We Welcome Graduate Student Kendra Flood into the Penn State Teach Ag! Family

 This year the Penn State Teach Ag! Family has had the pleasure of receiving a new graduate student in Agricultural and Extension Education. With just a semester at Penn State under her belt, Kendra Flood has already proven to be a talented addition to Pennsylvania Agricultural and Extension Education.

Growing up in Montrose, Illinois, Kendra attended Cumberland High School. Her love for Agricultural Education began on her family's farm where they raised show pigs, goats, chickens, and rabbits. She was active in 4-H through leadership positions at the local and county level, state committees, and a variety of projects. Additionally, she was active in FFA serving at the state, district, and local levels in leadership positions. Her SAEs were in Agricultural Communications and Swine Production as well as  working for Grissom's Lost Creek Orchard. 

Kendra earned her Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Systems and Education with a specialization in Agricultural Education and a minor in Crops, Soil, and Environmental Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. When asked about why she chose to pursue Agricultural Education, Kendra explained, "I am passionate about teaching agriculture, because agriculture is something that is all around us, but we are not always aware of it. I think it is important to teach students to become educated consumers and, possibly, agriculturists". As an undergraduate, Kendra was involved in the Agricultural Education Club, Collegiate FFA, College of Agricultural Science Student Council, Alpha Tau Alpha, and other agricultural organizations. She has also completed an internship with The Equity, an agricultural co-op, during two summer breaks. Outside of her academic career, Kendra can always be found on a hike with her Border Collie sidekick, Milo.

Determined to further her education, Kendra decided to pursue her Master's at Penn State. She said, "No other program had such an individualized approach as Penn State. Here, I am able to pursue research areas I am interested in as well as work with other faculty in their areas of interest. Also, the mountains provide a very nice view". As a Graduate Student in Agricultural and Extension Education, Kendra is able to engage not only in research, but teaching experiences that will strengthen her presence in the classroom and relationships that will encourage her to pursue her passions. Additionally, she has opportunities for professional development. Recently, Kendra, along with Dr. Kevin Curry and Dr. Kathleen Sexsmith, have been recognized for their work on the paper, "Gender Stereotypes of Suits and Boots: Student Perceptions of Gender in School-Based Agricultural Education and Careers" and have received the NC-AAAE Distinguished Manuscript Award, filling Agricultural and Extension Education faculty and students with pride. 

After completing her Master's with Penn State, Kendra hopes to gain a few years of experience teaching at the high school level and then earn her Ph. D. in either policy or education. In the future she hopes to someday create policy for the agricultural industry and Agricultural Education. Until then however, we are excited to witness Kendra's growth during her time at Penn State. Her advice to students interested in pursuing a degree in Agricultural Education would be, "Find a program and faculty member who lets you be the driver of your program. Dr. Kevin Curry always reminds me of how important it is to pursue things I care about as I will be writing about that subject for a while. So, it is important to find a program that will let you explore those areas you are interested in". 

WE ARE excited to welcome such an intelligent and driven young Agricultural Educator into our Penn State Teach Ag! family. Kendra, congratulations on all of your accomplishments so far. We cannot wait to see what else you do on your journey here at Penn State and what you do for all of Agricultural Education in the future. 

Taylor Halbleib

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2022

October Agricultural & Extension Education Student of the Month Awarded to Nicole Guise

The Agricultural & Extension Education Staff would like to congratulate the October Student of the month Nicole Guise of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania. Nicole shares, "My family has two dairy farms that total over 500 acres in York and Adams counties, Buttonwood Farms and Bentz-Hollow Farm. We do not milk cows anymore but instead focus on breeding genetically elite Holstein calves and heifers, we grow corn and soybeans, and have a custom baling and harvesting business." Outside of the family farm, Nicole has gained experiences with the York County 4-H Clubs (Dairy, Dairy Beef, and Teen Council). She was a part of the state winning 4-H Dairy Judging team and traveled to both the World Dairy Expo and NAILE to represent Pennsylvania. Her experiences in 4-H lead her to serving as a Delegate for National 4-H Congress and as a York County Dairy Princess.

 Nicole spent her time attending and studying at the Penn State York Campus before joining us at University Park. While at York, Nicole was involved in the Penn State York AgSci Club, Graham Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellow, and she also won a Start-Up Challenge, similar to TV show Shark Tank, with a business plan for a customizable raised bed gardening service. Currently, Nicole is a senior graduating with a B.S. in Agricultural & Extension Education with minors in Environmental Resource Management and International Agriculture. Nicole is very involved in clubs and programs at Penn State including: Ag Advocates, Teach Ag Avengers, LEAD Society (Banquet Chair), Collegiate Farm Bureau (President), Dairy Science Club (Penn State Dairy Princess), and the Student Farm Club.

In addition to Nicole's involvement in clubs and student organizations, she is a teaching assistant for the Animal Science 201 course. Her hobbies include kayaking, baking and hiking with a unique goal in mind of going to every Pennsylvania and National Park before she dies. You can find Nicole in the Ag Administration Building in the Study Abroad Lounge as it is her favorite place on campus to hang out at. The restaurant Irvings is also her favorite place to eat in State College. As part of being an "Ag Avenger" Nicole has played a role in developing the Owl Pal Program at Penn State. "I created Owl Pals to connect AEE students regardless of their location (UP or Commonwealth Campus). From my own experience moving campuses, there were opportunities I wished I had known about/people I wish I had known were there to help me. It is my hope that Owl Pals helps Commonwealth Campus students feel more prepared to make the jump to UP, but also feel more connected to the students and faculty within the major."

