#AgAmbassador

It is hard to believe that my year as a National Collegiate Agriculture Ambassador is drawing to a close. It's been quite the adventure! Being a part of this program has been one of my favorite collegiate experiences hands down. The people I have met, including Ambassadors and FFA staff, are pretty amazing. I even met one of my best friends, Kylah Reynalds, who hails from Oregon. We may never have crossed paths if not for this program! 

One of my final presentations was during the Missouri State FFA Convention. My workshop reached

more than 150 FFA members. I cannot express how excited I was to speak at Convention- I felt so honored to be asked to present a workshop. (I could hardly sleep the night before and arrived an hour early to my assigned room!) The title of my talk was "#AgIssues" and I discussed current threats, trends and opportunities in agriculture. Through interactive activities students had the chance to relate issues to social media. I stressed the importance of being an AGvocate and how it is important to tell your personal story in agriculture to combat industry threats. Personally, I had a blast and I even created my first Prezi with no technical errors!

My remaining presentation schedule includes a civic group and collegiate club to conclude my 30 Ambassador hours. I am greatly looking forward to presenting "Collegiate FFA Opportunities" to the MU Ag Systems Management club as they are quite the crowd! I enjoy every opportunity to speak to groups regarding agriculture. Being an Ambassador was the highlight of my sophomore year. 

I believe it is essential to bring awareness to our industry and make our way of life relatable. Not everyone will be a farmer in their life but everyone will need a farmer at some point. That's what motivates me; the farmers. People like my Poppie Brammer work hard to provide food for our country. They wake up at the crack of dawn, feed livestock in the bitter cold and harvest crops in the sizzling heat. And they do not complain. (Does the "So God Made a Farmer" commercial ring a bell?)

Yet, sometimes we as citizens forget how much needed producers are and we do not realize the issues facing agriculture. Even if we are involved in the industry or have been raised in a farming household we should strive to be continual learners and be prepared to all serve as an ambassadors. You do not need a fancy title or matching polo to spread agricultural awareness. All you need is a message. 

Setting up for workshop #1!

Students created Twitter hashtags about agriculture industry issues.

Having a "teaching moment" during my #AgIssues Prezi. 

During another activity students worked in groups to brainstorm agriculture related songs. 

My cousin, Jesse Poisal, attended my workshop. It was great to see her! 

A Convention "First"

Blue corduroy jackets descended upon Columbia for the 86th Missouri State FFA Convention. In high school this time of year was the most stressful but also the most exciting. I knew I would see my friends from across the state at the Hearns Center. (In between contests and courtesy corp duties of course!) I qualified to state each year and had the honor of ranking gold in horse judging evaluation, being on stage for public speaking awards and winning two area proficiencies.

Through my years in FFA I have served many roles; contest team member, public speaker, officer, camper, National Convention delegate... you get the picture; I love FFA. The organization has offered me countless opportunities. I credit FFA and my first advisor, Mrs. Rogers, for developing my potential and giving me the foundation for future success.

Now, as a collegian I find myself having a different role at Convention. I worked in the media room creating press releases for Missouri FFA and recruited students to MU clubs at the career fair. And, I was very blessed to be asked to conduct a workshop for National Collegiate Agriculture Ambassadors. The tables had definitely turned as I was used to being the student verses the presenter! (I felt pretty old when I got mistaken for an agricultural advisor and a mom all in the same day.)

There were many highlights to this year's convention. Being a presenter was pretty awesome- I had the chance to share my message with more than 150 FFAers about issues facing the agriuclure industry. But, the people are what make Convention truly memorable. This year I got to see my best friend, Sonja Perry, retire as a Missouri State FFA secretary. Her passion for agriculture and dedication to FFA is simply unmatched. She has inspired me in more ways than I can count and I shed tears as she retired her jacket on stage.

I also got to see my little brother, Dane, as he had qualified for a second year to state. Dane was the high individual on the Gallatin agronomy team and is one of 30 high school sophomores selected to attend the Missouri Agribusiness Academy this summer. It seems like just yesterday I was on the MABA bus in Jefferson City to have the time of my life touring St. Louis agribusinesses.

You just never know who you will run into at Convention. While I was cheering on this year's state officer team, I saw my mentor and former superintendent Mr. Croy. Also, my past advisors Mrs. Rogers and Mr. Henderson were in attendance in addition to numerous advisors and friends I have met through the years. If I could say one thing to a current FFA member it is this; enjoy your time in the blue jacket. The official dress may get a little scratchy, you may get tired of studying for your contest team or you may be in a hurry to grow up but don't. Enjoy the moment.

