January 2022 Student of the Month for Agricultural and Extension Education: Adalyn Reed

 To start off the New Year and Spring semester the Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize Adalyn Reed of Derry, Pennsylvania as the January Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month for 2022! Adalyn is currently a senior student majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education with plans of entering the classroom as an Agricultural Educator. Her passion for agriculture was sparked at a young age, Adalyn shares, "My family has always been rooted in agriculture, and I was ultimately inspired to be actively involved in FFA because of the influence of my father. He served as the PA State Vice President in 1976-1977, and always instilled the values of hard work and responsibility when I raised my market animals. My agriculture education teachers in high school, Mr. Roy Campbell, and Mrs. Carly-Jean Rippole encouraged me to turn my passion for agriculture into a career."

In her youth, Adalyn was actively involved in 4-H where she did a variety of activities throughout her community and state. "I have always been involved in the agricultural community and grew up attending 4-H meetings as a Clover Bug when my siblings were members. Once I was old enough to be a 4-H member, I exhibited many projects including market lambs, pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits, and floral arrangements to the Derry Township Agricultural Fair, Westmoreland Fair, and Pennsylvania Farm Show over 10 years. I held multiple officer positions in the Blue Ribbon Ag. Club, and got the opportunity to participate in cultural exchanges as part of the Travel- All Club. Additionally, I was a member of Westmoreland Squares, and participated in the square dancing competition at Farm Show for a few years." Throughout Adalyn's involvement in 4-H, she continued to gain experiences that were valuable as she pursues her education and career. This involvement continued in high school through her journey in FFA.

"My involvement in Derry FFA began in 9th Grade when I took my first Ag class at my high school and was elected 9th Grade Representative. This role allowed me to begin my leadership experiences within the organization, which led me to become chapter Chaplain, Vice President, and President. My SAE project was an owner/entrepreneurship for market lambs and pigs. I competed in various CDE and LDE events including Creed Speaking, Livestock Judging, and Floriculture." The leadership skills Adalyn gained from her FFA experiences have served her well in her college journey.

Adalyn began her Penn State journey at Penn State Altoona which helped her to transition to college from a small high school. She mentioned the benefit of having smaller class sizes for her first two years while at Altoona. While she was there, she was a member of the Altoona Benefiting THON and Ag Club. When she arrived at University Park, Adalyn was involved with LEAD Society and spent a summer working at the Penn State Beef and Sheep Center. Her favorite Penn State class was Agriculture Mechanics (AEE 349/350) with Dr. Ewing. She shares "I really enjoyed these courses because I was able to expand my knowledge on various applications (welding, electrical, plumbing, woodworking, and concrete/masonry) of agriculture mechanics that I didn’t have much experience with before college. I now feel more confident working in the shop, and look forward to applying what I learned in these courses to my student teaching experience."

This Spring semester Adalyn will be student teaching at West Greene High School in Rogersville, Pennsylvania with her cooperating teacher Mrs. Karlie Wright. Adalyn stated that she is most excited to work with the students and help them grow their interests in agriculture, along with attending various FFA events and assisting as a chapter FFA Advisor. She hopes to continue to grow her time management skills, and connect with industry professionals in the local agricultural community.

One interesting thing about Adalyn is that she is the youngest of ten siblings and the fourth to pursue a career in education. One piece of advice Adalyn wanted to share with underclassmen is to "Get involved with the campus community, and spend time making connections with your cohort members, as well as current agriculture teachers. These are all people that will be more than willing to help you in times of need." To follow Adalyn's Teach Ag journey be sure to keep up with her social media on Twitter and Instagram @AdalynReed1. We are so excited to see where Adalyn goes in the future! Congratulations again on being the January Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month.

Morgan Bear

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2023