AEC Review | Fall 2014

Department of Agricultural Education and Communication

AECREVIEW

fall 2014

Letter from the Department Chair

W

e hope you enjoy this latest issue of our AEC Department newsletter! The stories within provide a glimpse of the many projects and initiatives underway in the Department at any given time. We continue to proactively chart our future and seek opportunities to further advance the Department in all areas. Our current Strategic Plan includes the revised vision and mission statements shown below, along with the strategic goals currently under pursuit by our faculty/staff team.

The vision of the AEC Department is to be distinguished by our impact on practice, value to stakeholders, scholarly contributions to the discipline, and leadership in the profession.

The mission of the AEC Department is to serve society by advancing individuals and organizations in agriculture and natural resources through research and evidence-based practice in education, communication, and leadership.

Strategic Goals: 1. Strengthen graduate and undergraduate programs as distinguishing features of the department.

2. Strengthen professional development programs provided to stakeholder groups.

3. Maximize the visibility and impact of AEC research and extension programs.

4. Develop and promote AEC as a leader in online learning.

Faculty leadership teams are actively pursuing each of these strategic goals, and we’ll chart our progress over the next two years. Our outstanding AEC staff members constitute a high performing team that is also fully engaged in our continuing quest to become a better department tomorrow than we are today.

We value and appreciate the opportunity we have been given to positively impact the lives of people and organizations in agriculture and natural resources, and we look forward to many productive partnerships in the year ahead!

Fall

2014

Dr. Ed Osborne

on the cover

Trinidad & Tobago: Over spring break 2014, faculty and graduate students took a trip to the two Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago to conduct research on food security and nutrition in a developing country. The goal was to raise awareness of these issues and to develop reusable learning objects (RLOs) to encourage students to think more critically to find solutions to these problems.

Go Gators!

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Photo credit: ThinkStock

co nt ents AECREVIEW Fall 2014 | Published biannually UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication 305 Rolfs Hall PO Box 110540 Gainesville, FL 32611-0540 352-392-0502 aec.ifas.ufl.edu Editor Andrea Davis Copy Editor Ricky Telg Ed Osborne Graphic Designer Andrea Davis Writers Erica Addison Laura-Kaitlyn Boatright Shelby Brooks Kaylee Brummett Miranda Craig Morgan Davis Morgan Edwards Andrew Gocek Jaron Jones Shelby Oesterreicher Ellen Sharpe Kalli Sharpe April Walker Charlotte Yanes

departmental buzz

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The Perfect Proposal AEC graduate students’ marriage proposal goes viral

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Agricultural education in south korea Faculty members deliver agricultural education programs in S. Korea

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AEC Goes Global: Trinidad & Tobago Faculty & grad students conduct research at University of West Indies

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Transforming Leadership Education AEC leadership workgroup aims to transform leadership education

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Developing future Leaders in Agriculture Three students participate in FFA’s NLCSO conference

student SPOTLIGHT

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Student Spotlight: Miranda Craig

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Student Spotlight: Morgan Edwards Morgan interns for United States Representative Ted Yoho

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Miranda interns on the campaign trail for Circuit Judge Mary Thatcher

Student Spotlight: Elise Stoddard

Elise works as a director for FFA’s Washington Leadership Conference

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Student Spotlight: Sydney Stone Sydney interns for The Market Place, an Ag. marketing company

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Alumni Feature: Tiffany Dale Tiffany works as Academic Support Services Coordinator for AEC

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Alumni Feature: Andrea Davis Andrea works as Coordinator of Education Media & Comm. for AEC

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Alumni Feature: Erin Nessmith Erin works as Academic Support Services Coordinator for AEC

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Alumni Feature: Hilary Holley Hilary works as Agricultural Education Coordinator for FDACS

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AEC Awards & Accomplishments

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special features

Scholarships & Endowments The Gator Nation is Everywhere: PhD Placement Staff Retreat; New Faces in AEC

3 | AECREVIEW

THE PERFECT

PROPOSAL

By Laura-Kaitlyn Boatright

4 | FALL 2014

Two Department of Agricultural Education and Communication graduate students’ marriage proposal video went viral on Oct. 20, after the video was uploaded to YouTube with almost 2 million views in 24 hours.

