Written By Adrianna Meyer

During spring of my second-grade year, my mom enrolled my brother and me in 4-H as Cloverbud members, with hopes that we would stay in the organization and develop lifelong skills that would benefit us throughout the years. Remaining as a member in 4-H was an easy choice for me as I knew it involved agriculture and I have been around some aspect of that industry since the day I was born. When I was young, my dad grew crops and raised cattle, and my mom raised goats.  

When I started out in 4-H as a project-taking member, I only took Boer goat projects for three years. With some encouragement from my mom, I began taking “still projects,” which are projects that do not require an animal. My first still project was about the genealogy of my family.  

I continued to add on these projects every year since 2016 and it led me to gain the courage to join clubs and councils that had a large focus on leadership. 4-H has led me to multiple national trips, including Atlanta, GA and Washington, D.C., as well as multiple honors, such as being inducted into the 2023 Ohio 4-H Teen Hall of Fame and serving as president of the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council. 

When I realized that I wanted to be involved in 4-H as my future career, it was a natural choice for me to major in community leadership at Ohio State ATI, with a specialization in Extension education. Knowing that I am a role model and resource for so many individuals that I have impacted throughout my years of involvement solidified my major choice for me. 4-H has allowed me to find great joy when interacting and educating others on topics within agriculture and STEM. My lifelong career goal is to be involved in an agricultural organization or Extension where I am educating, advocating, and cultivating the next generation of leaders that will take our spots one day.  

Written By Lexi Troyer

Molly McGuire, an upcoming sophomore at Ohio State ATI, is spending her summer interning at Brookside Laboratories in New Bremen, Ohio, to learn more about what her agronomy major entails. Molly chose this internship to gain experience with the laboratory side of agronomy. She says, “Last summer I interned with an agronomist doing a lot of soil sampling. I wanted to gain experience and see the different perspective of what happens after the soil sample is taken.”

A typical day for Molly starts with arriving at Brookside Laboratories around 7a.m. She then finds the lab manager to get her tasks for the day. Molly notes, “I work a lot in production, which means grinding and organizing soil samples. I also work in our filter room, cleaning the many filters that soil samples go through. I also will unpack lawn samples.” Molly recognizes one of the most interesting things she has learned thus far in her internship is how a sample is processed. She states, “It’s interesting to take a giant bag of soil and then only need about a quarter size of the sample for filtering and processing.”

When asked how this internship experience has shaped her perspective on the industry she is interested in, Molly shares, “This internship has really made me realize how big the network is surrounding Brookside Laboratories.” Molly then talks about certain consultants she has known since a young age, getting samples at Brookside Labs from overseas, and remarking that so many people know about Brookside Labs—that it is more than just a lab in New Bremen, Ohio.

Looking ahead, Molly is eager to get through the busy season of May—June with her team. She says, “Everyone is sending in their spring soil samples during this time. I look forward to watching how my managers handle this busy season and learning from them.”

Written By Becca Staley

For a lot of students, the transition from high school life to college can be a bit challenging and overwhelming. It can be even more overwhelming to find a job that fits a college student’s busy and hectic schedule. However, it’s all about finding balance and making things work. For me personally, I have an on-campus student job and an off-campus job as well, and I’m going to tell you how I make things work, even though having two jobs gives me less time to do other important things that come with college. 

I work as a student ambassador in the admissions office at Ohio State ATI. My hours are catered around my class schedule, and my supervisors always understand other obligations that may arise in connection with classes or other on-campus events. As a student ambassador, I get to do many things that other students don’t have the ability to do. I get to interact with prospective students and their families, have a behind-the-scenes look at the admissions process, help make content for social media pages, and plan for large groups of highschoolers to visit our campus.  

In terms of my off-campus job, I work at a local small business called Wooster Nutrition. I work a couple days a week when I have a large enough break in my class schedule to work a worthwhile shift. With great communication, my bosses are extremely understanding that I’m a full-time college student, and that my schooling comes first. When business is slow, I can catch up or get ahead on some of my college assignments.  

