Advancing Climate Change Education Resources for Agriculture Educators

Global Teach Ag Network Undergraduate Intern Swarali Parikh earns Penn State Student Engagement Network Grant 

Ms. Swarali Parikh has received a Penn State Student Engagement Network Grant to continue her work as a Global Teach Ag Network (GTAN) Undergraduate Intern. GTAN is a network of industry partners that provide professional development for secondary-level agricultural educators. GTAN was founded by two Penn State faculty members: Dr. Daniel Foster, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Extension Education, and Dr. Melanie Miller-Foster, Associate Teaching Professor of International Agriculture. GTAN is staffed by undergraduate interns and graduate associates who help to facilitate events in the Global Learning in Agriculture Community.  

 

As Ms. Swarali Parikh continues her engagement with GTAN, she is advancing climate change education initiatives by developing academic modules that teach middle and high school students about global issues related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, she will coordinate virtual professional development events with industry and NGO partners.  

As an in-person component of this self-directed student engagement experience, Ms. Parikh attended the 2022 Borlaug Dialogues, hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation annually in Des Moines, IA. During this experience, she engaged with cutting-edge resources and leaders who are passionate about advancing and improving the current state of global agriculture and climate education.  

Ms. Parikh discussing the connection between agriculture and folk dance from Bhangra with Dr. Rattan Lal, the 2020 recipient of the World Food Prize 

 

For additional information, contact Elizabeth Holtry, GTAN Undergraduate Intern (elh5427@psu.edu). 

  

“The Global Teach Ag Network empowers educators to address global food systems transformation, while connecting global experts, practitioners, organizations, and businesses to educators around the world.” 

Highlighting Penn State Ag Ed Students that Participated in Cohort 1 of GOALs

What is GOALs?

The GOALs program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for PSU and Idaho students to cultivate their proficiency in food security education with REAL experiences! The Global Orientation to Agricultural Learning program (GOALs) is a USDA NIFA Funded project of the Global Teach Ag Network (GTAN) involving the University of Idaho, Penn State, and the World Food Prize Foundation. To learn more, please visit our GOALs page: https://globalteachagnetwork.psu.edu/goals-program/ Earlier this fall you had a chance to meet the current GOALs participants. Now let’s take you back to where it all started…with our first cohort!

Mckenzie Mahler 

Mckenzie brought insight to our group meetings through her knowledge and previous experience with Ganister Station Adult Day Services. She is currently a junior studying Agricultural and Extension Education at Penn State #psuaged24, and enjoyed her time spent at the World Food Prize in 2021. As part of her assignment as a GOALs student, she was able to teach sessions about Global Agriculture in Montana with her immersion partner Krista. Advice that Mckenzie has for future GOALs participants is that they should take advantage of all the opportunities that they might have to make connections during this experience. Mckenzie shared that throughout her time in the GOALs program, she was able to connect with experienced educators as well as faculty from other universities and disciplines. She hopes that future participants value these rare opportunities to take part in amazing networking.

Grace Shawver 

Grace is our next member of GOALs Cohort 1 as we look back to #FoodPrize21. She is currently a senior at Penn State majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education, preparing to start her student teaching experience in January. For her immersion, she traveled to North Carolina to teach about Global Agriculture. Grace was able to apply what she learned as a GOALs participant in 2021 as a Senior Intern for the World Food Prize Foundation Global Guides at #FoodPrize22. 

Lauren Hoffman

Welcome Ms. Lauren Hoffman, another member of the first Cohort of GOALs. She is a part of the #psuaged25 cohort, joining the major of Agricultural and Extension Education as a Sophomore this year. Lauren took the methods and information she learned at the World Food Prize and took a leap, the whole way to Idaho for her immersion! Lauren shared that this was such an impactful experience, especially as a freshman.

Ambar Robalino

As a member of the #psuaged23 cohort, you can find Ambar preparing for her upcoming student teaching internship in spring of 2023.  Participating in the first cohort of the GOALS program provided Ambar with valuable skills and experience that she will use at her student teaching placement in Brockway, PA.  Ambar completed her immersion trip in Tennessee with her partner Nicolette. Ambar shared that her experience with GOALs taught her about the need for classroom management and how high schoolers can be very unpredictable. Ambar will use these skills at Brockway in the spring to make the most of her 15-week internship.