Levy Randolph and Tiffany Rogers are pursuing master’s degrees in agricultural education and communication at the University of Florida. Both Randolph and Rogers are past National FFA officers. Randolph and Rogers first met in Pasadena, California, at the Rose Bowl Parade in January 2010, and they shared a brief conversation before attending the game with a group of friends, Randolph said.

Throughout the video, Rogers was surprised by her sister and several of her close friends to get her nails done, go dress shopping and enjoy their time together.

Along her journey, Rogers received letters from Randolph that provided further instructions for the day.

“I was in shock and disbelief throughout the most of it,” Rogers said. “I was completely surprised and had so many questions about how this was all happening.”

In the video, Rogers meets up with family after spending time with close friends before meeting up with Randolph. Rogers’ father escorted her, blindfolded, from the limousine to the Rose Bowl’s field, where Randolph proposed.

“We had talked about our future and getting married for quite some time,” Rogers said. “The day had the perfect ending.”

Along with the friends and family of the newly engaged couple, Ashton Kutcher, Huffington Post and Cosmopolitan were among the

many who viewed and shared the proposal video, Randolph said.

“We never expected anything like that to happen,” Rogers said.

“It’s awesome that they found it to be something worth sharing.”

“it all seemed so surreal that the day was finally here and that he had made it into such a romantic and grand gesture. ”

departmental buzz After Rogers said “yes,” family and friends rushed the field to congratulate the couple.

“It all seemed so surreal that the day was finally here and that he had made it into such a romantic and grand gesture,” Rogers said. “I felt so blessed and fortunate to be able to spend that day with all of our family and friends.”

Randolph said the wedding date is yet to be decided, but the couple is looking at December 2016.

“Overall, it was just really neat to see people share in something we had been waiting for for so long,” Randolph said.

Candlelight Films produced the marriage proposal video.

To view the video, visit the link: (http://candlelightfilms.com/theperfect-proposal/).

5 | AECREVIEW

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

In South Korea

By kaylee brummett

6 | FALL 2014

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professor in the University of Florida’s Department of Agricultural Education and Communication helped develop a program that allows university students and practicing teachers to gain a better perspective of global agricultural education while studying abroad.

Partnering with faculty from Pennsylvania State University, AEC professor Kirby Barrick escorted students and new faculty members to the Republic of Korea.

“Students should study abroad, and I think the most valuable study abroad programs are those that are closely related to the student’s major,” Barrick said. “Better yet to go someplace and see things that are related to what you want to do in life.”

Searching for a partnership to coordinate study abroad trips, Barrick pursued Penn State because of its similar AEC program. By collaborating with Penn State, untenured faculty members have also been given the opportunity to go abroad.

“I also have this underlying mission to help young faculty have international experiences without eating up too much of their career,” Barrick said.

Along with Barrick’s newly acquired team, the Republic of Korea was chosen to be the destination of these study abroad trips. Much like schools in the United States, the Republic of Korea teaches agriculture in high schools and prepares teachers of agriculture at its universities.

Before journeying to Korea, UF and Penn State students were required to take a 10-week course that provided details about Korean agriculture, education, history and culture.

A grant to help fund the 2012 study abroad trip was given by

Fulbright-Hays, a part of the United States Department of Education.

The trip was to be a minimum of four weeks in length, allowing for a more adaptive learning experience. Secondly, an equal number of practicing teachers and undergraduate students were to travel on the trip. Grantees were also required to attend 20 hours of intensive language learning during their stay.

“Attempting to learn a language really gave us a better appreciation for our International students here at the University of Florida,” Barrick said. “My heart just goes out to them.”

On the 2012 study abroad trip, the eight travelers from Florida spent time in both metropolitan and rural areas. During the first week they created short lessons to teach at the schools that would be visited later during the trip. The lessons covered simple topics such as planting crops systematically and how to communicate the importance of agriculture.

The team delivered the micro-

“attempting to learn a language gave us a better appreciation for our international students here at the university of florida.”

departmental buzz lessons to Suwon High School for Agriculture Sciences, Suncheon National University and GwangJu National University. Suncheon has a Department of Agricultural Education and Gwang-Ju focuses on preparing elementary education agricultural teachers.

University of Florida faculty member Andrew Thoron was also able to join the team and travel to Korea. It was the job of faculty members to oversee the undergraduate students as they presented their micro-lessons.

“One of my favorite parts of the trip was working and interacting with students at the universities,” Thoron said.

“Building relationships with the students led to getting to know them better, which leads to them being more comfortable asking questions, which leads to knowing more in-depth information and about their real culture.”

