An Adventure to New England: The 2014 Big E Trip!

On September 12th, six Collegiate FFA students traveled to Springfield, Massachusetts with Dr. Ewing to help out at the Eastern State Exhibition, better known as the Big E! After arriving in
Springfield after the 7 hour van ride early Friday morning, the Penn State students had the chance to work with two different CDE's (Career Development Events).

Janae Herr (@kjherr17), Janae Bickhart (@janaebickhart) and Laura Metrick (@its_laurabeth) had the opportunity to judge the Extemporaneous Public Speaking CDE. There were eight competitors from 8 different states competing this year. The competitors had 30 minutes to prepare a 4-6 minute speech on a topic they chose at random.

Kate Bassett (@bassklynn), Amanda Forstater (@cityaggie) and Mikaela Hermstedt (twitterlessMikaela) along with Dr. Ewing (@jce122), helped out at the Vet Skills CDE on Friday as well. The purpose of this CDE is to demonstrate student knowledge and abilities in the small animal care field. This includes information and skills used in a veterinary hospital, laboratory facility or pet shop/grooming facility. Amanda Forstater said "Working in the skills demonstration part of the contest gave me the chance to work one-on-one with the students and see what they knew! I had a great time and I am really excited to possibly coach my own Vet Skills team during my student teaching!"

FFA members participating in the Poultry
Evaluation CDE

On Saturday, the Penn State students helped out with the Poultry Evaluation and Environmental and
Natural Resources CDE's. In the Poultry CDE, students worked as an individual and a team to complete many tasks. Some of the stations included judging live hens, eggs and processed poultry products. Janae Herr was one of the students that served as a group leader this year. She stated"I love the opportunity to watch students get a little competitive while applying the skills they learned in the classroom to industry practices. It was great to see all of their hard work paying off!"

The environmental and Natural Resources CDE is designed to prepare students to enter careers in the environmental and natural resources industry. Students also competed as both an individual and a team in this event. The competitors go through many activities and practicums environmental and natural resource scenarios.

Penn State CFFA Members: Amanda, Kate, Mikaela, Laura, Janae B.  and Janae H. 

On Saturday evening the Penn State Crew attended the annual CDE awards banquet. Individual and team awards were given out for each of the Career Developments that took place that weekend along with the sweepstakes award that is given to the state that does the best overall throughout all events. This year it went to Ohio! National FFA Officer, Jason Wetzler, was there to give a speech as well!

The 2014 Big E Trip was a great way for Penn State students to see how the CDE's work on a different level, represent Penn State and of course get to know each other better on that seven hour van ride!

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!

Laura Metrick 
@Its_LauraBeth
Student Blogger
2015 Student Teacher

#psuaged15 member, Kate Bassett, Completes Mission in Lithuania

After a trip to South Korea with the Penn State Agriculture Education program, Kate Bassett (@klb5684) was begging for another chance to travel abroad. When the Army presented her with the opportunity to travel to Lithuania she had not doubts that she was willing to go. Kate, a 2015 student teacher, worked with an Army program called CULP (Cultural Understanding and Language Program) which sends cadets all over the world to conduct various missions. Kate was paid for her work in Lithuania and got the chance to get her feet wet working with the military branch she hopes to join after graduation.

2015 Student Teacher
Kate Bassett

While abroad, Kate got to put her agriculture education skills to work when she spent a week at the Military Academy of Lithuania teaching senior NCO’s and officers. Along with teaching, she was involved in a field training exercise with Lithuanian and American forces and did many community service activities. One of the projects was a carnival for a local orphanage and another was a camp for at risk children. For two weeks, Kate worked at the US Embassy completing financial records for the entire Lithuanian mission. Through CULP, many different teams were sent to Lithuania and Kate worked on compiling records from all of them as well as shadowing the mission commander.

