Mizzou Must Do's

The University of Missouri is filled with traditions, from painting the M to the tiger walk. Before you graduate, there is an unofficial list of things you must do. So far, I have completed four of those "must dos."

1. Swim in Brady Fountain

2 Sing the Mizzou Fight Song in Speaker's Circle 

3. Ride the bronze tiger. 

4. Rub David Francis's nose for good luck before an exam. 

I have yet to climb to the top of Jesse Hall, kiss Faurot Field's 50 yard line, stand on the Engineering School shamrock or find the hidden MU steam tunnels. However, I believe there will be plenty of opportunities to complete Mizzou traditions! 

Sophomore Year

The typical undergrad will spend four years at college. True, I have some friends who have received degrees in as little as three years. Others can take up to five. But, for most students they have four years of self-discover and learning, both in and outside of the classroom. 

Four years is 1,460 days, 35,063 hours and countless moments for opportunites. That's what college is: an opportunity. 

This year, my goal is to continue to take advantages of opportunities at Mizzou. I want to make the most of my college career. It seems like our greatest hope is always that the impending year will be better than the last. But, I just want to continue "everything." Continue to make lifelong friends, memories, accomplishments and of course, good grades. 

So, one year down, three to go. Cheers for the future and a sophomore year filled with opportunities!

One day, I am going to be a proud alumni. For now, I am content with my undergraduate days. 

Back to Mizzou!

After summer of internships, a trip to Asia and national leadership positions, I was ready to return to the University of Missouri. I had some amazing adventures this summer. But I missed "Como", late nights with my best friends, hanging out in the agriculture journalism lab, Starbucks dates, football tailgates and even study sessions. 

When I stepped onto campus, I felt like I was home. 

 

I visited the University Bookstore several times during the first week of classes to get supplies, textbooks and to visit Tiger Tech. Thank goodness for our team computer specialists, they helped me install all of my computer programs for the year.  

One of my favorite streets on campus. It runs beside the alumni center and the Tiger Fountain.

The infamous bronze Tiger Statue. In typical Mizzou tradition, many students have ridden the tiger, including yours truly.

The beautiful sight of Jesse Hall. 

"Let the colomnus stand, let the stand for a thousand years." This statement was proclaimed by a member of the Board of Curators who saved our campus's historical columns years ago.

One University, One Mizzou. 

In a few years I will be completing the traditional Tiger Prowl through the Columns and away from Jesse hall. For now, I'm content to live in the moment and enjoy my days as a tiger. 

The Columns are located near the Journalism School so I get to walk by them daily. They remind me of how privileged I am to attend college and how proud I am of my university.


~Go tigers!

Layovers

When I ask people why they dislike travel, I usually receive responses such as:

"It's inconvenient."

"Security is a pain."

"My flight never arrives on time."

Well, I happen to think traveling is exciting, invigorating, inspirational and an adventure! But I have also had relatively smooth travels. I have never had a problem with the TSA, missed a flight and or lost my luggage.  

However, I always seem to get incredibly long layovers. When I arrived in North Carolina I was at the Greensboro Airport for three hours for a 30 minute flight to Charlotte. Basically, I had to wait the duration of my flight from Missouri to North Carolina for a short flight within North Carolina. 

But, have no fear! There's always emails to catch up on, phone calls to make, post cards to write and to-do lists to compose while you are waiting in an airport. Do not let unexpected down time get in the way of your travel joys! You can always start up a conversation with a stranger, you never know who you could meet. 

I can now say I have read my book during a layover in a rocking chair! More reasons to love the south.  

Ambassador Bonding

The week I spent at National Collegiate Agriculture Ambassador training flew by! I felt like I was constantly learning new concepts and innovative speaking methods. I feel as though I learned more about current agriculture trends. 

I was also surrounded by an amazing group of my peers. They have such vibrant personalities and we have a lot in common, from our majors to the livestock we show. Each of us cares about agriculture and are anxious to find our places in the industry. 

I am excited to take what I learned at training and apply it to my presentations this year. I hope I can truly enhance people's agriculture knowledge and maybe even change preconceived ideas about agriculture. Experiences like this make me realize how much I enjoy the agriculture industry and believe in the mission of the National FFA Association. Another highlight of training was bonding with staff members from FFA. They were a great support system and will only be a phone call away in the impending year. 

Training concluded with a social night of ambassador bonding and a local baseball game. The next morning we all boarded  planes to fly back to our homes. We will be embarking on another year of college and our year as National Collegiate Agriculture Ambassadors. I look forward to seeing all 20 Ambassadors at winter training in Florida! 