Megan LaManna and I recruit ACT members at the Career Fair. 

"Arrrg... Join CAFNR Student Council!" Mat Jeffers, Maggie Hardwick and I assisted with the adventure themed booth. 

So proud of my little brother, Dane Brammer, who is one of 30 sophomores selected to attend the Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Glad you are following in my footsteps as a MABA alumni! 

FFA is a family tradition for the Brammers! Dane is a current member, Celia teaches agricultural education and I am a collegiate member so we represent all FFA areas. 

The Gallatin FFA Chapter had TWO state proficiency winners this year. Congratulations Megan Beck, we have come a long way from our days showing horses.  

One Month Until Africa!

In exactly one month I will be stepping foot onto a new continent: Africa. I receive nearly weekly updates about my impending internship and I cannot express how excited I am to embark on this journey. My international agriculture development internship position is sponsored by ICM and will take me to Mozambique, Africa to work with Orphans Unlimited. I somehow was fortunate to obtain my dream internship this summer. I will be away for three months and many individuals have asked me about the experience like:

"Am I excited?" 

"What are you going to be doing over there."

And, my favorite, "What are you going to eat?"

Well, I am a picky eater. However, I will be getting used to rice, beans, bread, goat and fresh produce. I will be gone for a fourth of the year. I recognize that I will be missing out on an entire summer; which includes county fairs, friends birthdays and countless memories in between. But, it is worth it. There is no question in my mind that this summer will be life changing. 

I am flying to Mozambique with an open mind, willing hands and warm heart. I am most excited to work with the children. I am sure many of them will steal my heart and reaffirm my faith in humanity. I feel as though I have gotten to "comfortable" in the U.S. 

Traveling abroad allows me to see the world in a different light and to be less egotistical. What I most enjoy about travel is being able to share experiences with others upon returning. I have already had requests from civic and collegiate organizations to share my travel adventures this fall. 

So yes, I am excited. In fact, I am ecstatic about traveling to Africa. I will not have electricity, cell phone service, internet access and limited basic needs. That's just part of the beauty of travel. Above all I hope to change someone's life this summer as I am sure mine will be altered- for the better- in more ways than I can fathom. 

Only one month until Mozambique and my visa are ready! 

AFA Campus Ambassador

"If you actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."
 ~John Quincy Adams

In life, I have been blessed with many leadership opportunities. I have attended conferences across the nation since high school, heard countless motivational speeches (some speakers more than once) and

have been told more times than I care to count how it is up to me to make a difference. I truly hope to leave my mark on the world, after all is that not what we all want?

One colligate experience that has impacted my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined is Agriculture Future of America. I was recently selected to serve as a 2013 AFA Campus Ambassador. In this position I am the liaison between the University of Missouri and AFA. I work to promote AFA Leaders Conference and institutes, grow industry partnerships and spread the message about AFA.

There are four tracks to Leaders Conference and during the fall I attended track 2 as a sophomore. Last summer I was the AFA communications and marketing intern which provided me with an academic scholarship. I have also attended the Animal Institute where I had the opportunity to learn about the midwest animal health industry. Overall, the organization has been pretty amazing to me and I want collegians to recognize the opportunities AFA holds.

This year's AFA advisory team met for our first meeting in Kansas City. We got to know our teammates and formulated goals for the impending year. We meet again in St. Louis during August to gear up for exciting Leaders Conference preparation. I enjoyed the energy and passion displayed at our meeting. It was wonderful to see old faces and to make new friends. For some ambassadors this was their first trip to Missouri and I know the show me state treated them well!

In between planning and photo shoots our team formulated goals for the impending year. I am excited to meet with MU faculty and students to share AFA's message. AFA is an opportunity for collegians to bridge the gap between high school and the workforce. It allows students to gain internships and make invaluable industry connections to influence careers. The networking done at AFA events is crucial to formulating not only lifelong relationships but to impacting life beyond college. Apply to the Leader's Conference today!

Maggie Joe Pruitt and I at dinner after our ambassador photo shoot. She hails from the University of Arkansas and we first met at last AFA Conference during a sponsor breakfast. 

Wesley Davis, West Virginia's National FFA Officer candidate. I told him that if he obtains office he owes me an autograph with this picture! 

It seems like I was just going on Spring Break with this lady! 

I absolutely love meeting new amazing people like these ladies at leadership events. I cannot wait to work with them in the coming year!

One Last Sunset

And now I know why they call it Orange Beach. Night walks and evening swims with views like this made me not want to come back to the Midwest, even though I am a Missouri girl at heart. Spring Break 2013 was one for the record books. The rolling waves and white sand of the Gulf Shores will be missed as I stress for final exams and endure the the flippant Missouri weather. 