Celia Graef 

Celia is a member of the #psuaged24 cohort, majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education. Celia brings a unique perspective to the table, as she has chosen to pursue the environmental option of the major. Celia took what she learned at the 2021 World Food Prize and used it to instruct her students at her North Carolina immersion in the spring of 2021 with Grace. Two takeaways that Celia has shared are the ability to adapt her lesson, be it from a premade lesson plan, or adapting during the school day after teaching it the first time.

Nicolette Cusate 

Next let’s meet Nicolette, better known as “Nickie,” to the rest of her fellow members of the #psuaged23 cohort, as our next member of GOALs Cohort 1. Nickie traveled with Ambar to Tennessee for her immersion, to the Smoky Mountains! The immersion helped in preparing her for her student teaching experience coming in the Spring of 2023.

Krista Mathias 

Finally, Krista is our last PSU GOALs participant from Cohort 1. She is a senior majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education and is a part of the #psuaged23 cohort. Krista was able to take a lot away from the programing of GOALs at the World Food Prize and applied it to her classroom immersion in Montana with her partner Mckenzie. Krista is excited to share her amazing travel experiences with her students at Pequea Valley. 

Are you interested in being a member of Cohort 3? Applications and more details will be coming soon! Be proactive and check our website for a link to apply! https://globalteachagnetwork.psu.edu/goals-program/

AEE November Student of the Month: Krista Mathias

 Agricultural and Extension Education November Student of the Month

Krista Mathias

    The Center for Professional Personnel Development recognizes students that have outstanding achievements both academically and with extra-curricular activities and involvement. We are excited to announce that Krista Mathias is the November 2022 Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month! Krista's Hometown is Mercer PA and she attended high school at Mercer Area Jr/Sr High School.
 
    Krista went to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and studied Biology Education there for 2 years. She then transferred to PSU in 2021 to major in Agricultural and Extension Education and "has been abundantly blessed with this decision. Though I'm a little behind from transferring halfway through my degree, this has been one of the best decisions I have ever made".
 

    Krista will graduate in the Fall of 2023 with a bachelor's in Agricultural and Extension Education. Her future plans are to become a high school ag teacher. When we asked her why she chose Penn State she responded: "Penn State offered me the best chance to achieve my dream of becoming an ag teacher. In November 2020, one of the most influential mentors I know told me that she was surprised that I wasn't studying agricultural education at Penn State... so of course, I transferred! I like to say that I am where I'm at today because of cows and a woman named Darla."

 
    During her time at Penn State, her favorite PSU Class was AEE 349. The class AEE 349 is "Shop Processes for Agricultural Educators". She is involved in many Penn State clubs and jobs: Dairy Barns Student Resident Employee, Teach Ag! Avenger, showing member on the Penn State Western Equestrian Team, Dairy Science Club, PSU FFA Alumni, and Supporters. Her favorite Sports Team is the Penn State Nittany Lions. Her Favorite Hang-out on Campus is ASI 2^nd floor or Ferguson 214. Her favorite place to eat in State College is "The Plaza".

Krista and classmates during AEE 350 class

    She had an internship at Mercer County Extension Office and 4-H Program, in 2022. Her hobbies include "Showing horses with the PSU western team, taking my horse Chex to little jackpot barrel races, juggling, attempting to ride my unicycle, and cracking jokes".

    Krista's 4-H/FFA Background is: "None! I did not go to a high school that had FFA and was not involved in 4-H. I did compete in youth rodeos in high school, but I never did in 4-H."
 
    "I love the dairy industry. This was the industry that sparked my love for agriculture and is one of the reasons I am at Penn State today. The dairy industry was a huge part of my childhood growing up. When I turned 16 and got my first truck, I started milking cows at the largest dairy in my county. We milk 500 Jersey cows, and the Jerseys quickly became my favorite cattle breed."
 