Overall, having two jobs on top of a full class schedule can become too much at times, but for the most part, it has been nothing but rewarding. I have the chance to stay busy all the time, while also having financial stability. I use my short breaks in my schedule to stay caught up on assignments and studying, so I can use my evenings to relax and hang out with my friends. At the end of the day, college can be a huge adjustment, but always remember why you took the leap to do it and just have fun! 

Written By Lexi Troyer

Mallory Kramer, a dedicated upcoming second-year Ohio State ATI student from Pemberville, Ohio, is currently taking part in a summer internship experience as she pursues her major in agriscience education. The chance to intern at the Sandusky County 4-H Extension Office came to Mallory’s attention through a network of fellow students at Ohio State ATI. Inspired by the experiences and recommendations of her peers, Mallory pursued this opportunity.

Mallory’s daily routine at her internship can revolve around office work or field visits, depending on the day. During her hours spent in the office, she will find herself completing a variety of online tasks, such as preparing for 4-H Camp or project judging. If Mallory is not in the office, she may be visiting elementary schools in Sandusky County. Mallory says, “So far this year we have visited two local elementary schools. While visiting the schools, we teach students about coding through the use of robots that were gifted to us through a grant.”

Looking ahead, Mallory shares that she is looking forward to managing the Sandusky County Summer Showcase. She describes the showcase as “an event that takes place after project judging, where individuals are awarded with trophies based on their placement at judging.” Mallory is enjoying her internship thus far and is eager to see what the future may hold. Reflecting on internships in general, she states, “Internships are important because they help students gain an idea of what they may want to do in their future. They also open the door for possibility and opportunity.”

Written By Lexi Troyer

I recently completed my first year of college at Ohio State ATI and am now preparing to begin my second year in August, majoring in Animal Biosciences. Reflecting on where I was a year ago, I was getting ready for orientation, purchasing items for my apartment, and meeting my roommates. It was an incredibly exciting time, yet also quite overwhelming and chaotic. Currently working in the Ohio State ATI Admissions Office this summer, I speak with incoming students who are experiencing the same feelings I had. While I cannot eliminate their stress, I can share insight about orientation and what to expect for those attending this summer.

Orientation helps new students transition smoothly into college life in several ways.

1. Orientation will serve as an introduction to campus, whether you have been here before or are visiting for the first time at orientation. You can tour the campus and see important locations like the Wooster Science Building, campus farms, classrooms, inside our apartments, the library, and Café Carmen.
2. At orientation, you will learn more about the registration process to schedule your classes.
3. You will also be introduced to various campus resources, including academic advising, counseling services, disability services, financial aid, IT for technical support, Program Excel, the bookstore, and our student life activities on campus. These areas of support will ensure that you know where to seek help when needed.
4. Attending orientation will also benefit your social integration. You’ll have the chance to meet your peers, make new friends, and build a sense of community. Additionally, there will be panels featuring current sophomores who will answer questions from incoming freshmen. Fun fact, I met two of my three roommates for the first time at orientation.
5. Lastly before you leave orientation, be sure to get your BuckID, which serves as your official identification card for various campus services, facilities, and activities. Remember that you must bring a government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport, driver’s license, state ID, etc.) to obtain your Buck ID at orientation.

Overall, orientation offers an enjoyable experience that serves as the starting point for acquainting yourself with fellow students, faculty, and staff, as well as the diverse array of programs available at Ohio State ATI. It’s a time filled with excitement and discovery, where you’ll begin to make connections and explore the opportunities that await you during your college journey.

Written By Lexi Troyer

Caleb Bennett and Gracie Sprague, Ohio State ATI sophomores majoring in Agriscience Education, along with Layna Gordon, an incoming freshman in the same program at ATI, exemplify what it is like to be a leader and scholar. All three have been elected to serve on the 2024-2025 Ohio FFA State Officer Team, expressing their excitement for the year ahead and gratitude towards those who have mentored them to this prestigious honor.