The greatest take away for Kate was the value of simple face to face communication and constant interaction with the local people.  She stated “I learned so much about the people of Lithuania and their culture because they loved sharing it with me and I got to communicate with them on a daily basis” She also said that it was exciting to see how interested they were in learning. She continued “They were not interested in just sitting in the classroom, I had to use all the skills I had learned through Ag Ed to keep them excited and motivated.”

Kate and another cadet trying 'Kefir' for
the first while on her trip to Lithuania. 

During her two month visit in Lithuania Kate had the opportunity to learn about many things about the people and the agriculture. Due to her interest in agriculture Kate unintentionally but naturally gravitated toward people with similar interests. She spent time talking with farmers and local students about their practices and even agricultural research.

Kate recommends that any student, especially Agriculture Education majors participate whatever type of abroad experience they can get. She said“I believe that everyone should have at least one trip outside of the US. It opens your eyes to new perspectives and new possibilities.”

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!

Laura Metrick
2015 Student Teacher
@Its_LauraBeth

Alpha Tau Alpha Welcomes New Members

2013 Initiation of New Members into ATA

Twelve students were initiated into the Eta Chapter of Alpha Tau Alpha on Tuesday, November 19th. Alpha Tau Alpha is a national, professional, honorary, agricultural society. It is founded upon the development of true professional spirit and grown in agriculture.

The 2013 Alpha Tau Alpha initiates.
(Back Row) Kate Bassett, Morgan Campbell, Amanda Forstater,
Katherine Andrews, Janae Van Buskirk & Toby Neal.
(Front Row) Jillian Gordon, Jena Shaffer, Laura Metrick,
Bryanna Kenno and Deanna Miller.

The initiation ceremony took place in the Ferguson building at Universtiy Park. It was led by current members of ATA and Advisor Daniel Foster.  New initiate and 2015 Student Teacher, Janae VanBuskirk stated “I am excited to begin this new experience. I have ever been involved in an organization like this. It is nice to be recognized as students who work hard for their grades. I think all of the initiates are excited to grow out professionally and to ultimately make new friends with the same goals!”

The society was founded in 1921 and the Eta Chapter was organized at Penn State in 1931. The organization strives to promote the high standards and ideals in agricultural and extension education and to promote the bond between individuals in and those that have interest in the world of agriculture and extension education.

 2014 Student Teachers helping with the ATA initiation ceremony.

Another 2015 Student Teacher and ATA Initiate Morgan Campbell said “Becoming an ATA member is an exciting and rewarding accomplishment. I am proud to be a member of an organization that represents the professionalism and camaraderie of agriculture educators!”

The twelve students who have just joined the Eta Chapter of Alpha Tau Alpha will enjoy the fellowship of individuals in an atmosphere of high scholarship that is dedicated to teaching, and who have a sincere desire to be a leader in agricultural education. The Students are; Katherine Andrews, Kate Bassett, Morgan Campbell, Amanda Forstater, Jillian Gordon, Megan Keller, Bryanna Keno, Laura Metrick, Deanna Miller, Toby Neal, Jena Shaffer and Janae VanBuskirk  


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!



Laura Metrick 
Student Blogger
2015 Student Teacher
Twitter: @Its_LauraBeth

What is Agricultural Education?

The most commonly heard phrase when walking on the campus of Penn State University,  watching a Nittany Lion football game or attending the graduation ceremonies are the words We Are! The slogan which has become a trademark of the University has been around since 1948. Over the years it has been used in many ways and for many different occasions but is always brought back to the phrase We Are Penn State!

Ever since I was a little girl, this phrase is one that I have known well. Having a die hard Penn State family I knew from the time I could talk that when someone yells We Are, you yell back Penn State! However now that I am a student at Penn State I have began thinking of this phrase in a different way. My major has become the core focus of my time and got me thinking what is Agriculture and Extension Education? What are we?

When most people think of the word agriculture the first and sometimes only thing that comes to mind is farming. And when you hear the word education, you think of a teacher. So to most people the Ag. Ed. major is basically teaching about farming. However, its so very much more than that. 