After students from the United States traveled to Korea in 2012, the Republic of Korea sent five students to the United States the following year. While hoping for a continuance of this yearto-year rotation, Barrick said it may be difficult to facilitate study abroad trips to students in Korea.

Students often fear the progress in their studies will be slowed, as it is a highly competitive process to gain acceptance into universities, he said.

Pictured in photo: Dr. Kirby Barrick with students from Suwon High School for Agriculture Sciences.

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AEC GOES GLOBAL: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

By Andrew Gocek

Over spring break 2014, an agricultural education and communication graduate student traveled to two Caribbean islands to experience a new culture and to conduct research to help others.

Doctoral student Chris Mott was one of five AEC graduate students who traveled to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago to conduct research on nutrition and food security.

“The goal was to bring awareness to food security and nutrition in a developing country,” Mott said. “It was also to develop reusable learning objects for students in America and build critical thinking and 8 | FALL 2014

creativity skills in developing solutions.”

Mott’s research focused on different views and observations on the issues of nutrition and food security in Trinidad. From these different perspectives two main concerns were brought to attention: their lack of knowledge of nutrition and food security, Mott said.

The research gathered from the University of West Indies campus focused on students and their diets. Mott observed that their diet is based on culturally specific foods and fast food or chain restaurants.

“Their idea of good food is Kentucky Fried Chicken,” Mott said. “It’s the most popular fast

food chain in the country.”

The research focused on the locals and their interpretations of nutrition and food security in Trinidad. Mott said 90 percent of Trinidad’s food is imported, which means agriculture in Trinidad’s culture is lacking.

Mott was also able to gather information from a nutritional expert and hear her opinion on nutrition and food security. The expert believed that Trinidad’s people were only receiving three out of the five categories in the food group pyramid, Mott said.

Once Mott had observed and experienced these different perspectives of the Trinidad citizens, he was able to bring back his research to develop

a reusable learning object.

The reusable learning object is structured for viewers to use their own critical and creative thinking skills for a solution to Trinidad’s food security and nutrition issues, he said.

The learning outcome is based on three videos that Mott narrated, explaining his research and observations in Trinidad, and can be viewed at globaleducationlab.org.

Handouts and discussion questions follow the videos, allowing students to apply skills and improve problem solving.

“I tried to capture the sights and sounds of the situation in Trinidad for students here in America to gain a glimpse of this country’s lack of agriculture and need for positive nutritional messages,” Mott said. “It’s my hope students can use critical and creative thinking for problem solving.”

departmental buzz

“the goal was to bring awareness to food security and nutrition in a developing country.”

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TRANSFORMING LEADERSHIP EDUCATION

By Jaron Jones

O

nce a month, the Agricultural Education and Communication Leadership Education Workgroup at the University of Florida assembles to discuss innovative methods in which to transform how to teach and apply leadership education.

Led by assistant professor Tony Andenoro, the workgroup’s main learning goal is to transform leadership learning at the University of Florida into something that’s compatible with the needs of society.

“Currently I just feel like our educational system, especially within leadership education, is antiquated, and we really need to reconsider it,” Andenoro said.

Andenoro said the leadership workgroup’s vision is that if leadership educators can come together and at least change how leadership is taught and applied at UF, that it could potentially change how leadership education programs at other universities teach and apply leadership as well.

“We do this by looking at the ‘why’ of leadership education and probably more importantly the ‘who,’” he said.

By carefully identifying the needs of its student population and outside stakeholders,

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the leadership workgroup is better equipped to understand the needs of those it serves, Andenoro said.

The workgroup conducted meetings over a two-month time span discussing the “why” and the “who” of leadership education with the goal of creating a better experience for leadership educators, students and stakeholders.

“More simply put, we’re doing this because leadership education needs us to,” Andenoro said.

The leadership workgroup members hope to encourage students and educators to meet the needs of their organizations through complex problem solving, rather than focusing on content, he said.

“What I like about the leadership workgroup is that it provides graduate students an opportunity to apply what we learn in the classroom directly to the needs of the organizations around us,” said Janine Parker, a third-year doctoral student and advocate for the leadership workgroup.

Parker said she really likes that everyone involved with the workgroup feels valued and that each person’s perspective is

needed and wanted.