"There's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away." ~Sarah Kay 

Adventures in Alabama

"Our memories of the ocean will linger on long after our footprints in the sand are gone."~Anonymous

Spring Break 2013 brought many memories and I am blessed to have went with both new and old friends. Sarah Fuson and I began our friendship by meeting on a 4-H Equine Tour bus in junior high. We discovered our home towns were only 40 minutes apart and that we both shared an undying passion for horses.  Since then we have shown horses at the same fairs visited our other dear friend, Sonja Perry, who happens to live across the state, and made may memories in high school and college. 

Sydney Lawrence and I have a similar story, our friendship began in FFA. We attend the Washington Leadership Conference in D.C. and Missouri Girls State together. Senior year of high school she also claims I "saved her life" during an FFA competition where she was in need of extra resume copies. However, it was nothing as I know she would assist me in any situation as well! Since then we have attended concerts and conferences together. We were both just selected to serve as Agriculture Future of America campus ambassadors together. I cannot wait to start this next adventure in our friendship. 

This year's group also included wonderful ladies like Allison Liebhart. Skylar and Haylee Olberding (twins!) I am simply continually amazed about how we are all connected and that how often, we find lifelong friends no matter where we venture. It's true, the memories do linger... always. 

Traditional writing my name in the sand moment! 

Whitney Walters, Sarah Fuson and I standing in front of a gorgeous beach home! 

The shore line which we took morning and evening strolls on. 

We visited a state park to see local bird species. 

Fed by local fishermen, the birds are very tame!

The girls and I are ready for a night out at Florabama!

Our whole group on the boardwalk! 

Sydney and I have known each other since our days in FFA, she's one of my best friends!

Orange Beach

Life's just better at the beach. The sound of children laughing, elderly couples holding hands walking along the shore, families making memories building sandcastles... Being at the beach is a beautiful time to be young or to feel so again. 

The Gulf Shores did not disappoint. No one from our group had been here before (going somewhere new is always a plus!) and many of us had heard of the south's delights. The gently rolling waves and white sand beaches were straight out of a tourism brochure. 

Our condo was also a sheer delight. Each year I somehow end up the "head honcho" for planning the spring break adventure. Which, I do not mind as it is pretty much in my nature to be the planner. After many hours of internet searches and at least a dozen phone calls I narrow down the most optimum condos. (Location and price are always key... hey we are on a college budget!) 

Already, next year's location is on my mind. Florida has been mentioned, so it may be a toss up between Destine and Clear Water. However, going on a cruise has been a long awaited item on my bucket list. So, the Bahamas may call my name. One of my best friends, Mallory Tramell has promised me to grace the trip with her presence next year. As it will be our last official spring break ever- one of the downfalls of graduating early- we want to make the most of it! Above all we will be off to somewhere warm, as we all know I am a beach girl!

Enjoying a lounge on the beach- Only a $25 daily rental fee!

An early morning beach walk collecting sea shells. 

Walking to the peer with Whitney and Sarah. 

Fishing time. 

Enjoying the view from our 9th floor condo. 

I loved waking up to this view daily! 

Spring Break Road Trip

To quote Clark Griswald's on National Lampoon's Vacation, "Despite all the little problems it's fun isn't it?" To which his wife, Ellen, replies "No. But with every new day there's fresh hope."

Road trips always have the potential to be interesting. As the Clark family discovered, anything that can go wrong will. Luckily, this year's 12 hour spring break road trip to Orange Beach, Alabama was a success. We did not even get lost!

Two trunks filled with luggage, seven girls and a GPS were bound for a week on Gulf Shores. I was the lone Mizzou girl this year, as Northwest Missouri State University's spring break coordinated with MU's and I decided to visit with friends from there. We spent a week on the beach away from the stress of academics.

The end of March signifies a break from long hours in Ellis Library, time away from collegiate commitments and the welcoming warmth of the beach. I spent break reading through a stack of historical fiction novels about England, as usual.

Our group enjoyed dinner at a delightful eatery, the Hangout, which was delicious! We spent several nights at Florabama a local attraction located directly on the state line. The local tourist shops offered plenty of opportunities to souvenir hunt before an afternoon on the beach.

The drive to Orange Beach took us directly through the Missouri boot heel and the entire state of Mississippi. This was my first time visiting Alabama. I must say, every time I visit the south I become more convinced that I should have been a southern bell!

Starting off the 2013 Spring Break road trip in Columbia!

"Sweet Home Alabama" with my dear friend Sydney Lawerence.