In an agriculture classroom the things learned and the experiences the students have are ones they will carry with them for a lifetime.  Agriculture education is designed to provide students with competencies to make them aware of and prepared for the world of work. It teaches them skills in public speaking, teamwork, finances, plant and animal science, small engines, community service, leadership and so many more. It provides skills students can transfer from the classroom setting to their careers and instruction that will engage students in the globalization of agriculture as the solution for environmental demands, food safety, technology, natural resource protection, and urbanization. Agriculture Education is more than teaching students about farming. It is about educating them, being a positive agent of change and giving them the knowledge to be successful.

This video by Agriculture and Extension Education majors Morgan Campbell, Kate Bassett and Quinn Cashell does excellent job of explaining just what an Agriculture Educator does!

So what is Agriculture and Extension Education? What are we?

We are Educators.

We are Changing Lives.

We are Making a Difference.

WE ARE PENN STATE!

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!

Laura Metrick

2015 Student Teacher 

@Its_LauraBeth

Endurance. Knowledge. Leadership - AEE Major plays pivotal role in National Champion ROTC Team

Penn State ROTC Sandhurst Team with AEE Major Kate Bassett at the Award Cermoney.  Endurance.  Knowledge.  Leadership.  These three components can describe a wide variety of things in this world- Agricultural Education, FFA, sports,or THE MILITARY.  One AEE Major, Kate Bassett (2015 Teacher Candidate) found out first hand how they applied an international military skills competition – Sandhurst.  Kate has been at University Park for the past two years and in that time she has participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corps(ROTC) and served as the female representative on the Penn State Sandhurst Team. Penn State ROTC is the number 1 team in the nation and the number 2 team in the world! The 2nd overall placing set a record as No ROTC school has ever placed that high in Sandhurst history! Growing up on a small family farm showing Percheron horses, Kate is evidence that farm kids can go anywhere and achieve anything they set their mind to. The goals of the competition are to develop leaders and international relationships. In order for a ROTC school to compete, they have to first win their Brigade Ranger Challenge in the fall. There are a total of 8 brigades in the country and 8 ROTC schools compete. The 10 international teams that competed this year included two from the UK and one from China, Chile, Brazil, Qatar, Australia, Germany, South Korea, and Canada.

Kate Bassett and her team putting on their proper gas masks

What’s involved?? Out of the members who competed in the Ranger Challenge, only 9 can go on to the Sandhurst; companies have to try out against each other to see who can attend. After the team is selected they train each morning from 5:30-7:00 a.m! Sometimes they even have to meet at 5 a.m! They also have two, two hour labs every week dedicated to training for the competition. 

The team does lots of physical training, but they also train for a variety of skills which include: military equipment identification, rope bridge construction, throwing grenades, proper pro-mask (gas masks) assembly and running/ completing tasks with them on, 5 different weapon systems assembly/disassembly, obstacle completion, marksmanship, TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care), land navigation and much more. In addition to all that training during the week, they also have a field training exercise that is 16 hours on a Saturday.  Above and beyond their practice during the week, they also like to enjoy weekend runs as a team. Furthermore they are expected to work out on their own in addition to the morning training – this will help build and maintain physical endurance.

Kate Bassett, 2015 AEE Major and her team running to the finish line

Competition Day.  Friday’s competition during the Sandhurst included approximately a 9 mile course that had checkpoints along a designated route. One of the checkpoints was marksmanship and another was a two hours time slot for land navigation up and down very steep and rocky terrain. Friday took 5 hours for one team, from start to finish on the course.. Saturday was about a 7-8 mile course with 18 different stations that each had a separate task. For example one was scaling a 10 foot wall while the rest were the tasks they had trained for. More information about Sandhurst can be found here.

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! 

Jeanne Case

Student Blogger

2014 Dover HS Student Teacher  

Twitter: @JRose_Case