Caleb Bennett was recently elected to serve as the 2024-2025 Ohio FFA State Sentinel. Caleb shares that “the sentinel is stationed by the door, meaning I am to be one of the first faces to welcome members and guests at meetings and events.” Caleb got started in FFA through his middle school FFA chapter, where he gained an interest in going to competitions and competing. His dad also guided him to find interest in FFA, as he is a current FFA advisor and agriculture educator. When it came to running for state office, Caleb was encouraged to apply by one of his best friends from high school, who had also previously served as a State Officer.

Reflecting on his high school FFA experience, Caleb explained that he spent his sophomore year of high school serving as a non-constitutional officer. This means he was there to step in if any of the other officers were absent or needed additional help with a task. His junior year was spent serving as Treasurer and receiving his gold pin for completing a state-rated gold treasurer’s book. His high school officer experience did not end there, though, as he spent his senior year serving as his chapter’s President.

Anticipating the year ahead, Caleb is looking forward to spending another year at Ohio FFA Camp, this year as a State Officer. He is also eager to attend the 2024 State Officer Summit which is held in Washington D.C. When asked about his goals as a State Officer, Caleb said, “I want to learn how agriculture is practiced in different parts of the state and even across the nation.” After college, Caleb has plans to become an agriculture educator in a high school classroom or become a county Extension agent.

Gracie Sprague was elected at the 96^th Ohio FFA Convention to serve as one of five 2024-2025 State Vice Presidents at Large. She shares that her task alongside other officers is “to promote Ohio FFA and encourage members from across the state to become involved with FFA.” As a proud third generation FFA member, Gracie’s own involvement with the FFA program began her freshman year of high school when she enrolled in an introductory course called “Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.” This class, along with her 4-H involvement, led her to further her interest in FFA and agriculture. In high school, Gracie served her chapter as the President throughout her junior and senior years, giving her insight into being a successful officer.

When asked about applying for state office, Gracie shared she was not only inspired by her family and Ohio State alumni who were also FFA involved, but past Ohio FFA State Officers from as far back as 30 years ago as well. Enthusiastic about the year ahead, Gracie is most looking forward to attending Ohio FFA Camp as a state officer. She explained, “It will be a change from attending camp for five days as a member to attending camp for two months as a state officer.” She acknowledged some of the highlights of camp being outdoor fun, guest speakers, and leadership sessions. Gracie also expressed interest in applying for the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers, which takes place this year in Spain and Portugal.

With approximately 30,000 students involved with the Ohio FFA Association, Gracie has set a goal for herself to connect with as many members as possible throughout her year of service. She emphatically states, “I want to let members know that I believe in their potential as a member of the Ohio FFA program.” After college, Gracie looks to become an agriculture educator and/or FFA advisor at the high school level.

Layna Gordon was elected at the 2024 Ohio FFA State Convention to serve as the State Treasurer for the 2024-2025 term. She notes that her task with this position is much like the responsibilities that other officers on the team have: “We all work to support members and advance the Ohio FFA Program.” Following in the footsteps of her mom, grandpa, and great grandpa, Layna began her involvement with the FFA program during her freshman year of high school. She said that at first, she questioned if FFA was for her, although when she began entering public speaking contests, she quickly noticed an improvement in her communication skills. From then on, she realized the positive impact that FFA can have on someone’s life.

While in high school, Layna served as her chapter’s Secretary during her sophomore year and as President during her junior and senior years, further enhancing her experience in FFA. When it came time to apply for state office, Layna found inspiration from past State Officers. She remarked, “I looked up to previous State Officers, most often at FFA Camp. They were always excited no matter how tired they were and were also very supportive to younger members.”

