I'll Take You For a Ride in my Big BLUE Tractor

This summer I have the opportunity to intern and be a member of a prominent agribusiness located in my hometown of Lancaster County, PA. New Holland Agriculture, which is a brand within Case New Holland Industry (CNH), has it's North American Headquarters campus located in the town of New Holland, PA. I am 1 among 19 interns located at the New Holland Campus, whom will be engaging in the internship program New Holland offers every year. 

New Holland is Celebrating their 120 Years

What has made my first two weeks exciting and welcoming have been the people, starting with my fellow interns. We each hail from universities and colleges all across North America and we embody a variety of majors consisting of engineering, marketing, business, agribusiness, and agriculture education as well as come from a diversity of previous agricultural experiences. From my first two weeks, I have already learned more from this group of interns through comparing and contrasting of my hometown and university to theirs then I have in combination of my past two interning experiences. Not only have they offered fun facts and information, but the four other interns that work in the same building as I do have all joined our buildings softball team for the summer. (Unfortunately we lost our first game) 

In addition to the interns, the employees of New Holland have exceeded all expectations. They made that first impression that professors continually teach us about, one that should be remembered. Having four straight days of meetings with all the directors and managers of our building was a lot, but collaboratively they set the stage for how the entire company functions and the atmosphere in which they work. Ever person we encountered was skilled, intelligent, dedicated, hardworking, progressive, and caring. They wanted each of the interns to experience and learn all they can this summer and they are willing to help out in any way to accomplish that. They were also interested in where we come from and what our goals were for the summer, which is refreshing and exciting as an intern to know they want us here as much as we want to be there. What ultimately blew my mind, was the career paths many of them took to be in their current positions within the company. Many worked within different departments requiring different skills and knowledge that they needed to be successful. This showed me the caliber of who I am privilege to work around all summer, in addition to the effectiveness of the company's structure, in they way they continually develop their employees skill sets and knowledge.

After four days I was able to return to my cubical housed in the Network Development (ND) Department where I will be working this summer. Talk about expectations being blown, what until you hear about this department! Most importantly I have felt nothing but comfortable around the employees within this department. They are open to having me ask questions, they continually greet me and engage in conversations with me, and include me in all their department meetings as well as invite me to attend all building meetings. Not only that, but they all are genuine during engagement. This is the atmosphere of New Holland in general though, which has made me excited to go to work each day. 

I have learned more in two weeks about this department then I have ever learned about anything. This is accredited to two factors. One being the people, particularly my manager, and the other being my project for the summer. Discussing my project will help you understand why my manager has been outstanding. My project for the summer is taking a manual previously developed in 2007 that outlines, describes, and provides understanding to the entire ND Department. My summer will be broken into two phases. The first phase is collecting information through research and interviews about the inner - workings of Network Development as well as the interrelatedness of other departments with ND. Phase two will be re-writing the manual. The purpose of the manual is to be able to give it to people who are new employees or need a detailed and thorough understanding of the workings of the ND Department. My manager has played the role of guiding me, by posing questions instead of telling me the answers and "how-to's" of the manual. This has allowed me to learn at an exponential rate but yet ensure my project is on track. In addition, he consistently reminds me of his open door policy to utilize his experience and knowledge of the department to bring concepts and information full circle.

Hopefully you can tell I am excited for the summer and what New Holland has in store for me. I have already been, and know I will be continually challenged throughout this summer. I am assured though I have been given all the support and resources I need to accomplish my task through the conversations and people I have met up to this point. 

Learning from the Wonders Within

The third annual Domestic Study Away Trip ventured down south to the hospitality state of Mississippi (MS). Our group of 15 Penn State Agriculture Educators set out to explore the role agriculture education plays within Mississippi's state at the high school, collegiate, extension, and business levels. With supervised agricultural experience (SAE) and financial literacy as our focal point, we were all hands on deck for a week of learning, teaching, and exploring. 

Our group of students who traveled

My preconceived notions of the culture and environment within Mississippi were along the lines of humid, rural, slower pace of life, dry, and thick southern accents.  As far as the agriculture went I believed I would see miles of fields of cotton, corn, and peanuts and a lot of grain operations. During the week I realized I was not far off with some of my perceptions but Mississippi come full circle for me as the days progressed. In other words...I was mind-blown by the agriculture, people, and communities we encountered. 

