohio, and learn more about their way of generating agri-tourism and agri-tainment.

Lindsey Walls, photo 2

As we drove up the long, winding driveway, on our way to the ranch, on the beautiful fall day, my friend and I were so eager for this experience. As our tour guide greeted us, she was more than excited to show us around. We began our tour around the farm by walking through all of the sites, there were many barns filled with fun games and activities, other barns were filled with animals waiting to be petted. There was something for everyone to do of all ages and backgrounds. However, the barns filled with animals and games weren’t the extent of all the activities. One of the kids’ favorite things to do was to ride the horses. Marmon Valley Farms houses over 150 horses, which were all rescued. On sunny afternoons the kids get to ride a horse of their choice into the hills of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Kandace and I got to do many different things while we were thing, amongst our favorite, getting to pet all 150 horses and watch them interact with one another out in the pasture.

Lindsey Walls, photo 1

I’m really glad I got to experience this version of agri-tourism, as it was something that I never had done. It was really a neat experience. I learned a lot about agri-tourism and agri-tainment, and that in order to be successful; you must have entertainment for all types. Even though the Marmon Valley Farm’s main goal was to give the kids the experience of riding horses along with the “farm-life experience”, you must include all different types of activities, for all of the different young interests’. The weather was nice, the horses were beautiful and altogether, our Friday afternoon at the Marmon Valley Farm couldn’t have been any better.

 

Lindsey wrote this blog post as part of an in class assignment for the Agricultural Communication 2367 course. All opinions are her own.

WHAT’S INTERESTING: THE Agricultural Communication Class

By: Jin Heng Cheah
Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
Computer Science
Junior

Today’s section of WHAT’S INTERESTING will be covering the agricultural communication class. Why an agricultural communications class you say? WELL, that’s because this class has cranked up my thought engines, in the creative way.

Every Monday in class, you come in knowing you’ll learn about a new topic. Normally, you’d be bored because it’s for 2 hours on a Monday morning but have no fear, Dr. Filson teaches here. The nice lady Dr. Filson always has a video or two to entertain you on various topics discussed in class. I do not know why she loves them videos, but I like it. Here are the numerous examples of her penchant for videos:

First week of class, we are forced to learn about high school grammar, AGAIN. Since reiterating learned material is boring, she decides to show a video entitled “The parts of speech rap”. Huzzah, short and simple, fast and easy. Mission accomplished.

Second week of class, she talks about descriptive writing. Deciding slides were utterly boring, she shows two videos. One is an upbringing take on agritourism and how it positively affects agriculture as a whole. In death-defying contrast, the other is a Weird Al Yankovic video making fun of the Amish (It was an example of agritainment). After the video finishes, she puts on a smile, ignores why such a death-defying contrast is presented and then she tells us to write our opinions as the end of the class. Teaching, Done, Right.

Fast forward a fortnight ahead, she starts talking about fracking. She brings up another two videos to skip any boring long dragged out discussions. First video: Fracking is good and safe, backed up with science. Next video: Fracking is bad, backed up by about 5-7 minutes of an overly emotional lady needing to sell her house away because the ground around her area is toxic from fracking. Dr. Filson does something right here, she makes students think. Teaching should be about encouraging the thought process because then, the creative engines start rolling. It shouldn’t be about attending class and going through material because attendance is required and taught material is an obligation.

Moving on from Dr. Filson, WHAT’S INTERESTING about this class too is the guest speakers. There’s an invited speaker about every class. From crisis communication (I personally don’t understand why an introductory class prepares you for failure) to GMOs, this class has taught me a lot about agriculture and the agricultural background.

Jin Cheah, photo 1

Now here’s the smart thing, they (the CFAES) know students won’t listen to guest speakers because they understand 2 hours of class on a Monday morning is horrible. SO, they give you assignments on these topics. Assignments force you to relearn the topics through google on another more convenient time. The only downside is that assignments are annoying but, bah, such is student life.