Off to the ballpark! 

One of the best experiences about ambassador training was being able to meet such amazing college students. We came from across the country but came together as a great group! 

Saying goodbyes at the end of training was very difficult! 

I cannot wait to see this group again in Florida for winter Ambassador training! 

Agriculture of the South

North Carolina is state with a rich agriculture heritage. While visiting sponsor research farms such as Syngenta and BASF, I got to see the production process of several top cash crops in the state. I found peanut production to be the most interesting!

Tobacco is the number one cash crop in North Carolina. It has been planted in North Carolina since the days of the first settlers. 

Cotton is also king in the south. After it has been picked it is bailed, which reminded me of our hayfields in Missouri. 

I love peanut butter, so I appreciated the chance to see a peanut field up close! The peanuts are in the shells at the root of the plant. 

Welcome to North Carolina

When I first learned summer Ambassador training would be held in North Carolina by heart fluttered. Not only because I would be visiting a new state (which is always an exciting moment!) but because North Carolina is the home of Nicholas Sparks. I am an avid reader and he is one of my favorite authors.

In preparation for my adventure in North Carolina, I purchased Sparks's latest novel, The Best of Me. I was reading it as my plane departed Kansas City and was still engrossed in it when I landed in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina. During my layover I learned the proper pronunciation of local cities (my Midwestern accent varied from the Southern drawl I encountered there!) It was great to visit the setting of several of Sparks's novels. 

Last spring, I went to South Carolina on a road trip with my friends. I am still very much in love with the Carolinas, and yes, Nicholas Sparks as well. But, it was great to visit North Carolina on an agriculture experience. I always find it fascinating to explore different state's agriculture sectors.  Missouri is a row crop and livestock dominated state.  I always catch myself looking for corn fields and cattle pastures when I am in a new place. North Carolina was home to cotton fields, tobacco crops, peanut plants and peach orchards. 

Peaches are one  of my favorite fruits. My favorite way to eat them is straight off the tree! As Ambassadors, we were able to tour the facilities of our sponsor companies. BASF staff took us out for a tour of their peach orchards. One of the highlights of my trip was being able to pick peaches with my Ambassador team! Only seeing Nicholas Sparks could have completed the trip. 

Proudly wearing our BASF hats!

Being an Ag Ambassador has allowed me to meet a great friend, Kylah!

Our team had the opportunity to tour the BASF peach orchard. 

Picking peaches with some great galls! 

Fresh peaches- yum! 

Melissa and I discovered our love for fruit, and we are both midwest natives! She attends the University of Nebraska. 

Collegiate Ag Ambassador Training

This year I am fortunate to be one of 20 individuals who are a part of the National Collegiate Agriculture Ambassador team. This program is through the National FFA Organization and is made up of  college students from across the nation. Our mission is to spread agriculture knowledge through presentations we conduct throughout the year. We speak to a broad range of audiences including civic organizations, high schoolers, elementary students and community clubs. 

In the coming year I will facilitate 30 hours of workshops and presentations. My personal goal is to impact elementary and high school organizations. I believe it is vital to teach younger generations about the agriculture sector. I will present on topics regarding the dairy industry, pollination, GMOs, world food production, agriculture advocacy and industry trends. I feel as though my position as an Ambassador will allow me to give back to the industry and truly make a difference.

I have experience in public speaking and presentations but at Ambassador training I learned how to refine my skills to become an more effective facilitator. At training our team had the opportunity to get to know one another. Ambassadors originated from Oregon to Delaware. I was the lone Show Me State representative. Another great aspect about training was getting to bond with my team. Most of us were former 4-H and FFA members and we were agriculture majors. We had a lot in common and felt like a family by the end of the week. 

My fellow Ambassadors and I were very enthusiastic about our new Ipads! Thank you to FFA for our amazing technology! 

National ACT Vice President

When I was in high school I remember getting frustrated at myself when I fell short of a goal. Goals were- and still are- important to me. When I form a goal I am determined to make it a reality. That's the difference between dreams and goals. Dreams are the little thoughts we hold secretly on the inside while goals are meant to be promoted and shared with the world. At AMS, I was proud to see one of my collegiate goals come to life.

I was elected by my fellow ACT members to serve the National Officer team as First Vice President. I, along with four officers, will represent our membership in the coming year. As First Vice President, my duties include planning the annual Critique and Contest, a competition for members to submit their agriculture journalism projects. There are categories for anything from photography to multimedia projects. I will also help coordinate future ACT events such as this year's PDC in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and AMS in Buffalo, New York. I look forward to working with my officer team and meeting more outstanding ACT members! 