The workgroup works with industry professionals, stakeholder groups, researchers and a variety of students to provide as many perspectives as possible to assist in learning what those within leadership education need to focus on, Andenoro said.

Once the workgroup understands the needs of everyone involved within a given organization, the workgroup members brainstorm on how to meet each person’s needs most effectively, he said.

“The members within the leadership workgroup believe that through critical reflection, challenge-based learning, teambased learning, using innovative approaches and other new methodologies, that they are really pushing the bounds of leadership education,” Andenoro said. “From using these methods within the workgroup, the result is that leadership educators and students learn how to solve complex problems, enhance creativity, enhance critical thinking and many other things that assist each person in transforming their organizations.”

departmental buzz

DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS IN AGRICULTURE

By Shelby Oesterreicher

Three Agricultural Education and Communication students traveled across the nation to facilitate the National Leadership Conference for State Officers (NLCSO) for the National FFA Organization this summer.

Clay Sapp, Joenelle Futrell and Levy Randolph are past national FFA officers who wanted to give back to an organization that gave them so much over the years. Randolph and Futrell facilitated two NLCSOs this summer and Sapp facilitated three.

“I’ve been dedicated to the organization for an extended period of time, and I jumped at the chance to develop my teaching skills,” Futrell said.

NLCSO is a conference where state leaders in FFA come together and learn skills and leadership techniques they will need in order to be successful during their year as state officers, Sapp said. They gain the tools necessary to teach FFA members within their respective states about agriculture, leadership and FFA, Randolph said.

“Effectively sharing the message of agriculture and FFA is imperative to the success of the organization, and NLCSO is a huge proponent of getting the right message out there,” Sapp said.

The conference focused on state officers and their team dynamic, as well as problem solving and team building, Sapp said. NLCSO is one of two conferences developed

by FFA, including another conference called Blast Off which focuses on individual leadership development, Sapp said.

The number of state officers at the conference ranged from 16 to 58. The weeklong conferences allowed the facilitators and state officers to build strong long-term relationships, Futrell said.

“I still keep in contact with several of them and continue to strengthen my relationships,” Futrell said. “I have become a mentor to a few of the state officers I taught.”

National officers do not get to build long-term relationships with members, Futrell said, because they mainly facilitate one-day workshops to students.

“I am a product of NLCSO, and it greatly contributed to my experiences as a state officer and even made me want to run for national office,” Randolph said.

Randolph facilitated the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) for three years prior to his time as an NLCSO facilitator. At WLC he worked with high school students, but decided he wanted to try

something different for his last year of facilitating with the organization.

“What interested me about NLCSO is that it was sort of a trickle-down conference, by getting to impact and work with the state leaders and knowing that they were going to take what they learned at NLCSO and impact students in their own states,” Randolph said. “I felt like I was reaching a much bigger crowd.”

“The state officers are the hands and feet of FFA because they reach the local chapters and have so much influence within their states,” Sapp said.

“Getting to see state officers, who I once taught as students, utilize their potential was such a rewarding experience,” Randolph said.

The students facilitated with a partner they barely knew.

Building a solid relationship with their partner was vital to the success of their conference, Sapp said.

Sapp said the best thing about facilitating NLCSO was realizing the caliber of leadership and talent the state officers had.

“They are highly driven, highly dedicated and highly excited individuals,” Sapp said.

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student spotlight MIRANDA CRAIG

By Morgan Edwards

I

nstead of soaking up the sun at the beach, one agricultural education and communication student spent her summer campaigning and politicking for her hometown candidate.

For the past five months, University of Florida junior Miranda Craig served on staff for the election campaign for Mary Hatcher for circuit judge, District 5, Group 3.

Craig’s duties included producing campaign literature, organizing and planning events and preparing the candidate for appearances and forums.

“I think I enjoyed assisting Ms. Hatcher the most with her speech-writing because the student became the teacher,” Craig said.

Hatcher said Craig was a valued asset to her campaign.

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“She possessed both the intelligence and perseverance to see every assignment through to completion,” Hatcher said. “She was also very good at communicating and corresponding with event planners.”

Craig said that during the campaign, she learned that statements and beliefs are often misrepresented in politics.

“The experience has opened my eyes to be more aware of the actions of others, and also how vital it is to not only be an effective communicator, but an active listener as well,” she said.

While campaigning, Craig said she met several people who she will never forget. At an event in Leesburg, Florida, Craig met Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantara and his staff. She also met 23-year-old Jennifer Sullivan who is now the youngest woman to serve in the Florida Legislature.