That’s all for today’s section of WHAT’S INTERESTING. I won’t be blogging anytime soon so goodbye for now.

 

Jin wrote this blog post as part of an in class assignment for the Agricultural Communication 2367 course. All opinions are his own.

 

Finding my Fit

By: Karli Lump
De Graff, Ohio
Agricultural Communications
Sophomore

Last summer, I had the honor of interning for Trupointe Cooperative in their Marketing Services department in Wapakoneta, Ohio. I had such a great experience working with customers as well as fellow employees and I gained knowledge that is not found in the classroom, but can only be gained in the real world.

My first day, I sat down with my manager and she proceeded to explain some of the jobs I would be in charge of this summer. I was terrified. Not only did it consist of working in programs I had no experience in, but I also had to create weekly plot updates that would be sent out to the employees. I left that day thinking there was no way I was qualified for this internship. I had only just completed my freshman year of college!

Boy, was I wrong. After several weeks I got the hang of things. I was able to work in programs such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, as well as dabbling in web and video design! I also spent time out of the office and in the fields taking pictures of the progression of growth in corn and soybeans and writing about the differences based on different starter and foliars that were applied.

Karli Lump, photo 1

Karli, far left, and coworkers.

Looking back on the months spent with Trupointe, I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to work with such great people and learn the things that I did. I learned so much about the ag marketing industry and how important our job is as ag communicators to make sure we are sending the right message. It is our responsibility to gain knowledge in agriculture and share it with others in a manner that not only makes sense, but that will also spark interest. Working with Trupointe has given me the experience and knowledge to better communicate with men and women about agriculture and I am thankful for the opportunity I had with them.

Thank you Karli for sharing your internship experience with us!

Fun at the MAiZE

By: Konner Kelly
Hilliard, Ohio
Art Management
Senior

As an arts management major at OSU, most of my classes have required me to go to art-related events at various galleries and museums around Columbus.  But for an agricultural communication class I’m currently taking, I was required to go to a different type of venue; an agri-tourism site.  At the start of this assignment for AGRCOMM 2367, I didn’t even know what agri-tourism was, or that I already had some previous experience with the agri-tourism industry by shopping at local farmers’ markets in Hilliard or going on hay-rides with friends.  So at the start of this agri-tourism assignment, I had no idea where I should go or what I should do.  Luckily, a friend suggested that I check out The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek, and I’m extremely thankful that they did.

The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek is a farm that is located in the beautiful, rural area of Milford Center (which is a few miles west of Plain City).  The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek has a lot to offer, like hay-rides, berry-picking, a petting zoo, and even laser tag (which I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to play).  Their attraction that I was most excited about, though, was their 9-acre corn maze.

The corn maze, which has been designed to resemble OSU’s Archie Griffin for this season, was a ton of fun to explore!  While the thought of wandering through a complex corn maze might sound daunting to the non-adventurous, the staff at the farm helps to mitigate this by putting up “Passport Stops” throughout the maze.  Each Passport Stop corresponds with a slip of paper you pick out before entering the maze that essentially tests your knowledge in the area of trivia that you choose by asking a question, and if you answer the question correctly, the slip of paper will point you in the right direction.  This made navigating the maze a lot easier than I thought it’d be, but if you don’t answer a question correctly at a Passport Stop, you might end up walking around in circles.  Even with these Passport Stops to help me out, I still ended up getting lost for about thirty minutes or so, but it was still a great time.

Konner Corn Maze (1) (2)

If you think that this sounds like fun, you should check out The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek’s website, www.mazeandberries.com.  The farm has a ton to offer to city-dwellers such as myself, so if you’re bored on a weekend and want something fun to do, you should give it a shot.  And since registration for classes is coming up, any OSU students who aren’t sure about which classes they should take for next semester should check out what is being offered by the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, ; my experiences have been nothing but good so far.

Konner wrote this blog post as part of an in class assignment for the agricultural communication 2367 class. All opinions are his own.