4 Interns, 1 Summer, 1 Pennsylvania Farm Bureau! #internship #pfb

When summer comes around, college students have the opportunity to get summer jobs and potentially work at internships. This summer I have had the opportunity to work alongside three of my colleagues at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. We all are Penn Stater’s in the Agriculture Extension and Education Major! Below is an outline of what each of us do in our areas.
 
Katie Andrews (@klandrews_24)-
 

Katie Andrews 2016 Student Teacher

This summer I have had the opportunity to be the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation's intern! I heard about the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau at the career fair and also read about it on this blog when Jeanne Case was the intern last year! This opportunity has provided opportunities to learn about a different part of agricultural education in another type of atmosphere. 

I come from a background in farming so my family supported me when I received the job! They, as well as I, believe in what PFB has to offer all agriculturists. Since I am working with educationally focused projects within the Foundation I am able to see a different educational operation involving something I am truly passionate about. Another benefit of working within a professional setting is not only gaining transferable skills but growing my personal network.Some of the events that I have worked with this summer are National Teach Ag in Classroom Conference and the Annual Golf Outing, which were both held in Hershey, PA. The projects I have been focusing on developing this summer are two extension sheets for the new traveling Mobile Ag lab lessons, developing a project for Ag Progress Days and, in conjunction with my fellow interns, the FACE conference! This internship provides me with new perspectives, skills, and relationships that has made my summer of 2014 extremely worthwhile.

 
Matt Reutlinger (@mreutlinger) -

My journey with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau began four years ago, while I was serving as a Pennsylvania FFA State Officer. Through my year of service, I had a few key opportunities (Farm Show, Penn State Ag Progress Days, etc.) to work with the dedicated staff and members of the Farm Bureau. At the time, I thought the only way to advance agricultural issues was through the classroom and FFA. In hind sight, I see several key decisions and interactions, that brought me to where I am today with the Farm Bureau.

Matt Reutlinger 2015 Student Teacher

Within the agriculture industry there is a small niche of people who are the agricultural education clan. I’m proud to be a part of the agricultural education clan, and the people who are there with me are phenomenal! One person, Jeanne Case, really encouraged me to pursue the opportunities here with Farm Bureau; after she had enjoyed her experience as one of the 2013 Summer Interns. She told me about the great staff and the challenging experiences I would have here at the Farm Bureau. I wasn’t initially sold. I had spent the last four years of my life in a classroom and workshop setting, so a transition to the “other side” of businesses, policy and industry seemed daunting. My mentors and friends urged me to take the plunge. How could I know that I belonged in a classroom without seeing the “other side” and understanding its purpose?

So I applied, and was blessed with the opportunity to serve the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau as one of the two interns for the Government and Communications Department. My time here has been filled with a lot of learning. I drove head first into the mission and goals of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. The staff here is truly dedicated to providing a genuine service to the members of the organization, who employs them. This time on the other “other side” has given me a sincere appreciation for the time, talent and resources it takes to make our industry prosper in the field, classroom, or on Capitol Hill.

Sarabeth Royer (@sb_royer)-

Sarabeth Royer 2016 Student Teacher

I first heard about this internship through being involved in FFA. I had the opportunity to come visit the Camp Hill office and learn more about what Pennsylvania Farm Bureau does. Coming from a Dairy and Poultry farm, my whole family knows about PFB, but I never realized the scope of their involvement and influence throughout agriculture, Pennsylvania, and all over the United States.

PA Farm Bureau not only has incredible member benefits and services, many of which my family uses, but they also advocate for agriculture. Whether it be to government officials and policymakers, or explaining agriculture to the general public, PFB is on the front lines helping to tell our story.

 As a minority, we agriculturists need to work together to better tell our story. This is what attracted me the most to the PA Farm Bureau internship, the fact that this grassroots organization is truly helping advocate for agriculture.

Because of my lack in experience in government and policy, I was at first a bit nervous to be interning in the Government Affairs and Communication Division. However, this has truly been an incredible experience for me to learn more about policy, law, lobbying, and advocacy. As the average consumer and policymaker become even further removed from the family farm, it is even more important to have strong voices speaking up for agriculture.

