#psuaged18 is ready to serve: The @TeachAgPSU Student Showcase

#psuaged18 is ready to serve! Take a look at their Student Showcase to learn all about their success.

Meet your new Teach Ag! Avengers!

Your 2018-19 Teach Ag! Avengers from L to R (starting at top):
Sam Loy, Victoria Herr, Kayla Rose Stauffer, Beth Winklosky,
Maddie Bentz, Erin Langdale, Alicia Gates, and Megan Royer.

We can all probably think back to our high school days and early college years, and remember a time where we might not have even had a clue of what we wanted to do with our lives yet. How did you ultimately decide what you wanted to do? Luckily, FFA members and agricultural students have the Teach Ag! Avengers to help them find out!

If you're currently an agricultural teacher or working in the agriculture industry, perhaps you had a conversation with one of our Avengers, sparking your interest in the field of agriculture. We're showcasing our 8 outstanding Teach Ag! Avengers, who are serving as the face of the Agricultural and Extension Education major for The Pennsylvania State University's 2018 - 2019 year. As Kayla Rose Stauffer puts it, the purpose of the Avengers is, "...to promote agriculture in a positive light and to help decrease the shortage of agricultural educators." 

Meet our 8 outstanding Teach Ag! Avengers, who are serving as the face of the Agricultural and Extension Education major for The Pennsylvania State University's 2018 - 2019 year:

Victoria Herr (@Victoria_Herr), #psuaged19

Why do I want to teach Ag?
"I want to teach agriculture because I saw the impact that my agricultural education teachers had on my own life and I want to pass that impact onto the next generation."

Why am I a Teach Ag! Avenger?
"I chose to serve as a Teach Ag! Avenger because I believe it is important to give back to the Ag Ed community. We've all been given so many opportunities and so much support during our time in Ag Ed and it's up to us to continue that cycle and give back by recruiting and supporting the younger members of our community."


Alicia Gates (@gates_alicia), #psuaged20

Why do I want to teach Ag?
"I want to teach Ag simply because I believe in the future of agriculture. I believe that to have a positive and growing future in the agricultural industry we need to educate generation after generation on the industry that puts the clothes on our back, the shelter over our heads, and the food on our plates."
Why am I a Teach Ag! Avenger?
"I wanted to be an avenger to help maximize my experience in the field of Ag Ed so that I can provide a valuable learning environment for my students someday."

Megan Royer (@Megyyy22), #psuaged21

Why do I want to teach Ag?
"I want to become an Agricultural Educator because of the impact my teacher and my Ag program has had on me. I learned so much about myself as well as other through my program and I would like to create that opportunity for other kids. Most importantly, I want to become an Ag Teacher because I want to teach kids and get kids excited not only about information and skills that will not only set them up for a bright future but also help those kids thrive in our ever-changing world."

Why am I a Teach Ag! Avenger?
"I chose to become an Teach Ag! Avenger because I wanted the opportunity to promote and discuss an occupation that needs everyone! More importantly, I wanted to stress that just because you may not fit into the typically cookie cutter outline of what most people would consider as Ag does not mean there is not a place for you, and here in Ag Ed we would be extremely happy for you to join us!"

Kayla Rose Stauffer (@krstauffer19), #psuaged19

Why do I want to teach Ag?
"I want to teach Ag to create a world where consumers understand where their products come from and not that they come from the shelf at the supermarket. I also want to teach Ag to reach out to those children that don't know what they want to do, and to explain the benefits of teaching agriculture."

Why am I a Teach Ag! Avenger?
"I chose to be a Teach Ag! Avenger to help reduce the shortage of agricultural educators. I also chose to be an avenger to show students the important of agricultural education and why agricultural education is a great career pathway to choose!"

Sam Loy (@samloy_ag), #psuaged21

Why do I want to teach Ag?
"I want to teach Ag because I believe it's one of the only subjects you can teach that directly prepares students for a world outside high school, through the knowledge of where their food comes from, CDE's, and the multitude of different subjects (math, bio, chemistry) covered by Ag."

Why am I a Teach Ag! Avenger?
"I chose to be a Teach Ag! Avenger because I want to help directly impact youth in FFA programs around Pennsylvania while furthering my teaching and professional skills."


Elizabeth Winklosky (@Winklosky_Beth), #psuaged19

Why do I want to teach Ag?
"I like the individuality and the impact that I have on a part of each student's lives."

Why am I a Teach Ag! Avenger?
"This is where we can get other people to feel the same passion that I do. Many people don't know what they want to do until it happens, and that's exactly what happened with me, so I want to be there to let them know that teaching Ag is an option for them!"


Erin Langdale (@ItsErinLangdale), #psuaged20

Why do I want to teach Ag?