One of Layna’s primary goals for the upcoming year is to meet as many people as possible and support them through any mental or physical challenges they may face. She is excited about upcoming events like FFA Camp, banquets, leadership nights, and chapter visits across the state to learn how inner-city chapters differ from rural ones. After college, Layna aspires to become an agriculture educator but is open to new opportunities that may come her way.

All elected Ohio FFA State Officers complete a rigorous application process where 50 applicants compete for state-level positions. The application process includes a written application, a video presentation of “Why I Desire to Serve as an Ohio FFA Officer,” a writing exercise, and two interviews. If slated for state office, candidates then give their “Why I Desire” presentation live to the delegates during the voting process.

Written By Kelsie Mannasmith

Last summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Scotland and England with Ohio State. This was a trip that was tailored specifically to my agricultural communication major. We experienced farms in the United Kingdom, met with agricultural publication companies, and went sightseeing across the countries.

Agricultural Experiences in Other Countries

Ve-Tech Holsteins

Our first agricultural stop was Ve-Tech Holsteins in Mauchline, Scotland. For the most part, the basics of the farm seemed similar to the United States. These were aspects such as the feed pusher, silage, and barn area.

The farmers mentioned that the UK does not produce much hay; therefore, they do not use it as feed. After they said this, it made sense, but I hadn’t thought of it before. Since the UK gets so much rain, it is hard to make hay a primary food source for the animals. So, silage is used much more often than we see in the United States.

Scotland’s Rural College

The second destination was Scotland’s Rural College. Here, we saw their mobile CT livestock scanning facility. They primarily test sheep with this machine. The animals are led through a chute, then elevated to the mobile trailer for scanning. They use the information to improve genetics in a herd, including the measurements of internal tissues and structures.

We also saw the college’s beef facility. The tour guides explained how the feed bins worked to track the health and diet of the cattle. Basically, the bin wouldn’t allow feeding until the animal’s ear tag was scanned by the bin. Then, the restrictive bar would lower, revealing the feed to the animal. I had never seen this before, so I thought it was super cool! I thought it was very conducive to research to have this technology to track how much an animal eats, helping in maintaining growth rates of the herd.

Each of these facilities also featured methane testing areas. The UK focuses heavily on researching adverse effects of farming on the environment, and this is one advancement that will hopefully help them do that in the future. It is not widely used yet, but they are hoping to make the technology better. In summary of the technology, they test different diets on cattle to see which produces the least amount of methane. They aim to adjust diets according to the data that they find.

As a whole, the farms we visited didn’t seem to have much concern for biosecurity, which I am not used to. This is possibly due to their tourist traffic, so it is their way of balancing education and profit for the health of their animals.

After our visit to the college, we had lunch with some students. These students were “pen pals” with the University of Arkansas students that we were traveling with. During lunch, we also had the editor of The Scottish Farmer, Ken Fletcher, speak to us about agriculture in the media. One of the Arkansas students asked what he would title an article if it were the only article he wrote. Ken responded with, “Eat Good Food.”

Netherton Angus

Our next stop was to Netherton Angus Farm in Auchterarder, Scotland. I thought it was interesting that they raised their heifers to have masculine features. This farm produces Scotland’s highest quality marbled meat. I saw the best views in Scotland at Netherton Farm.

Fife Show

The Fife show was essentially a county fair experience. This was interesting because they had all the animals in pens outside—no barns. The show arenas were in the grass, and horses were the largest exhibit.

Farmers Guardian – Agriconnect

We visited Farmers Guardian, an agricultural publication company in England. We talked about their strategies for bridging the gap between agriculture and consumers. I thought it was interesting to hear that this is a widespread topic, not just in the US. We shared FFA with them and how we became interested in agriculture. Many of their employees didn’t come from an agricultural background but had a passion for improving the industry. This was not a big surprise to me because the UK is so focused on the environment and many people are committed to agriculture in that way.