I am thoroughly enjoying my internship at PFB, and strongly encourage other students to apply for next summer.

Olivia Murphy-Sweet (@OSweetMurph)-

Olivia Murphy-Sweet 2016 Student Teacher

I never knew that much about the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau until I actually started this internship. I knew little things here and there but never the entire story. When I came to PFB, I quickly learned what an awesome organization it truly is and what it has to offer for farmers and non-farmers.

I work in the Member Relations side of the office. My main responsibilities are to work on social media content, organize paperwork and activities for the FACE conference, help send out flyers for events, and so much more! The FACE conference was actually an opportunity for me to help design and organize an event where 50 students throughout PA could come and learn about the legislative process. The week was a long one, but everything went well and the students learned a lot!

Overall this job has made me work on my organization skills and work on my professional development which I know I can use for the future in or out of the classroom. I hope that others can apply to see what this job can do for you!

__________________________________________________________

I hope that by seeing this you can understand what an amazing experience that this has been for everyone and that you apply in the future. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has a booth at the Career fair in the fall so make sure you keep an eye out and talk to one of the representatives there!

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! 

 Olivia Murphy-Sweet
Student Blogger
Teach Ag! Avenger
Twitter Handle- @OSweetMurph
2016 Agricultural Education Student Teacher

2015 Student Teachers and Ag. Ed. Majors Travel the Nation Inspiring Student Success

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Jillian Gordon and Matthew Reutlinger, 2015 PSU Student Teachers (#psuaged15) were chosen to visit many states and facilitate conferences for hundreds of youth throughout the year. The 212 Conference, which Jillian and Matt are a part of, is one of the seven conferences put on by National FFA.

Matthew Reutlinger and Jillian Gordon have been travelling to many states
facilitating conferences for the National FFA program.

The conference is called 212 because that is the temperature at which water boils. This conference focuses on taking students to the boiling point of leadership. It also focuses on student development and challenges students to push the limits. This year's conferences have been utilizing the Growth curriculum. This curriculum is designed to engage students through sessions about their personal growth. Students tackle questions, share success stories, and ultimately identify a mentor to help them with continued growth.

Matthew Reutlinger, 2015 Student Teacher

Matt and Jill typically facilitate to a group of about 180-200 high school students. Most of the conferences last two days and they highlight personal, mental, emotional, physical, social and lifelong growth. Matt (@mreutlinger) stated “We try to make each session as high energy as we can because students and sponsors have given a lot to make these conferences happen. It is Jillian and my responsibility to make sure they get the most for it.”

Jillian Gordon, 2015 Student Teacher

Matt and Jill have been facilitating many workshops, events and conferences for about 3 years. With the 212 program they have traveled to Wisconsin, New Jersey, Ohio and Illinois and have upcoming trips to North Dakota and North Carolina. Jillian (@jillianpsu) said “My favorite part about the 212 conference is getting to know how students learn and engage different every place we go. There really is a difference in personalities and it’s fun to figure out how we need to modify our curriculum or teaching style for those students."

For more information on the FFA 212 conference and other opportunities through the National FFA program visit www.ffa.org/events.

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
@Its_LauraBeth

2013 Ag Ed Summit: Let's get out there and make some teachers!

On January 30^th and 31^st, Agricultural teachers from across the United States gathered together in Indianapolis, Indiana for the 2013 Agricultural Education Summit.  This year teachers were focused on the theme of “Recruitment and Retention of Teachers for School-Based Agricultural Education".  How do we get more people to pursue a career in agricultural education?  How do we keep them there?   

Matt Reutlinger represents 
Penn State on panel discussion

The Pennsylvania State University was represented by both Matt Reutlinger (Penn State Teach Ag! Avenger, 2015 Student Teacher) and Dr. Daniel Foster (Assistant Professor of AEE).  They had the opportunity to share their thoughts on the issues.  Matt started off by stating, “We all understand that recruitment is important because it ensures the future generation of teachers and also the future generation of stakeholders in agricultural education.”  In his comments he shared to the importance of encouraging young people inside and outside of the classroom.  