"Simply put: we ALL need agriculture to survive. By 2050, there will be over 9 billion people living on this planet, and it’s the challenge of agriculturalists, to figure out how we will provide enough nutritious food for everyone. Agricultural education not only informs people of that fact, but it shows students how they play an active role in the agriculture industry. It is vital that all people be knowledgeable of where there food comes from, and agricultural education is a huge factor of informing the general public about the agriculture industry."

Why am I a Teach Ag! Avenger?

"Agricultural education is something that I am so passionate about, and being a Teach Ag! Avenger, means getting to spread that passion to others. I thought that being a Teach Ag! Avenger would be a great opportunity to represent Agricultural Education, and Penn State (two things I love so much). I also decided to become a Teach Ag! Avenger, because it would give me valuable experience in advocacy, and sharing my story in agriculture."

Maddie Bentz, #psuaged21

The Avengers are attending each weekend of the ongoing PA FFA ACES Conference, held February 3rd - 4th, 10th - 11th, and 17th - 18th, to engage with current high school FFA members, recruit for the Agricultural and Extension Education major, and answer any questions students may have about a future career that creates a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe.

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog.

Hunter Kauffman, Student Blogger

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

College of Agricultural Sciences

Instagram: kauffman_hunter

Email: hlk5120@psu.edu

Agricultural Educators Become Students: Chesapeake Bay Foundation Press Release (@chesapeakebay)

January 31, 2018

For Immediate Release

Contact: B.J. Small, 717-200-4521

CBF to provide agricultural teachers a lesson

in the value of meaningful watershed experiences

(HARRISBURG) – Agriculture teachers will become students when meeting with Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) educators to learn about the value of providing hands-on environmental education that connects students with real-world issues. Called Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE), many teachers have found that supporting classroom work with investigations into local environmental issues engages students in their community and improves critical thinking. The workshops are being held in Harrisburg in February.

“We are excited for the opportunity to share information and resources with these teachers to support and enhance their approaches to teaching about sustainability and the impact of agriculture on water quality, particularly in their local communities,” said Dr. Amy Green, Director of Teacher Professional Learning at CBF. “We also want to show them how the MWEE model can help advance environmental literacy and stewardship through field-based learning, in the context of agricultural sciences.”

CBF staff will partner with the Penn State Center for Professional Personnel Development (CPPD) to address 170 agriculture teachers over the first three Saturdays in February at the Sheraton in Harrisburg.

The workshops for teachers coincide with the annual Agricultural Cooperation Establishes Success (ACES) conference for about 1,500 students from 100 Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters throughout Pennsylvania. At ACES, students will learn social skills, leadership, and teamwork.

Teachers will learn about Pennsylvania’s relationship to the Bay; the Commonwealth’s progress and challenges in reducing pollution; and how agricultural education connects to and can include environmental education with field-based learning, student action, and stewardship.

“We want to expose teachers to some of the tools and strategies we’ve been working with in Maryland and Virginia, and how they can be applied in Pennsylvania,” said Norah Carlos, Education Outreach and Communications Coordinator at CBF. “Studies have shown that environmental education improves academic performance, increases civic engagement, and instills a belief that individuals can make a difference.”

CBF also has a Susquehanna Watershed Environmental Education Program. This field-based program supports MWEE in Pennsylvania, investigating the health of local waterways. Students study the physical characteristics of the waterway, the shoreline, and adjoining lands. They use water chemistry tests to determine water quality, examine stream health through examining the aquatic life that is present in the stream, and use maps to orient themselves in their watershed.

CBF also provides a Mentors in Agricultural Conservation (MAC) program that pairs FFA and 4H students with CBF restoration specialists, to participate in restoration work and learn about agricultural conservation projects on local farms.

“Issues like water quality, soil health, and implementation of best management practices are central to agricultural education, and provide prime opportunities for hands-on study,” Carlos added. “We will also use computer technology to show these teachers how they can compare water quality across the watershed in the Commonwealth.”

The CBF and CPPD partnership at the workshops will have long-term benefits to both organizations and for the teachers attending the workshops.

“Developing a partnership between the Penn State CPPD and CBF will allow Pennsylvania’s agricultural education teachers to obtain the most current knowledge and skills related to protecting our water,” added Dr. John Ewing, Associate Professor of Agricultural Education at Penn State University.

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CBF Photos

Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) are learner-centered experiences and investigations into local environmental issues that lead to informed action and civic engagement.

Editor’s note: more information on the benefits of environmental education can be found at:

NAAEE (North American Association of Environmental Education)

We request that all the Agriculture Educators that are participating in this workshop to interact on social media to promote the partnership between the CBF and Penn State Center for Professional Personnel Development.