I consider myself a seasoned traveler by now, especially on the topics of airport policies, packing, and cultural barriers due to the eight countries I have visited and the multiple states I have explored. Due to this, I can say that Mississippi was a rare gem among the collection of places I have been. When told you are going to go learn about a a place's agriculture and culture for a week and that is your focus, it is hard not to feel a close connection because of the conscience awareness of absorbing everything you can. It is also hard not to be excited and thirsty to learn because of the sense of adventure mixed with a passion for agriculture. What continually astounds me though, from Arizona to Mississippi, is the majestic and hidden treasurers of people and places within each state. It is true that you do not need to go outside your home, weather that be county, state,  or country, to experience the beauty and uniqueness that surround us. 

View from the pier during an evening of reflections

With that being said, let's talk why the state of Mississippi was impacting in more ways then one. To learn all we did we traveled 1,400 miles across the state and had the opportunity to learn about 3 commodities that were unique to the south, catfish, peanuts, and cotton, visited and conversed with 6 agricultural education programs, in addition to being welcomed into several agribusinesses to pick the experts brains on the how's, why's, and what's of their businesses. The people who make the state of Mississippi what they are, were the reason for the success of our trip. Dr. Hock from Mississippi State University travelled with us all week and gave us opportunities we would not have had without her. Each school we visited had an open door policy to questions, exploration, and teaching their students SAE/financial literacy with our Pennsylvania flare. We explored MS's Farm Bureau, Extension & Research Campus (Largest in the country), CHS (sponsor of our trip), Beef and Cattlemen's Association, and many others who gave more then I felt we received. This statement is a testament to the humble, generous, and genuine people that we encountered consistently in Mississippi. Did I mention Mississippi is the hospitality state?

Our tour at CHS

Once again, returning to Pennsylvania was a good choice for my stomach and sleep schedule, but Mississippi left it's arms wide open for us to return to in any capacity. If you want to read the day by day blogs visit Teach Ag PSU Blogspot or follow the trip visually by visiting my Flickr account! A special thanks to our sponsors for the trip Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, UPAC, CHS, Center for Professional Personnel Development, and The Teach Ag! Society.

The back of our PSU Spaceship

Agricultural and EXTENSION Education

The extension part of an Agricultural and Extension Education major usually refers to the extension offices located within each county.  During the Summer of 2013 I was one of two interns working with Lancaster County 4-H Extension at the Farm and Home Center in Manheim, PA.  

    

 

There are a few important pieces of information you should know about the youth organization 4-H before I describe what I did as an intern. There are FOUR H's that stand for HANDS, HEART, HEAD, HEALTH which encompasses their pledge:

I pledge my my head to clearer thinking, 

my heart to greater loyalty, 

my hands to larger service, 

and my health to better living 

for my club, my community, my country, and my world

Their motto is:

To make the best better

These were words I use to say starting as an 8 year at my community and livestock club meetings. Community clubs refer to a variety of clubs that youth can sign-up to learn and acquire skills of a certain topic from. The youth will complete records and a project and compete at their county round-ups for placements. Some of these clubs are knitting, sewing, cake decorating, baking/cooking, archery, rocketry, ceramics, art, and many more. There is also opportunities to start practicing and developing leadership skills by being on the executive board for your areas community clubs.

The livestock clubs work similarly. As a participant you chose which animal you want to raise for a certain time span and you keep records, learn skills, collaborate with your leaders, and attend monthly meetings. Again, you will show your animal at round-up and then show and sale your animal at your local fair. Some of the livestock you can raise are swine, sheep, dairy beef, goats, and beef. There are also equine and rabbits clubs. 

Both community and livestock clubs not only teach you individual skills, record keeping, and financial literacy, but they present multiple opportunities to start developing your public speaking and leadership skills. Youth can start at the age of 8 and can continue until the age of 18. Working alongside another 4-H alumni who has different club experiences made our work smoother because of our rounded experiences.

Interning in 2013...

What did I do?

• Conducted a variety of agricultural lessons to summer camp students twice per week
• Assisted with prep work and execution of Presentation Night, Strawberry Round-Up, County & State Horse Shows, livestock club meetings, Round-Up, Welfare Training, and Family Farm Days.
• Did office work: made phone calls, answered emails, printed/stapled/organized paper, and communicated with office personnel. All of these tasks was preparation for the success of our events.
• Worked as a team with my bosses and co-intern 
• Ran errands with my co-intern to pick up supplies which was some of the best times of my internship!
• Ate at Chili's for lunch almost every other day

During agriculture night at the Lancaster Barnstormers game some of our members & members parents dressed in costume to help promote agriculture

What did I learn?

