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Department of Communications and Agricultural Education

Tag: Student Feature

Student Spotlight: Allison Bertz

by Jessica Schaeffer, agricultural communications master’s student

Allison is posing hands folded over stomach in a black shirt and white pants
Allison Bertz

Allison Bertz was raised on a seventh-generation farm south of Kansas City and knew early on that agricultural communications was what she wanted to pursue. She worked for Fahrmeier Farms U-Pick and Produce Market during high school and enjoyed being able to interact with the urban population from Kansas City. Bertz was introduced to Kansas State University and the department when her cousin, Molly Bertz, enrolled at the university. Since her identical twin, Abby, was committed to going to the University of Missouri, she decided to follow her own path and attend Kansas State University pursing agricultural communications and journalism. She has found value in being a student in the College of Agriculture and the opportunities it has provided to grow as an individual.

Bertz devotes most of her time outside of classes to the College of Agriculture Ambassadors program. She is grateful for the opportunity to interact with prospective students and help put them at ease while on their first visit. Last year, she was the College of Agriculture Training Program Coordinator (CAT) for Ag Ambassadors. In this role, she taught current students the CAT class that introduces each major, offerings and specialties in the College of Agriculture. Now, she is the selections coordinator and facilitates the application and interview process for potential ambassadors.

Bertz presenting with green powerpoint and olive dress
Allison Bertz presenting.

She is also involved with Cargill Fellows through which she is guided on developing her professional skills within the industry. This summer, she will be a marketing intern for Cargill. She is also a member of the Agricultural Communications Advancement Team for the major to help recruit students to the major. Serving as secretary for Kappa Kappa Gamma, Bertz helps empower women in academics, volunteerism and leadership. She is also a member of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow.

One of Bertz’s favorite college experiences was when she traveled abroad to the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg in May of 2019 with the agricultural economics department. Seeing how these countries approached agriculture, Bertz was amazed by the technological advancements of the countries. She enjoyed being immersed in the cultures and enjoyed interacting with the people.

Allison Bertz (right) with her cousin Molly Bertz, a 2019 K-State alumna.

Bertz worked for the Missouri Corn Growers Association as a grower services intern following her freshman year. She enjoyed advocating for and representing the industry she grew up in. On behalf of Missouri corn growers, Bertz traveled to Washington D.C. and met policy makers to discuss issues facing the growers. In summer 2019, she was an account management intern for Signal Theory, an advertising agency, in Kansas City. In her role, she conducted behavioral science research with cattle producers. While in school, she is the communications intern for the College of Agriculture producing content for the K-State Agriculture social media accounts.

When she graduates in December 2020, she hopes to be working in marketing because she enjoys how it ties business and communications together through the element of strategy.

Internship highlight – Zach Callaghan

by Zach Callaghan, agricultural education student

This summer, I worked as an Educational Program Assistant at the Sunset Zoo in Manhattan. In this role, I primarily spent my time teaching elementary and middle school students during weekly summer camps. Each week was centered around a different theme and focused on teaching the science of animals, nature, and environmental conservation. As a future high school agriculture teacher, this experience helped to build and improve my pedagogical skills by providing opportunities to write curriculum and manage my own classroom. I would definitely recommend this experienceto other Agricultural Education students as it is a great outlet to practice teaching and the curriculum can easily relate to agriculture. With only one semester left until I begin my student teaching experience, I am grateful to have had this opportunity to work with students and teach them a little bit about agriculture along the way!

 

Internship highlight: Mary Marsh

by Mary Marsh, agricultural communication and journalism student

 

For my final summer of college, I decided to go home to California and get a job close to home. This summer, I am working as a field inspector for the California Crop Improvement Association. I am checking sunflower fields in my home county of Colusa. My role is to go to the sunflower fields around the county and make reports about what I see to make sure the crop is high quality, since these flowers are going to be harvested for seed.

I do three inspections throughout the growing season. My initial check is pre-bloom when the buds are just beginning to form. I look for different weeds in the field and for different varieties of sunflowers that may have grown in the field or within a mile to two-mile radius. Although it is not in the job description, I also keep an eye out for different pests causing problems in the sunflowers. During the two bloom checks, I walk out into the field and make sure there are no off-varieties that might affect the quality of seed. Being in the field is important to me, this job is all about getting in the thick of the sunflower action. I have about 90 fields to check around my county. Needless to say, I have been busy and have learned quite a bit about sunflower production!