US Embassy

In London, we had the opportunity to visit the US Embassy. We met with Kathy Yao, the Agricultural Attaché for the UK and Ireland. She told us about her experiences before the position she holds now. I thought it was a great way to learn about other opportunities in agriculture. I had never thought of an internship abroad before this.

Cultural Differences

This was my second trip to the UK, so I wasn’t shocked by the culture. Last summer, however, I was very surprised with the slight differences that I noticed.

• Environmentally conscious: I noticed many signs and labels that mentioned this concept.
• Meal sizes: Lunch is the most important meal of the day in the UK. Even still, it is still not the portions that we are used to in the US. I can remember a lot of the people in my tour group last summer that complained that it wasn’t enough food. This is a stereotype that I saw with my own eyes!
• Business hours: Most places close around 6 p.m., which I wasn’t prepared for. Really, if you want to go somewhere, the only places that are open are pubs, as the drinking culture is very different from the US.

Unexpected Differences

I thought that the food would be a lot different than in the US. However, much of their diet contains the same as ours, with less taste. Much of the food was bland, which definitely wasn’t what I expected. However, they did have different kinds of dishes that aligned with their cultural history. I tried many of these dishes for the experience and learned that I prefer food from home.

Impact on My View of Agriculture and Other Countries

My experience with agriculture in the UK helped me to understand the importance of advocating for the industry. When I first visited last summer, I was preparing for my first year of college, and I was able to fully grasp the importance of agriculture as I saw it in different countries. During my trip this year, the experience reinforced my decision to receive an education in agricultural communication, where I can actively exercise advocating for agriculture. These trips also gave me an appreciation for the variation of life that exists in other countries. Without these experiences, I wouldn’t know how others have adapted to fit into their environments throughout history.

For recent high school graduates, going off to college can be the most exciting but also stressful time of their life. For a good portion of our students who are first generation, this leaves both the student and family wondering about what their college path entails. First generation students and their families often find themselves having to learn everything about school that their peers already know. Many families aren’t aware of the stress or process of living on campus, scheduling classes, nor the resources available to our students. Fortunately for students at Ohio State ATI, we offer a number of resources to everyone, with exceptional programs designed specifically for those who are first generation. Small class sizes, specialized tutoring, and and entire department dedicated to Student Success Services ensure students get a leg up should they need it.

Skyelar Rock, who spent 3 years studying at Ohio State ATI, shares her experience as a first-time college student.

“Growing up an only child of two parents who did not attend a four year university left a lot of questions in my mind when it came time for college. My dad was a tradesman, my mom went straight into the workforce as well, and I had no siblings to experience the college process before me. When I applied and got accepted to Ohio State ATI, I thought the hardest part was over. Learning how to do college ‘right’ was a tough process, from starting completely online to then figuring out housing and in-person classes when the time came. Thankfully, once I got to campus, Program Excel and the career counselors helped me find my way through it. Denise Rotavera-Krain, one of the career success counselors, worked closely with me to develop a detailed resume and helped me decide what I wanted to do with my career following graduation. I also worked with our campus transition counselor, Cate Hunko, to ensure my path to the Columbus campus was smooth and stress-free.”

Seth Richardson, a second year student studying Agriscience Education, shares his thoughts on Program Excel, which is designed to help first time college students that are also first generation.

“I found out about Program Excel when Kelly Carmack, one of our Program Excel coordinators, emailed me to set up monthly meetings with the program. She made sure that I was getting the resources I needed, and if I needed specific help with classes, I would work with one of the adult mentors in that area. When I started falling behind in my Introduction to Animal Science class, I began working with Leslie Eisberg; Leslie helped me get back on track and keep my grades up for the rest of the semester. I also worked with Denny on a few occasions, who has been extremely helpful in making sure that I am successful. He went so far as to send me review and study materials over the summer, in preparation for my fall math classes.”