Nicole has had some unique opportunities while being at Penn State including her trip to Chile. Since then, she shares her growing interest in hydroponics and that she wants to learn more in this area of agriculture as she continues her studies. As she is gearing up to start her student teaching experiences this Spring, Nicole will be student teaching at Derry Area High School with Mrs. Carly-Jean Rippole. 

WE ARE excited to see where the future takes Nicole as she embarks on her journey teaching agriculture and much more! We know she will continue to succeed in the future in all that she does. Best of luck next semester Nicole, we are rooting for you! 

To keep up with Nicole be sure to check out her social media profile on Twitter @nrguise.

Morgan Bear

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2023

Thomas Gabel Utilizes Student Engagement Remote Innovation Grant for Professional Development

While the COVID-19 pandemic has made it especially difficult for college students to engage in meaningful experiences this year, one Penn State student in the College of Agricultural Sciences took advantage of an opportunity through the Student Engagement Network to develop his professional resume. Thomas Gabel, a junior in Agricultural and Extension Education, applied and received the Student Engagement Remote Innovation Grant this past summer, earning a few new certifications to add to his resume.

Unable to take part in many in-person activities this summer, Thomas transformed his apartment desk setup into an area for professional development completing VoiceThread, Google Educator, and WordPress trainings virtually. Thomas explains, "Now more than ever, educational technology and virtual instruction is in the forefront of educational discussions". Realizing this, he took advantage of these opportunities to engage in the professional development they offer for educators. He hopes to utilize these skills in his future classroom in order to better challenge and teach his students. "The true impact of this experience will be felt as I transition into the role of an agricultural educator and utilize these skills in my lessons". Additionally, he has been able to share this new knowledge through the Global Teach
Ag Network with current educators, acting as a resource for Pennsylvania Agricultural Education. 

Thomas' studies and position as an intern for Global Teach Ag were directly complimented by his summer experience. Highlighting the importance of experiences like these, Thomas says, "Both my coursework and internship emphasize the importance of technology in connecting educators and students to create impactful learning experiences". During his internship, he will be able to utilize his new knowledge of VoiceThread and Google Educator to engage over 450 educators during the Global Learning in Agriculture Conference and over 50 classrooms across the world with online global agriculture modules that he continuously curates for the GLAGjr program. 

From the experiences he was able to engage in after receiving the Student Engagement Remote Innovation Grant, Thomas became a Google Level One Certified Educator. After he completes his capstone project, he will also be a certified VoiceThread Educator. Through this opportunity, Thomas will be better able to utilize different technologies in his future classroom. "The positive growth I experienced this summer will create an exponential impact on tomorrow’s youth as I work to engage and inspire them through effective agricultural education instruction". 

Congratulations Thomas on receiving the Student Engagement Remote Innovation Grant and utilizing this opportunity to engage in meaningful professional development experiences during these challenging times!

Taylor Halbleib

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2022

Jenna Kibbe is Selected as the Agricultural & Extension Education September's Student of the Month

 Although a little late, WE ARE proud to recognize the Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month for September. This month's recipient is Jenna Kibbe of Findley Lake, New York. Jenna spent time serving the New York FFA Association as the 2017-2018 New York FFA State Treasurer. Jenna attended Penn State Behrend in Erie for a year and enjoyed her time there before coming to University Park as a sophomore. Currently, Jenna is a junior majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education with minors in Spanish and International Agriculture.

So far, Jenna's favorite classes at Penn State have been Horticulture 150N, Plant 220, and Ballroom Dancing! Her involvement with clubs includes LEAD Society where she serves on the officer team, and she is also involved in the Spanish Emersion Club and Salt Company. She loves to represent Penn State and has the Minnesota Vikings as one of her favorite sports team. You can find Jenna hanging out on campus at the Arboretum, Millennium Science Complex or at Old Main. Some of her favorite places to eat in State College are Sower Harvest Café and Big Bowl Noodle House.

If you know Jenna, you know her love for her dog, Ruger a German Shepard. Speaking of cool facts about Jenna, she has also gone hunting in 3 states and deep sea fished in the Atlantic Ocean. Her favorite quote is "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7. Jenna has greatly impressed us with her efforts both inside and outside the classroom to create more opportunities for students in the Agricultural and Extension Education major.

A program that Jenna has been working to organize alongside Nicole Guise through the Teach Ag Avengers at Penn State, is the Penn State Owl Pal Program. The goals of this program are to:

1. To connect AEE Commonwealth Campus students to AEE University Park students, faculty, and staff
2. To decrease the stresses associated with transitioning campuses
1. To provide a unique student perspective of the AEE major

The purpose of the Owl Pal Program is to help the transition from a branch campus of Penn State to University Park less difficult for students. As Jenna was in these student's places she shares "Being a transfer student who found the adjustment difficult,  there was simple knowledge about State College that I wish I would have known, so Nicole and I worked together this summer to develop the list of topics that we felt would help students not only adjust to college and academics, but also life in State College." If you or someone you know is a AEE major at Penn State or planning to become one you can reach out to Jenna Kibbe at jok5448@psu.edu. so that she can add your name to the list! This program starts the first year you arrive at any Penn State campus and will last through when you come to University Park to help get students adjusted to campus life.

We believe this program will serve students well as it provides more connections for students directly to the major through helping them find personal connections and lasting relationships as they go throughout their Penn State journey's. We appreciate all of the work Jenna has put into organizing this program and we can't wait to see the positive outcomes! Be sure to keep up with Jenna by following her on Instagram @jennakibbe and on Twitter @JennaKibbe

 

Morgan Bear

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural & Extension Education

Class of 2023