• The role of extension offices in counties 
• The role of 4-H at the local, state, and national level
• I practiced creativity and simplicity in lessons is meet the competency & age of my audience
• Expectations of a college intern
• The functions and workings of an office setting and system
• The importance of communication. When to communicate, who to communicate to, and how to communicate
• The capacity of programs such as Powerpoint, Prezi, Excel, and Google
• Pack your lunch the night before a work day
• Account for the worst traffic at all times

Would I suggest this internship to someone?
Yes I would. This internship was a perfect first internship. My two bosses were down to earth, full of knowledge, and fun people who help me with any learning curves I had. This is the general feel from the 4-H community, completing everything they do with purpose, passion, and energy yet are down to earth people. This internship exposes education focussed majors to the other options of age group, content areas, and communities in which they can teach. 4-H is a foundational organization that give students outlets to express and learn in ways that are best for them. As an intern you can add your personal flare and strengths to the organization in addition takeaway from the many growing opportunities it allows you. The best part is... almost every county has an extension office and 4-H program!

FAQs: Pennsylvania Farm Bureau: Friends of Agriculture Foundation Internship

During the summer of 2014 I interned at Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) in the Friends of Agriculture Foundation department. I know when I searched for internships I was always looking to asked someone about their experience especially for a specific company. Below is information in an interview setup with questions I asked as a junior in college when inquiring about the internship at PFB.

How did you learn about them?
I heard about PFB through their presence at the College of Agricultural Sciences Career Fair and by reading a previous student's internship experience in the Teach Ag! Blog. Besides knowing the missions and purpose of PFB I learned the rest on the job.

When did you apply?
I applied at the career fair in October in the fall. PFB recruiters attend career fairs in the fall and start their first round of interviews in the beginning of December.

What was the interview process like?
There are two rounds of interviews. The first round took place on campus and then the second interview occurs at PFB's office in Camp Hill, PA. The first round consisted of very standard interview questions and the second interview was more personalized questions for each department.

How long was the internship?
The internship is a minimal of 10 weeks but can last longer.

What did you wear?
I wore business casual daily. On occasions I wore business attire when visiting governmental buildings but on the flip side wore jeans and a t-shirt when I cleaned the Mobile Ag Labs.

Where is PFB?
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is located in Camp Hill, PA, right outside of Harrisburg. The American Farm Bureau is located in Washington D.C. and also has internships available.

What did you do?
I was the intern in the Friends of Agriculture Foundation which focussed on agricultural education throughout the state. I worked heavily with the Mobile Ag Lab program cleaning labs, stocking labs, and supporting the preparatory work for the upcoming school year. I created lesson extensions for the two new lessons that were being added to the Mobile Ag Lab for the 2014-2015 year. I also created an activity for Ag Progress Days and Farm Show on Bees which used my creative skills. In addition to the labs I assisted with the annual golf tournament and the National Ag in the Classroom event which was held in Pennsylvania during the 2014 summer.

My Bee Activity

One unique aspect to this internship is the overlapping of experiences. I was able to work with the three other interns in their departments to help with events. In the Member Relations department the interns worked with the FACE conference to prep and then re-vamp some of the materials for the next conference. With the Government Communications department we were able to travel and visit the state and national capital buildings. We also had the opportunity to visit the American Farm Bureau. The balance of working as a group and as an individual was very even.

Do you have to be a PA Farm Bureau Member? Do you parents?
You and your family do not have to be farm bureau members. When you are done interning you will want to be though!

Do I have to be a farmer to work/Intern there?
You do not need to have any agricultural background. It certainly helps you to have some prior knowledge but PFB is all encompassing and heighten your level of understanding of the Pennsylvania agricultural.

Do they have positions to hire college graduates?
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has entry level jobs in all departments.

Why PFB?
Honestly I went into my internship at PFB with very little knowledge about PFB. I learned a lot about the organization during my summer there. PFB is a diverse supporter, initiative taking, and resourceful organization whose goal is to heighten Pennsylvania and American agricultural. The internship program PFB is well established and wants to give interns the opportunity to ask questions, see the bigger pictures, and ultimately learn.