In the end, my parents were right; hard work pays off. It has taken a few years, some set backs and moments of triumph, but I think I am finally starting to believe them. Life is full of opportunities. If I have learned anything along my journey in life so far it is to not fear risks. If you truly want something, go after it 100 percent. Never let anything keep you from reaching the prize. 

The 2012-2013 National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow officer team.

University of Missouri Ag Media Summit delegates. I had a wonderful time with Kari and Courtney!

I met Jennifer Ray at the ACT Professional Development Conference last winter in Texas. It was great to see her again and I am so excited to serve on the officer team with her!

AMS Evening Out

Agriculture journalism and celebrations are two of my favorite things in life! Luckily, at AMS the annual (and famous) welcome party offers a chance to network with current and future agriculture communicators. It was great to spend an evening out in Albuquerque. I met many new faces who I am sure I will run into at future events.

Courtney and I got to eat more southwest food and hear stories of past Mizzou agriculture journalism grads. The evening was a success and filled with merry-making. There was also a photo booth, another thing I cannot resist. 

Courtney and I take a break from our internship duties to attend the AMS welcome party! 

MU alumni and current students had the opportunity to meet! I enjoyed hearing stories of former Ag Journalism students. 

Post cards, maracas and photo booth strips from a great conference! 

Adventures in Albuquerque

Albuquerque or "ABQ" as many of my fellow tourists say, (the whole name is a mouthful!) is a city fully of vibrant colors, historical sights and rich culture. I had the opportunity to explore the sights and scenes of ABQ before my conference internship began. I always like to book an early flight for my first visit to a new city. This allows me to explore the city a bit and engage in full out tourist mode (minus the fanny pack... I have to draw a line somewhere!) Although when I am going through security at 6am I usually second guess my decision of a red eye flight.

Welcome to the Old Town district, filled with gift shops of authentic Native American artwork.

The buildings all have a great "wild-west" vibe!

 Shop keepers display their wares on storefronts and alongside the cobblestone walkways. 

I always seem to capture a picture of this flower. I have seen it in Florida, California and South Carolina. I even drew a picture of it for my high school art class (which is now framed in my bedroom.) But what is it...?

I felt like this was a scene straight out of a western movie!

I have a slight obsession with pretty flowers!

I love these colors!

New Mexico state pride!

               Amazing steeples at a local church.

Always throw a penny in a fountain for good luck!

                                                                                               Chili peppers anyone? 

Vines grew alongside many of the buildings.

Hearts can often be found in unexpected places. 

A Native American performance.

A former basket shop has been renovated and now sells souvenirs!

Colorful downtown. 

Turquoise, Indian pottery, hand woven blankets and flowers were on nearly every street corner. The southwestern atmosphere was certainly charming!

Ag Media Summit

Courtney and I at the KCI Airport ready to fly to Denver then Albuquerque. This was courtney's second time flying, so I had fun showing her the ropes! 

It’s amazing how a thing as simple as a phone call can present new opportunities. A few weeks ago, my friend Courtney, a fellow MU Science and Agricultural Journalism student, called me up and offered me the chance to go to New Mexico. Needless to say, I was so excited I almost dropped my phone!

Courtney would be traveling to then national Ag Media Summit in New Mexico, as part of her summer internship with Cummins Consulting. Cummins Consulting LLC is operated by another MU Ag J alumni and often hires students to assist with organizing the American Agricultural Educators Awards ceremony and complete other organizational aspects of AMS.

At the AMS Welcome booth!

The other intern was unable to attend, therefore Courtney recommended me as a substitute. After a few emails to her employer and my academic adviser, I found myself booking a plane ticket to the southwest! Thankfully my internship allowed me to take few days off and my bags were soon packed for Ag Media Summit in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

I had heard of AMS before Courtney’s phone call during the school year at a Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow meeting. Several of the club officers had attended before and greatly enjoyed the experience. Our university has even had several past national ACT officers, who are elected at AMS.

I had really wanted to go to this year’s AMS, especially since it was in a state I had never been too. But, I did not know if I could justify the price of a plane ticket, registration and hotel fees when I had an internship commitment.

However, fate turned the tides and I was able to attend AMS through an internship with Cummins Consulting. I am so glad I have such great friends and advisors in my life who think about me when opportunities arise. And it’s a good thing I never ignore a phone call!

These Missouri galls are in New Mexico... hello to the Southwest!