Chapel in the Woods

No trip with agricultural journalists is complete without an impromptu photo shoot! On our way back to Missouri my fellow ACT members and I stopped at the Chapel in the Woods.  Thorncrown Chapel has been called an "architectural marvel" by many visitors and  is one of the most breathtaking sights I have seen. Thorncrown is a glass chapel nestled in the Ozarks of Arkansas and I first visited it when I was in elementary school on a family vacation. 

While I was young, I remember being in awe of the beautiful building that let in brilliant sunlight and seemed to be one with nature. The glass walls are surrounded by the green forrest and make you feel as though you can reach out and touch the endless leaves. Now that I am older, I appreciate the message behind the chapel construction.  Thorncrown was Jim Reed's creation as a welcoming place for Ozark visitors and to honor his wife. If you are in Arkansas be sure to stop by the Chapel in the Woods because it is a sight you will not soon forget. And be sure to pack your camera! 

 

Arkansas Professional Development Conference

As a national officer in the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, I got to attend the annual ACT Professional Development Conference. Each year, ACT chapters take turns hosting the event at their university campus. The 2013 PDC was held at the University of Arkansas where six Mizzou ACT members made the 6 hour road trip to Fayetteville. We experienced the charm of the Ozarks and had an overall great weekend! 

During PDC I had several duties as an officer including conducting the national meeting and announcing the 2013 Critique & Contest, a writing competition for ACT members. As a part of the conference program, I toured the first Wal-Mart store and museum. In addition, I took a tour of  the "U of A" Law School. The school is nationally recognized as having the premiere agricultural law, LL.M. program. All of the tours made me feel extremely welcomed in Razorback territory! 

This year's workshops featured subjects from wildlife photography to crises communications. A personal highlight was to visit with the photographer for Arkansas Farm Bureau. National conferences are a wonderful opportunity to visit a new part of the country, see friends that live across the country and to gain career insight through speakers and workshops. I enjoy making new friends and PDC was no exception. I look forward to seeing everyone at future ACT events, especially the Ag Media Summit in New York this summer and the 2014 PDC at Kansas State! 

Mizzou ACT delegates Courtney Leeper, Kari Weist and I enjoy ice cream at the original Wal-Mart 5 and dime. 

Courtney Leeper and I at the historic main street square in Bentonville, Arkansas. 

Before a tour of the Wal-Mart museum. 

Courtney Leeper, Kari Weist and I spend an afternoon at the Crystal Bridges art museum which was founded by Wal-Mart heiress Alice Walton. 

The ACT National Vice Presidents tour the University of Arkansas! Jennifer Ray, representing Cal Poly, and I stand on the alumni walkway. 

I toured the U of A Law School which is nationally recognized as the premiere agricultural law institute. Go Razorbacks! 

Adventure to Africa

I was once told that the best opportunities in life are the ones that are unplanned and after exciting events from the past week, I could not agree more. ICM elected to sponsor me as the 2013 international agriculture development intern to Mozambique, Africa. ICM is a biofuels technology company dedicated to providing clean energy opportunities to customers globally. They are a leading job source of Northwest Missouri with a location near my hometown in St. Joseph, Mo. ICM provides process technology to 102 facilities and has a production capacity of nearly 6.8 billion gallons of annual ethanol production! My endeavor is made possible through the efforts of ICM employees whose Christmas donations fund this experience.

ICM partners with Orphans Unlimited to aid philanthropic efforts abroad as ICM executives recognize the importance of giving back. My intern responsibilities include assisting widows and orphans at Orphans Unlimited. I am responsible for everything from managing buying practices to leading children's Bible studies. This is an opportunity to utilize the knowledge I have gained in my agricultural economics and development classes first-hand.

Thomas Edison stated, “ Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” I recognize that my summer experience at Orphans Unlimited will be filled with many long hours and will be a summer of dedication. The organization's founder, Brenda Lange, has said that missions are actually spelled "W-O-R-K." My rural roots and farming background instilled the importance of a diligent work ethic at a young age. Thus, I am anxious to begin my work in Africa and offer assistance to Orphans Unlimited endeavors.

My summer adventure begins May 13 and I return to the U.S. July 30. This experience has shown overwhelming support from both my family and friends but also the University of Missouri. My professors have been both encouraging and accommodating of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. In Africa, I am most excited to work with the children, aid local women with their goat herds and will of course be looking for photographic opportunities.

I have friends who have traveled to the African countries of Tanzania, Rwanda and Ghana. I asked their advice after learning I was accepted to the internship position. All expressed that they had life changing experiences abroad and believe I will "fall in love" with Africa. I am excited for my summer experience in Mozambique and consider myself blessed to be offered this opportunity. Thank you ICM and Orphans Unlimited for selecting me as the 2013 international agriculture development intern. In 10 weeks I will be on a plane bound for Mozambique, Africa!

I will spend my summer in Mozimbique, Africa assisting in international agriculture development efforts through ICM and Orphans Unlimited.

Mozambique is located on the coast of South Africa and is nearly double the size of California. The country was once a Portuguese colony and is currently home to around 21 million people.