“We need those people to go out into the classrooms and clubs and say, ‘You are going to be an agricultural educator!  You may not know it yet but I will teach you how.” - Matt R. 

Dr. Foster spoke on Thursday and shared how Penn State is preparing our future teachers for a career in agricultural education.  He emphasized the importance of having a supportive family atmosphere with student teachers, current teachers, and organizations (PAAE, FFA, FFA Alumni).  An important point of his presentation was that our students can be the best advocates we need for agricultural education.  The students are the ones with incredible stories and experiences to share with those potential agricultural education majors.  Our students put in a lot of work and energy into becoming the best they can be so it is important that we prepare, support, and assist them in the field they are going into.  It takes a dedicated and motivated individual to do what agricultural educators do everyday.  "If it was easy anyone would do it!"  Towards the end of his comments he challenged the summit to always be asking the question "What if...".  What if we could ensure every graduating student has a job lined up?  What if we could double our AEE enrollment?  

Dr. Foster shares innovative ideas
and thoughts with Summit.

"Our best recruiters are, and always will be, our students!" - Dr. Foster

There was plenty of discussion during the Summit.  From better recruitment to mentorship, and media involvement to universal teaching standards; there certainly is much to look forward to in the world of Ag Ed.  Be sure to check out the links below for more on the Summit and how you can be a better educator!  From all of the videos that I watched and great ideas I heard I am excited to be preparing to dive into this career!  If there was one tidbit I could say stuck with me the most, it would be this quote: "Take one idea and plus it!"  We have plenty of information and resources available to us.  It is time for us to take our ideas and make those dreams become a reality.  The reality  question is, how will you will you make your big idea happen?  Now go and do it!

Links:

2013 Ag Ed Summit Videos

The National Council for Agricultural Education

Teach Ag Campaign

Why Teachers Stay in the Classroom

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes 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 @TeachAgPSU, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PSUTeachAg.

By: Matthew Dodson, 

Student Blogger

2013 Teach Ag Avenger

2016 Student Teacher Candidate

2012-2013 Penn State TeachAg! Avengers

Congratulations to the 2012-2013 
Penn State Teach Ag Avengers!

(From left to right): Megan Slates, Caleb Wright, Jillian Gordon, Janae Herr, Matt Reutlinger, and Matt Dodson

Avengers??  No it is not just a movie!  This team of individuals are eager to represent the Agricultural and Extension Education major at Penn State.  What is their mission you may ask?  It may not be to protect the world from a race of alien invaders.  However, some would argue that it is still imperative to our future.  

THE MISSION:  

The mission of the Penn State Teach Ag Avengers is to cultivate awareness for agricultural and extension education.

Unfortunately, it appears that inn today's world the majority of people across the world have an unclear view of what agricultural and extension education really is all about.  Some individuals say, "They teach that in our schools?" or "What does that even mean?".  This must be changed if we are to educate society on the importance of agriculture in everyday life.  Who better to do it then 6 highly motivated Penn State students??  How do these Avengers hope to accomplish this mission?

THE VISION:

Through our passion as positive agents of change, Penn State Teach Ag Avengers will empower individuals through involvement in agricultural and extension education; inspiring them to discover their career potential to influence and participate in the future of agriculture.

Talk about a vision!  If you are a current AEE major, or you are interested in finding out what your future may look like as an agricultural educator, be sure to talk to these individuals to see how you can be a part of positive change for the future.  Discover your potential!

Caleb Wright, Junior, 2014 Teacher Candidate - cjw5251@psu.edu
Megan Slates, Junior, 2014 Teacher Candidate - mns5096@psu.edu
Matt Reutlinger, Sophomore, 2015 Teacher Candidate - mrr5297@psu.edu
Jillian Gordon, Sophomore, 2015 Teacher Candidate -  jag5750@psu.edu
Matt Dodson, Freshman, 2016 Teacher Candidate - mpd183@psu.edu
Janae Herr, Freshman, 2016 Teacher Candidate - kjh5370@psu.edu

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes 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 @TeachAgPSU, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PSUTeachAg.

By: Matthew Dodson, 

Student Blogger

2013 Teach Ag Avenger

2016 Student Teacher Candidate