February 2018 Student of the Month: Libby Baker-Mikesell (@Baker_Mi16)

Each month we like to highlight students that have gone above and beyond in their involvement in the agriculture education program at PSU! We are proud to announce that Libby Baker-Mikesell was selected as the February's Student of the Month! Lets learn about her adventure and accomplishments so far.

Libby is a plant science major at Penn State, and she was inspired to become a plant science major due to her involvement in the National FFA Agriscience Fair. Libby's research had started on investigating issues within her family's beef farm, and eventually her research expanded into regional issues. She explained, "My primary research area was Plant Science, as I investigated best management practices to increase the health of the Chesapeake Bay. It was my research that led me to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in plant science." Her passion to purse this major is driven by helping students learn as they realize their potential. She believes that earning her Bachelor's Degree and studying agricultural education in a informal fashion will allow her to gain the hands-on knowledge necessary to succeed in and outside the classroom. 

After graduating with her Bachelor's Degree, Libby plans to earn her Master's Degree in Agricultural Education and teach either environmental or agricultural education in a informal setting. Her career goal is to learn something new every day. She states, "I believe that life is a learning experience and that everyone you meet has a different knowledge base. If I can approach life with a growth mindset and the goal of learning something new every day, I will have a successful career."  She stays motivated towards her major by maximizing her time on campus is reassuring that she will achieve her goals in life. 

Libby is also involved in several activities outside of class which include: Ag Student Council Secretary, LEAD Society Secretary, Collegiate Farm Bureau Ag Student Council Rep, and Lutheran Student Community Member. 

Fun Facts about Libby:
Hometown: Port Royal, PA
Graduation: Fall 2021
Birthday: September 25
Favorite PSU Class: HORT 101
Favorite places to eat in State College: Baby's, Primanti Bros.
Favorite athletics team/sport: Penn State Football, of course!
Favorite hangout on campus: Ferguson or the coffee shop above the bookstore

Luke Kerstetter

Communications Team Member

Twitter Handle: @lmkerstetter96

2020 Agricultural Education Student Teacher

Second Year Series: Laura Metrick's (@Its_LauraBeth) Experience

It has often been said that the agricultural community around us is quick in developing connections among each other as well as being a close knit group. With this in mind our featured educator Laura Metrick is using this aspect in creating a classroom environment that develops connections between students, students to community, and student to teacher. Laura is the current agricultural educator at Conneaut Area High School in Crawford County. Laura is part of the #psuaged15 cohort, and has been teaching for two full years.

Laura had started her teaching career out at Union City Area High School opening up a brand new program. She taught there for two full years, and now teaches at Conneaut Area High School where she student taught. Her most inspiring moment as a teacher was working with her two square dancing teams preparing for PA State Farm Show. In this moment there were several students from very different backgrounds, but they all communicated and worked well with each other. She stated, "It has just been so refreshing and a great reminder that in the “Ag Room” anyone is welcome no matter what and when we work together good things happen." She has changed things up in her teaching style to be more effective in the classroom. She strongly believes that getting to know the students is key and that catering lessons to their needs has helped the behavior and grades of the students. 

Laura's favorite moment as an educator was taking students to the National FFA Convention this past year. This was the first year she went as an advisor, and she enjoyed getting to plan the trip and experience. "Getting to bond with the students I took along," she exclaimed, "...witnessing them experience the convention was super rewarding!" 

In the past two years that she has been teaching she has learned more than she expected. Laura learned that some of the best lesson come from places that one would never expect. She also believes that there are not lesson fails just unexpected learning opportunities. One of the biggest struggles she has faced is replacing an agricultural education legend. "Following in the footsteps of an outstanding educator who was there for 35 years has its many benefits but also its challenges," she exclaimed. 

One piece of advice she has for incoming teachers is to not be afraid to reach out and ask for help. She is not sure how she would have made it through her first year without reaching out to local Ag teachers in her area, her student teaching cohort, and the resources at Penn State. "We all have the same goal of student success so if you are ever struggling to come up with an effective teaching method, brainstorm some new fundraising ideas, figure out tours for your next FFA trip or just need someone to talk to just reach out! We’re all in this together!" We are looking forward to see how you lead the next generation of students into understanding and developing a passion for agriculture.

Luke Kerstetter

Communications Team Member

Twitter Handle: @lmkerstetter96

2020 Agricultural Education Student Teacher

January 2018 Student of the Month: Kaitlin Liszka (@KaitlinLiszka)

Each month we like to highlight students that have gone above and beyond in the agriculture education program at PSU! We are proud to announce that Kaitlin Liszka was selected as the January's Student of the Month! Lets learn about her adventure and accomplishments so far.