Craig said it was rewarding to support a candidate such as Hatcher, while meeting so many people in her community.

“The relationship I fostered with her will forever hold a place in my heart, and we will always be colleagues, but more importantly friends,” Craig said. “Ms. Hatcher is a gracious woman who truly wants the best for everyone she encounters.”

Craig continued to serve on the campaign staff until the general election in November.

In the future Craig said she would enjoy working for another campaign if she has faith in the candidate and agrees with the candidate’s views.

“I would jump at the chance to work for a few specific people, like fellow Gators Adam Putnam and Pam Bondi,” Craig said.

“They are both an inspiration to me and people who I look up to.”

student spotlight

student spotlight MORGAN EDWARDS

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University of Florida student attained valuable experience through a prestigious summer internship by volunteering for U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho in Gainesville, Florida.

Edwards, a junior at UF, desired to earn a student internship with Yoho’s office after learning of his service as the only Florida member in the House Committee on Agriculture.

“I applied for this internship because I hoped it would give me peace that I am heading in the right direction with my career path,” Edwards, an Agricultural Education and Communication major, said in regards to her future hopes of a career with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“The experience solidified I am heading toward my calling, and that is comforting to know,” Edwards said.

While at the district office, Edwards was responsible for assisting constituents with personal concerns through telephone conversations

and written correspondence.

Efficiently relaying concerns to Yoho and his staffers proved a vital duty Edwards executed.

District Director for Yoho, Clay Martin, has worked with the congressional representative for approximately two years.

He served as a supervisor for Edwards and her fellow interns during their time at the office.

Martin, impressed by the leadership characteristics Edwards brought to the workplace, said, “Morgan exhibited many leadership qualities, particularly her ability to self-direct and self-motivate.

You never had to worry whether she was working toward accomplishing something.”

Aside from operating a multi-line phone, Edwards was responsible for monitoring local publications for Yoho. Edwards’s actions enabled Yoho to be familiar with happenings in the district, and allowed him to reach out to individuals who were making a difference in the community.

By Miranda Craig “It was important that Mr. Yoho maintained relationships with the constituents who put him in office,” Edwards said.

“He showed interest in every individual he came into contact with, and he is one of the most accessible representatives in Florida.”

Edwards admired Yoho’s “importance of work ethic and goal-oriented attitude,” she said.

“I witnessed the dedication and time that he puts into his job because he never takes a day off,” Edwards said.

The experience beginning in May and ending in August taught Morgan about herself as well.

“I learned age does not limit my opportunity or knowledge,” she said. “It gave me confidence knowing that even at 20, I am capable of making a difference and establishing beneficial connections.”

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student spotlight ELISE STODDARD

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University of Florida agricultural education and communication student traveled to Washington, D.C., over the summer to take on the role of director for the National FFA Organization’s annual summer seminar.

UF undergraduate student Elise Stoddard was the first female director to head the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC). Stoddard is majoring in agricultural education and communication, with a specialization in agricultural education. She was a Florida FFA state officer from 2010 to 2011 and facilitated the Washington Leadership Conference in 2013.

“I had the coolest job in the world,” Stoddard said. “My favorite parts were watching the staff interact with each other, especially when they encouraged one another and maintained positive attitudes after 13-hourlong days.”

Stoddard said her job was being a liaison between all of the logistics and the student program. She helped coach 14 | FALL 2014

By Laura-Kaitlyn Boatright

the facilitators, observed the students’ experience, worked closely with the hotel staff and the venues and dealt with disciplinary or medical issues, as needed.

“The purpose of WLC would be to create citizens of the students,” Stoddard said.

“The students come up with a ‘Living to Serve’ plan, which holds calculated efforts and is a tangible list that they bring home to start to be the agents of change in their community.”

FFA members from all areas of the country attend the Washington Leadership Conference. The seminar lasts one week, making a total of seven seminars held throughout the summer.

During the conference, students had the opportunity to visit iconic places such as Arlington National Cemetery, the Newseum, the Capitol and other monuments.

The students participate in a service project that involves packing meals and ultimately benefits the metro D.C. area. The students packed approximately 280,000 meals in total, she said.

“Through big actions or small actions, it’s all about serving our communities, whether that community be your actual hometown, school, country or world,” Stoddard said. “Good citizenship is what students take away.”