Although my job is heavily focused on agronomy, I have found ways to keep my communication skills polished. I have brought my camera along with me and have made it my goal to document the various maturity stages in my fields. I also get to interact with agronomists and growers occasionally. So far, I have noticed a growing confidence in talking about field crops since taking this internship.

This job has allowed me to see more of my county and learn a whole new commodity. I will be a stronger communicator because of this hands-on experience in production agriculture.

Student Spotlight: Darcie Gallagher

By Deanna Reid, agricultural education and communications master’s student

Darcie Gallagher, a Missouri native, is pursuing a master’s in agricultural education and communications and conducting research on the involvement of talented and gifted students in agricultural education. Before coming to K-State, Gallagher earned an associate degree of applied science in agriculture business and management technology from Southeast Community College in Beatrice, Nebraska, and a bachelor’s degree in agriculture sciences from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri.

 

In August, Gallagher was hired as a precision agriculture instructor at Highland Community College in Wamego. She is working to expand the program and teach new technologies and farming methods.

 

When asked why she chose to attend K-State, Gallagher said, “I loved the atmosphere of the communications and agricultural education department and the opportunities that I knew I would experience throughout my time at KSU! I have never been happier in my choice of a master’s program and what the future holds.”

 

When she is not in the classroom, Gallagher enjoys running, gardening, and working on her family’s farm.

Horses and 4-H’ers: My Summer Experience

By Allison Wakefield, agricultural communications and journalism junior

 

When asked about my job at the Rock Springs 4-H Center, this Marc Anthony quote immediately comes to mind: “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” This summer, I was a member of the horse barn staff. I had been to Rock Springs as both a 4-H camper and counselor, but my experiences as a child and young adult were nothing compared to what I did this summer.

In June, more than 2,200 4-H’ers from all over Kansas visited the horse barn and got the chance learn about and ride horses. Rock Springs also hosted family reunions, company conferences, camps for hearing-impaired youth, and even a 4-H exchange group from Japan.

As an agricultural communications and journalism major, I was excited to improve my communications skills and learn how to teach and interact with a wide variety of audiences and quickly adapt to their learning abilities. I was challenged to give instructions to groups of people who didn’t speak English or could not hear me. It was extremely challenging, but also rewarding. Seeing a smile on a child’s face while riding a horse and knowing that I was part of a lifelong memory was inspiring.

My co-workers, both equine and human, were fun to work with. We endured a few long, hot days, but we stayed positive and happy. It was clear that I was working with people who loved the work as much as I did.

My favorite thing about this summer was being able to use my photography skills on the trails. I took photographs of numerous trails that other barn staff members and I had cleared for future trail riders. I am so glad I had the chance to capture friends and fun through a lens and help the 4-H center at the same time.

Helping many kids ride their first horse, watching them overcome their fears, learn about horses, and begin to love them affected me greatly. At the end of the summer, I realized that I may have left a small mark on Rock Springs, but Rock Springs left an even bigger mark on me, and I’ll never forget it.

Allison, a junior from Mound City, Kansas, is serving as the Ag Council Representative for the 2018-2019 K-State Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) chapter.

Student Spotlight: Kelsey Tully

Story by Deanna Reid, master’s student

Kelsey Tully, a Wichita native, is pursuing her master’s degree in agricultural education and communication. Tully graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2016 with a bachelor of science degree in animal science. As a graduate student, she works with Professor Jason Ellis on his research, and she is a teachingassistant for the Agricultural Business Communications class.

 

When asked why she is attending Kansas State, Tully stated, “I’m in graduate school because I wanted to pursue a career in agriculture and be able to not only use my undergraduate degree but also be able to work hand-in-hand with farmers and ranchers.” Her thesis focuses on integrating new-media technology in extension as an educational tool.

 

Tully also works for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification at K-State where she helps with graphic design, webpage design and maintenance, and research.

 

She said, “I grew up in the city not knowing much about agriculture. But I have been very fortunate to work in many different settings with all kinds of livestock, from cattle to alpacas, and I have loved every minute! I look forward to finding a job in which I can keep learning and helping others.”