Kaitlin is currently a sophomore in the Agriculture and Extension Education major. However, she has an interesting story of how she ended up in this major. She had attended Ohio State University majoring in Animal Science, but while she was there she realized that there was a place for her in Agriculture Education. This caused her to transfer to Penn State, and had switched majors to focus on Agriculture Education rather than just animal science.

Her plans after graduation are not set in stone because she knows that life plans change, but her current plan is to become an Extension Educator. Her passion is to teach agriculture is driven by the realization that there was a large disconnect between farm to plate. She states, "As I went through my classes it became more and more evident to me that I was more passionate about making sure that everyone could understand why we feed cattle grain than figuring out how much grain we needed to feed the cattle, so when I transferred to Penn State I also made the decision to change my major so that I would be better equip to follow my passions." Her goal as an educator is to create educated consumers, and equip the public to be able to understand the food system to make educated decisions when they buy their food. She stays motivated towards her major by being a part of experiences that allow her to get a glimpse of what she will do once she is graduated.

Kaitlin is also active outside of class in several clubs and organizations including LEAD Society, Collegiate Cattlewomen, Global Teach Ag!, and Cedar Heights RSO.

Fun Facts about Kaitlin:
Hometown: Jamestown, PA
Graduation year: 2020
Birthday: December 8th, 1995
Favorite PSU class: ASTRO 1
Favorite places to eat in State College: Otto's
Favorite athletics team/sport: Steelers
Favorite hangout on campus: The Creamery
Favorite thing at PSU: The Creamery Ice Cream
Agricultural Program Activities: 4-H
Twitter Handle: @KailtinLiszka
Instagram: kait_liszka21

 Luke Kerstetter

Communications Team Member

Twitter Handle: @lmkerstetter96

2020 Agricultural Education Student Teacher

You Don't Want To Miss This! #GLAG18 Is Almost Here

Are you interested in "globalizing" your agriculturally-focused instruction?  The Global Learning Conference in Agriculture is designed to help you create global learning opportunities for students in any agricultural discipline.

What is GLAG?

The Global Learning Conference in Agriculture (GLAG) Conference is designed to help you create global learning opportunities for students in any agricultural discipline.

GLAG is aimed towards current secondary, post-secondary, and pre-service agriscience educators of all disciplines, extension educators, and vendors and stakeholders in global learning, but anyone is welcome to register! The GLAG program believes that purposeful, meaningful global learning can occur on and off campus, and that there should be coordination from all levels of agricultural education to ensure maximum student growth on the global competency continuum.

When:

Events for #GLAG18 will be taking place the entire week of January 22nd to 26th. The week-long conference concludes with the LIVE session held on Friday from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST. Check out the 2018 Conference Agenda for more information.

Where:

#GLAG17 featured a host of guest speakers such as
Keegan Kautzky (Left) from World Food Prize.

• Online! Daily activities via Zoom (see the 2018 Conference Agenda for Zoom links) covering an array of topics related to diversity, professional development, global connections, and global agriculture.
• LIVE Conference: Online via Adobe Connect (Link received with #GLAG18 registration).

Benefits of registration:

For your registration fee, you will receive:

• One of only a limited number of spots in this year’s Global Learning in Agriculture conference on January 26, 2018 [Note: To ensure the best experience, we are limiting capacity.]
• Opportunity to attend presentations on best practices of globalizing curriculum on campus and best practices for conducting immersion experiences.
• Access to a virtual vendor fair in which you can collaborate with businesses and programs that are interested in helping you achieve your program or individual growth goals.
• Win fabulous door prizes, before, after and during the event!
• Finally, registrants who have registered for the All Access Pass for $50 received an exclusive “Conference in a Box” with critical materials (and wickedly awesome cool stuff) to have an enjoyable experience. All conference boxes have been claimed, but there's still time to register for Digital-Only access!

Note: Penn State students should email teachag@psu.edu to learn about scholarship opportunities.

So, how do I register?

• Digital Only access provides registrants with access to all conference activities, but does not include a "Conference in a Box".  Digital Only registration is available until Thursday, January 25th. Select "Digital Pass Only" on the registration form to select this option. Digital Pass Only Registration is $25.

Need any more reason to attend? 

Our Keynote Speakers during Friday's LIVE session are Appiah Boateng, founder and Executive Director of 4-H Ghana, and Trent McKnight, founder of AgriCorps. The title of their talk is "Transforming Global Agriculture Through Youth Engagement". Want to learn more about them? Click here.

Don't miss out; see you at the conference January 22nd to 26th!

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Hunter Kauffman, Student Blogger

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

College of Agricultural Sciences

Email: hlk5120@psu.edu

Instagram: kauffman_hunter