One of the activities students participated in is called Poverty Dinner, also known as the Hunger Banquet.

“The students are accurately split up percentage-wise to the world’s income groups,” Stoddard said. “We showed pictures and told stories of the reality for so many people in our world, which was an ‘aha’moment for a lot of people and it is interesting to experience.”

This activity sends a powerful and accurate message of the world’s income and how the world eats, Stoddard said.

“Above any other FFA or personal experience, above state office, WLC has been the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me,” she said.

Stoddard plans to apply for the director position of WLC for the summer of 2015.

Pictured in photo: Elise Stoddard, second from right, with fellow WLC attendees.

student spotlight

student spotlight SYDNEY STONE

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student in the Agricultural Education and Communication Department held a summer internship that provided her with connections in the agricultural communications industry.

Sydney Stone interned for five months at The Market Place, an agricultural communications and marketing company.

While Stone interned at The Market Place she kept a parttime job, worked at a summer camp, took classes, traveled and enjoyed her last summer before graduation at the University of Florida.

Stone said she had a lot going on during summer but decided she still wanted to take on the internship.

“I feel the internship is paid in full because I am more than grateful that The Market Place was able to cover my travel expenses and that I was given opportunities I never would have had,” Stone said.

While interning, she made connections that could lead to a

full-time job or career.

“I gained more confidence, professional skills in and outside the workplace,” Stone said.

Stone got to travel in Florida, Alabama and Tennessee. She attended the National AgriMarketing Association conference in Jacksonville, a client training in Memphis, the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association annual meeting in Naples, the Alabama FFA State Convention in Montgomery, the Florida FFA State Convention in Orlando and the Citrus Expo in Ft. Myers.

“The internship exceeded my expectations because it encompassed such a variety of skills, jobs and adventures,” Stone said.

Erin Freel (B.S., AEC) and founder and owner of The Market Place, mentored Stone. Stone said she enjoyed getting to learn “the little things” and picked up good tips from Freel that are valuable life lessons.

“Erin Freel has been more than a supervisor to me,” Stone said. “I learned so much

By Morgan Davis from her about agricultural communications and life. She has become a friend and someone I can call under any circumstance.”

Stone said Freel was exceptional at her job and she gained valuable skills from her time at The Market Place.

While Stone interned, she took on many tasks that taught her about communications, such as writing newsletters, shooting videos, capturing still pictures, updating social media outlets, attending client trainings and selling convention DVDs. “The Market Place is a very successful and thriving business, with a hometown feel that has a heart for making sure clients are pleased,” Stone said.

Stone said she was part of the team at The Market Place, not just another face.

“Everyone is so genuine and brings their own unique talents and charisma to the table,” she said.

Pictured in photo: Sydney Stone, left, with

The Market Place owner Erin Freel.

15 | AECREVIEW

alumni spotlight: tiffany dale

T

he University of Florida’s Plant City campus launched a communication and leadership development specialization for degreeseeking students in 2014, led by a graduate of the Agricultural Education and Communication Department.

After joining the staff at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center just over a year ago, academic program coordinator and lecturer Tiffany Dale has worked to recruit potential students for the University of Florida Plant City campus’ newest academic program. High school seniors from Hillsborough County and all surrounding counties have been the main focus, with the intent that they don’t have to move to Gainesville in order to obtain a UF degree with a specialization in Communication and Leadership Development.

“We have three students in the Communications and Leadership Development program this semester,” Dale 16 | FALL 2014

By April Walker said, “and the next three years will make or break the program.”

The CLD specialization gets students ready to enter the business world with the communication and leadership skills that will help them in their careers. They will be able to be proficient in areas such as digital media, journalism and human resource development, Dale said.

The Plant City Campus has been given a window of allotted time in order to try and build up the program to be successful.

Dale said that they recruit yeararound at local job and career fairs as well as at different convention, such as the annual Florida State FFA Convention.

“It’s challenging but exciting,” Dale said. “There is great value in having a campus here in Hillsborough County.”

Along with the Communication and Leadership Development program, the GCREC offers three other programs, including agricultural education, plant science and geomatics. Students can attend classes or gain credits online.

Having grown up in Plant City, Dale said that the connections she has made over the years have been beneficial to the program.

She has been able to keep up personal relationships within the community and maintain industry support through her present and past work history.