2015 Intern Team

TEDxPSU - James Franklin

Head football Coach James Franklin gave a 15 minute TEDxPSU talk at Penn State where he discussed his teams core values.

Attitude

Sacrifice 

Work Ethic

Compete in Everything You Do

These core values are not only ones that the football team encompasses but Penn State athletics. I have tried multiple times writing blog posts and articles about what athletics has given me, why athletics is more then its stereotypes, and how important athletics and athletes are to this university. Coach Franklin says it all effectively and clearly in the video below: (scroll to 4:10)

What I Believe All Penn Stater's Should Not Miss Out On

There are many articles on what college students should not miss out on in college. The best part about Penn State is that every student has the opportunity to accomplish everything anyone has ever named. Below I made a list of what I believe all Penn Stater's should not miss out on during their time here. 

1. Live with someone you do not know as a freshmen. Some of your best friends can come out of a random roommate assignment and if not you will have some funny stories to tell of your awful roommate.

2. Go to a fencing match! They hold the record of the most national championships won at Penn State. It is 13!

3. On that note, try to go to at least one of every athletic teams event. You will never feel more prideful then cheering on people who are representing the university with a community that loves Penn State as much as you do.

Penn State Field Hockey won the Big Ten Championship on our home turf

4. Be apart of THON. Whether that be cheering on dancers from the stands THON weekend, watching the live stream, or being on a committee. Penn State has the largest student ran philantrophy in the world who just raised $13 million dollars in 2015 for pediatric cancer and you are apart of that university!!! Go check it out.

Merchandise Distribution Committee 2015 - 3rd Canning Weekend

5. Study Abroad. I know everyone says it, but you will understand why after you go. 

Adventures in South Island, New Zealand

6. Meet your professors. I am not talking about the quick introduction you see students giving on the first day of class... I am talking about visiting them during office hours for help and for "life advice". 

7. Join a club or organization that pertains to your major. This is beneficial as an underclassmen because you learn about the major's expectations, classes, and start networking with students and professors.

8. Join a club or organization that is aligns with a hobby, cause you support, or something that sounds fun.

9. Make a friend or two in every class.

10. Buy the cheap concert and show tickets that BJC offers. They only get more expensive once you leave college.

11. Enjoy the good eats of State College. There are many great places to eat in State College and I would suggest changing it up from time to time. My favorites are Otto's, Home Delivery, Meyers Dairy, and Green Bowl.

12. Tailgate: as often and as much as possible. No one does it better.

13. Get dressed and go to career fairs. Start going sooner then later. The more practice you have the more confidence you will have talking to people who are looking for a Penn Stater to employ. 

14. Do not avoid the HUB. Yes it can be crazy and it can eat your bank account away, but there is no better way to get freebies, know what is going on at Penn State, and meet new people then at the HUB. Pick up a collegian while you are there and read it.

15. Most people do not move to State College after they graduate so enjoy the mountainous area while you are there. There is more then Mt. Nittany to hike... go check out Penn State's Environmental Center - Shaver's Creek.

16. Utilize the happy hours. Again, it only gets more expensive after you leave college

17. Plan to attend famous speakers at Eisenhower Auditorium. Two of my favorites have been Mike Eruzione and Magic Johnson and they are usually free of charge.

18. Learn and observe Penn State's history and landmarks throughout campus. We are because of who came before us and what are we going to do to leave Penn State better then when we came?

19. Go to every building on campus. Keep track on a map. 

20. Take the opportunity to meet someone new. It could be a student, professor, or administrator.


This list has no particular order but it takes motivation and desire to accomplish and do all you can while at Penn State. It is easy to get sucked into doing nothing on the weekends, binging on Netflix, and partying at every opportunity. "Bigger is Better" and that is why Penn State is the BEST, but many people do not realize it until after they leave so do not waste a minute.

Dancing with Chaos - TEDxPSU

Dr. Susan Russell is someone I have been fortunate enough to meet before I graduate from Penn State. She was named 2014-2015 Penn State's Laureate, which if you nothing about we will just say that they are AWESOME PEOPLE! 

Below is about a ten minute TEDxPSU talk she gave which simply captures her charismatic, fun, intelligent, and influential personality that I wanted to share.

For more information on the Penn State Laureate's: http://laureate.psu.edu/