    Krista's favorite quote is "Find out who you are. And do it on purpose" - Dolly Parton. "One interesting thing about me is that I bring my juggling balls with me everywhere I travel. I have juggled in 26 different states!"
 

Krista with Pequea Valley students at Nationals

    Krista will be student teaching at Pequea Valley High School with Mrs. VanSant. When asked what she is most excited about during student teaching, she responded "Creating connections with students and encouraging them to be the best that they can be. I want them to know that they have endless possibilities and that they matter. I also want to encourage them to never stop learning and share my passion for agriculture."
 
    During her student teaching, she will teach Veterinary Science, Introduction to Agricultural Mechanics, Small Animal Science, Biological Studies in Agricultural Sciences, and Middle School Environment and Natural Resources.
 

Follow her journey on Twitter and Instagram

Twitter: krista_mathias   

Instagram: kristamathias

Sara Lichty

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural Sciences

Class of 2023

Introducing this Year's GOALs Cohort from the University of Idaho

 

For the second year in a row, Penn State is partnering with the Global Teach Ag Network, the University of Idaho, and the World Food Prize foundation to bring us GOALs, a food security education program built for preservice educators. Today we will be introducing this year’s GOALs cohort members from Idaho. 

Kirsten Gilbert

The first member of cohort number two that we are highlighting today is Kirsten Gilbert. She is a sophomore in the agricultural education program at the University of Idaho. Kirsten has experience in both 4-H and FFA, showing market lambs and goats. She is excited to gain knowledge in both global agriculture and teaching strategy.

 

Tanner Anderson

Let’s welcome Tanner Anderson to the second cohort of the GOALS program. He is a pre-service agriculture educator at the University of Idaho. Tanner is a junior and has a passion for agriculture that began in Garfield, WA on his family farm. He hopes that this experience will be a way for him to highlight the fantastic opportunities that the agriculture industry has to offer.

 

Cassie Moody

Say hello to Cassie Moody, our next pre-service agriculture educator to meet. She is a second-year student at the University of Idaho majoring in Agricultural & Extension Education! Cassie is excited to learn more about agriculture on a global scale through her GOALs experience, as well as connecting with other great agriculturists. 

 

Welcome, Shaylyn Young, a member of this year’s #WFPFGOALS program. She is a pre-service agriculture educator in her junior year at the University of Idaho. Her favorite topics are the dairy industry and food labeling. She is also able to serve her community as a resident assistant which gives her a unique perspective of working with students. 

Shaylyn Young

Welcoming, Courtney Marshall, our next member of this year’s #WFPFGOALS cohort. She is a pre-service agriculture educator in her Junior year at the University of Idaho majoring in Agricultural & Extension Education! She is originally from Eagle, Idaho and looking forward to participating in GOALs. 

 

Courtney Marshall

A big welcome to Makenna DeWitt, our next member to introduce of this year’s #WFPFGOALS cohort. She is double majoring in Agricultural Education and Agricultural Business at the University of Idaho. She is looking forward to building a knowledge base that will help her future students better understand Global Agriculture.

Makenna DeWitt

 

Welcome Sophia Cori, a member of this year’s #WFPFGOALS program. She is a pre-service agricultural educator at the University of Idaho, and she brings amazing experiences to share with the cohort. Sophia is an officer of the Student Idaho Cattle Association, giving her knowledge of advancements in animal agriculture and current beef industry issues.

Sophia Cori

 

Say hello to Jacob Falk, a member of this year’s #WFPFGOALS program. He is a pre-service agricultural educator at the University of Idaho. He is also a cowhand for Beef Northwest in Oregon and brings his passion for the outdoors to share with the cohort. 

Jacob Falk

 

Say a big welcome Cassie Morey. She is our next member to highlight of this year’s #WFPFGOALS program. She is a pre-service agricultural educator at University of Idaho majoring in Agricultural & Extension Education! She is excited to interact with her peers in Iowa in October. 