Dale obtained a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and communication and a master’s in agribusiness. She has worked with the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, helped with the hunger crisis campaign ‘HungerU’ and was a freelance writer for “Heartland In The Field” magazine. She has experience with media relations, produce sales and substitute teaching, which introduced her to the teaching aspect of agriculture.

Dale said that she is hopeful that the UF Gulf Coast Research and Education Center’s new CLD specialization will be a success in the area. She said that she is excited to see what the coming years have to offer.

“At the end of the day, it’s a group effort with the faculty in Gainesville,” Dale said.

alumni spotlight

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n agricultural education and communication graduate has taken what she learned from AEC and put her skills to the test in her job at the University of Florida.

AEC graduate Andrea Davis began her current role as Coordinator of Educational Media and Communications in January 2014. She works on a variety of projects for the department, including a departmental marketing and recruitment plan, which includes an in-depth research component, as well as a university-wide manual web migration the the Terminal 4 content management system.

In addition to these tasks, Davis also helps faculty promote their individual projects and programs through graphic design and videography.

“I love any opportunity to be creative,” Davis said. “I work on videos for the department from pre-production to postproduction, design departmental promotional materials and research the most effective messaging strategies for communicating AEC to current and prospective students and other stakeholders.”

Davis graduated from UF with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and communication in 2011 and a master’s degree in agricultural education and communication in 2013 with an agricultural communications specialization.

“I would highly recommend students to pursue a master’s degree in AEC, especially if they have hopes of later earning a Ph.D.,” Davis said. “It was such a positive experience for me and helped me to further develop

alumni spotlight: andrea davis

By Shelby Brooks

my communication skills, while also providing me with an academically rigorous research background.”

After having the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant for five different AEC courses during graduate school, Davis knew she wanted to pursue a Ph.D. so that she could teach someday. She described the classroom as her “happy place.”

“Our AEC faculty have been very influential people in my life.

Each of them have inspired me to want to do what they do,” Davis said. “I would love the opportunity to teach students the skills I’ve learned and help students to develop the passion for agricultural communications that I have.”

Davis took advantage of her time as a student in the department, interacting with

peers and faculty and being involved in departmental activities.

“It’s crazy that many of my classmates from AEC are the people I still work with to this day,” Davis said. “Always keep those connections with your peers, because you will more than likely encounter them again somewhere down the road.”

Davis also attributes some of her best life advice to things she learned from AEC professor Dr. Ricky Telg.

“I tend to be a little highstrung. One of the most important things Dr. Telg has taught me is to take life one day at a time and to not worry about things you cannot control,” she said.

17 | AECREVIEW

alumni spotlight: erin nessmith

By Kalli Sharpe

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University of Florida Agricultural Education and Communication alumna has now returned to the Gator Nation as the academic coordinator and student adviser of the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Plant City, Florida.

Erin Nessmith has also recently taken on the role of teaching the AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing course online. In addition to her work as a lecturer, Nessmith is the primary recruiter for all incoming students and assists prospective students in the admittance process.

She plans for her experience as a lecturer to evolve into a broader spectrum of AEC courses in the near future, Nessmith said. “I hope to teach multiple courses as the AEC department grows,” she said.

Nessmith served as the 20052006 Florida FFA Area IV State Vice President and graduated

18 | FALL 2014

from UF with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education and Communication in 2010.

“The FFA Organization has opened so many doors for me and provided me with the skills needed to reach out to students who have an interest in agriculture but never believed they could go to college,” Nessmith said.

After receiving her bachelor’s, Nessmith began teaching agricultural education at Galaxy Middle School in Volusia County where she became the school’s first FFA adviser in 2010.

During her first year as an adviser, Nessmith coached a State Runner Up in the Florida FFA Creed Speaking Career Development Event. CDEs are the National FFA Organization’s competitive events that focus on leadership, career success, knowledge of agriculture and public speaking.

Nessmith, her husband Tyler, and son Brantley moved back to her hometown of Plant City when she became the academic

coordinator and student adviser of the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center.

Nessmith will also be assisting her former professor Ricky Telg in coordinating the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Professional Development Conference to be held in Kissimmee, Florida in January.

“I really enjoy working alongside my former professors,” she said. “They have been extremely helpful throughout this entire process.”

Nessmith has high hopes for the future of the AEC program at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, she said. “I hope to eventually become the professor of multiple AEC courses at UF,” Nessmith said.

alumni spotlight

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n agricultural education and communication graduate is reaping the benefits of the long hours and effort put in during her time at the University of Florida as she works for the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.