Hana Wagner, a third year transfer student studying Animal Sciences, has found a complete a completely different experience here than at her first university. “At my first college, they didn’t offer any specialized programs for first-time college students. I had many advising difficulties, especially since my advisor covered not only my program, but all students in four other departments. With Ohio State ATI, I found out about Program Excel within the first few months after getting accepted, before school even started. I began working with Leslie on the Animal Science side, and she recommended in the future that for the rest of my classes that I work with Denny. We still had follow up meetings, that way she could still check in and ensure I was making progress academically. Leslie also helped outside of coursework with scheduling classes, as a second set of eyes to make sure my degree audit was coming along. We also worked around with time management, making sure I had the right tools to organize classes, home life, and work life. Since I was a commuter student, I found that they were very flexible around my schedule, going so far as to zoom in with me outside office hours to ensure I was getting the help I needed. ” Ohio State ATI knows first generation like no other. Our staff and faculty understand

Hana Wagner: Why I Transferred From Another College to Ohio State ATI

I graduated from Mapleton Local Schools in Ashland, OH, in 2021. After graduation I knew I wanted to explore and see what other places were like in the country. I intended to pursue an out-of-state option, so Ohio State University was not my initial choice for that reason. Instead, I looked at several other 

universities. It was a hard decision to make but I decided to go to Middle Tennessee State University as I could live with family there.  

Sadly, in June 2022, my uncle had been declining in health as he had stage 4 colon cancer, so I made the decision to move back to my hometown to spend some quality time with him. I also knew that staying at home with my parents again would be more affordable than living in Murfreesboro. I had college decisions to make as well…  

I knew Ohio State ATI would offer a more “hands-on” education and the student-to-teacher ratio was smaller, allowing for better connections with professors and classmates in a more laid-back environment. I took advantage of the time I had to weigh my options and submitted my application two days before the deadline. I was a little nervous, but thankfully I was able to get into Ohio State ATI before classes started, with most of my credits transferring.  

In all honesty, returning home was one of the wisest moves I could have taken. I experienced tremendous growth being in Tennessee for just one year; however, my goals and aspirations are more in line with ATI. The teachers, the programs, and the opportunities I have here at ATI are better than I could have imagined.  

I started working in ATI’s Admissions Office as a student ambassador, which has been super fun, and I have met so many new students while developing professional relationships with staff as well. I have also taken a position as a resident advisor in ATI’s apartment village to help cut living costs and to increase my communication, conflict-resolution, and time-management skills.  

The majors at Ohio State ATI are designed to help you excel in your career field by providing students the opportunity to intern anywhere in the world. So, ironically, I am going to be interning next summer at the same vet clinic back in Murfreesboro where I previously worked. The experience hours I will gain from the internship will also help me fulfill a requirement to get into vet school. 

Overall, I will always value my time at Ohio State ATI. I have met so many incredible friends here that I do not know what I would do without. 

Congratulations to our 2023 Ohio State ATI Outstanding Students and Director’s Award Recipient!

Director’s Award Recipient:

Lillian Wagner                                  Agriscience Education

Outstanding Student Award Recipients:

Katherine Beran                               Crop Management and Soil Conservation

Megan Chludzinski                          Biochemical Sciences

Taylor Elaine DeLand                       Greenhouse & Nursery Management

Faith Marie Galavich                        Agriscience Education

Carter Ayden Gilbert                        Agribusiness

Mekenna Spring Hendricks             Floral Design & Marketing

Dora Hesse-Edenfeld                        Agronomy

Emma Homan                                     Agricultural Communication

Emma Mae Leggett                            Animal Sciences

Nicole S. McMaster                            Greenhouse & Nursery Management

Sydney Meyer                                     Animal Sciences

Adam Paul Rischar                             Agribusiness

Katherine Emma Rumschlag            Agribusiness

Lexy Schafer                                        Floral Design & Marketing

Katelynn Smeltzer                               Animal Sciences

Lillian Rose Wagner                            Agriscience Education

Hannah M. Watkins                             Agricultural Communication