Cassie Morey

 

Introducing Kennedy Cox, the last highlight of this year’s #WFPFGOALS program. She is a junior pre-service agricultural educator at the University of Idaho majoring in Agricultural & Extension Education! She is from Walla Walla, Washington, and is currently serving as Washington’s Miss Agriculture USA. Bring these programs together will allow for Kennedy to make a difference in the agricultural industry.

Kennedy Cox

 

Now that we have met the whole #WFPFGOALS cohort, we are ready to travel to the World Food Prize! Are you interested in participating in this program? Learn more about the program at https://globalteachagnetwork.psu.edu/goals-program/.

Introducing this Year's GOALs Cohort from Penn State

GOALS, also known as the Global Orientation to Agricultural Learning, is a project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This project involves the partnering of many organizations including the Global Teach Ag Network, the University of Idaho, Penn State, and the World Food Prize Foundation. 

This program gives preservice educators a unique opportunity to spend 9 months learning about food security education with the intention of sharing this information in classrooms across the country during their Spring Immersion Experience.

Brandon Bixler

Today we are excited to be introducing the second cohort of the GOALS program that are coming from Penn State University. This year, there are a total of 19 preservice agricultural educators who will travel to Iowa for the World Food Prize where they will network with the nation’s biggest names in agriculture and food security. Join us in celebrating what each of them brings to this program.

The first cohort member to introduce is Brandon Bixler. He is a pre-service agricultural educator at Penn State. Brandon is also an intern for the Global Teach Ag Network where he helps with a variety of aspects of the Global Learning in Ag community. 

Emily Jay

Next, we will learn a little bit about Emily Jay. She has just transferred to Penn State and is a junior majoring in agricultural and extension education.  She is looking forward to the connections she will make as an active member of the GOALS program this year.

Noah Phillips

    Noah Phillips is the next cohort member we will meet. He is a pre-

service agricultural educator at Penn State University. Noah is also in the third year of his college career and looks forward to drawing on his previous knowledge through his 10 years of being involved in                                              4-H in the classroom. 

Cheyenne Bastian-Brown

A big welcome to Cheyenne Bastian-Brown. She is a sophomore in the pre-service agriculture education program at Penn State University. Cheyenne brings so much to the table as a GOALs participant. She is an intern with the Global Teach Ag Network and serves university organizations like Delta Theta Sigma, the Penn State Dairy Science Club and many more. 

Introducing Paige Rohrbach, a member of this year’s #WFPFGOALS program. She is a pre-service agriculture educator at the Penn State University. Paige is a junior in the major and brings her experience through her university involvement in the PSU FFA Alumni and Supporters chapter                                          and Delta Theta Sigma to the GOALs cohort this year. 

Paige Rohrbach

Connor Gross

Introducing Connor Gross, a member of this year’s #WFPFGOALS program. Connor is a third-year student majoring in Veterinary and Biomedical Science at the Penn State University. His career goal is to become a small-animal veterinarian and own his own practice. Connor’s experiences in the Penn State Blue Band, Delta Theta Sigma, and the local veterinary hospital will bring a unique perspective to the cohort. 

Say hello to Marissa McPeak-Kennedy, she is our next member of this year’s #WFPFGOALS program to highlight. She is a pre-service agricultural educator at the Penn State University. The GOALs program will incorporate her love for traveling out of the country and being immersed into different cultures.  

Marissa McPeak-Kennedy

Welcoming Seanna Geiger, our next member of the #WFPFGOALS program to put the spotlight on. She is a pre-service agriculture educator in her third year at the Penn State University. She is excited to bring her experience from being a member of the Athens FFA Alumni to the cohort. 

Sean Geiger

Introducing Lily Schoenman, a member of this year’s #WFPFGOALS program. She is a sophomore in the pre-service agricultural educator program at Penn State University. She is an active member of the University’s Student Farm Club where she has been able to impact local food security by volunteering at events and traveling to work and learn with the club. 

Lily Schoenman

    Now, this is just half of the #WFPFGOALS cohort, so we aren’t quite ready to travel to the World Food Prize. Meet our friends from the University of Idaho in our next blog! Are you interested in participating in this program? Learn more about the program at https://globalteachagnetwork.psu.edu/goals-program/.