From Amish Town to the Big City

AbbeypictureBy: Abbey VanTyne, Agriscience Education & Animal Sciences | Waterville, OH

Hello, I am Abbey VanTyne and I am a transition student from Ohio State’s Wooster Campus, the Agricultural Technical Institute. My experience in being a transitioning student has been, let’s say , very interesting thus far. For those of you that don’t know, ATI is a very rural area where you will definitely see an amish buggy more than once in your visit. I have been in Columbus for about two weeks now and have already had several “city experiences” that would never be experienced in Wooster. For example, while walking to the Kroger on High Street, I actually had to WAIT for a crosswalk signal to go off so that I could cross the street. In Wooster (or any other rural areas for that matter), there aren’t even any buttons to push when you want to cross the street, you just go whenever you want! Another thing that has happened to me since transitioning is receiving a parking ticket. In Wooster, we could drive to the Shreve Swamps and park our cars wherever we wanted! Apparently the city is super strict on where you park your car, whether you saw the designated parking signs or not. Luckily, it was only a $45 ticket and nothing too outrageous! These are the only city run-ins that I have had since moving to Columbus. Overall, the transition really isn’t too difficult. Is Columbus completely different from Wooster? Yes. But is the transition unbearable? Absolutely not. I have met so many new people already and can’t wait to meet even more with the start of the semester. Bring it on, Columbus!

More than just a Summer Camp

SONY DSCBy: Carley Snider, Agriscience Education | Felicity, OH

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.

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.

A Summer in Georgia with AGCO

KellyfagerpictureBy: Kelly Fager, Agricultural Communication, Wauseon, OH

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!

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.

My Summer Spent with Beck’s

Meghan PictureBy: Meghan Bennett, Agricultural Communication | Houston, OH

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.

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.