AEC alumna Hilary Webb Holley is the agriculture education coordinator for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Growing up a fifth-generation Floridian, Holley spent her childhood on a farm where she was first introduced to Florida agriculture, and throughout school was a member of her local 4-H club and later FFA. Getting involved in FFA started Holley on the road to Tallahassee as she was elected the FFA state president her senior year of high school and served the state the following year.

“At the time, I didn’t know that my time serving FFA would become so beneficial to my future,” Holley said.

During her time as president, Holley made trips to Tallahassee where she presented to the Florida House of Representatives and Senate, while also meeting with the Florida Legislature and Cabinet.

These meetings are what inspired Holley to become an agricultural education and communication major at UF. “I decided I wanted to change my major to agricultural education and communication so that I could serve as an advocate for agriculture in the political world,” Holley said.

Not only does she attribute her success to FFA, but also to

alumni spotlight: hILARY hOLLEY

By Ellen Sharpe networking throughout high school and her time at UF. “I would not have gotten the job I have today had it not been for networking,” Holley said.

During her time at UF, she was a member of the Gator Collegiate Cattlewomen, Collegiate Farm Bureau and a sorority. These memberships helped Holley form relationships with people who have assisted her in finding her place in the agriculture industry.

“It’s all about networking,” Holley said. “I think that is the most important thing a college student can do is go out and meet the people in the industry and to get to know them and what they do, and it helps when you go to find a job.”

Her goal of becoming an advocate for agriculture in politics took a large step this past summer as she accepted her position serving the Commissioner of Agriculture in Tallahassee.

As the agriculture education coordinator for the State, Holley serves alongside Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, making appearances with him and even serving in his place on certain occasions.

Working for Putnam, Holley serves as a liaison for agricultural education programs, such as 4-H, FFA and Agriculture in the Classroom.

Now being paid to represent these clubs and organizations, Holley has come full circle as she attributes her passion for Florida agriculture to these very groups.

“I don’t know if I will stay in the political world, but I will always work in agriculture,” Holley said.

19 | AECREVIEW

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AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS aSSOCIATION FOR cOMMUNICATION EXCELLENCE (ace) • Award of Excellence in Leadership and Management – Dr. Ricky Telg • Research Paper of the Year – Laura Gorham, Dr. Alexa Lamm, Dr. Joy Rumble • Article of the Year (Journal of Applied Communications) – Dr. Joy Rumble, Dr. Emily Buck (Ohio State) nORTH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES & tEACHERS OF aGRICULTURE (NACTA) • E. B. Knight Journal Award – Dr. Christopher Stripling (Univ. of Tenn.), Dr. Glenn Israel, Dr. Grady Roberts • Jack Everly Award – Sarah Burleson, Dr. Brian Myers • Teaching Award of Excellence – Dr. Ricky Telg aSSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL & EXTENSION EDUCATION (aiaee) • AIAEE Fellow – Dr. Grady Roberts, Dr. Amy Harder • 1st Place Student Abstract Presentation – Janine Parker, Dr. Alexa Lamm • Runner up, Article of the Year – Dr. Christopher Stripling, Dr. Grady Roberts 20 | FALL 2014

aMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR AGRICULTURAL education (AAAE) • Journal of Agricultural Education Author of the Year (Vol 54) – Dr. Andrew Thoron, Dr. Eric Rubenstein (UGA) • Distinguished Research Presentation Manuscript (1 of 5 awarded from among the 60 papers presented) - Keegan Gay, Dr. Joy Rumble, Dr. Alexa Lamm • Distinguished Research Presentation Manuscript (1 of 5 awarded from among the 60 papers presented) - Joey Blackburn (Washington State), Shane Robinson (Okla.

State), Dr. Alexa Lamm • Runner-Up Outstanding Dissertation Award– Dr. Joy Rumble • Runner-Up Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award - Kevan Lamm national association of agricultural educators (naae)

• Outstanding Service Citation, Region V – Dr. Ed Osborne

SPECIAL FEATURES

SCHOLARSHIPS & ENDOWMENTS With the support of valued partners and earnings from endowments, the department has awarded nearly $20,000 in scholarships to deserving undergraduate students in the department this year. Included in this total are scholarships awarded to AEC students by the Florida FFA Foundation, Florida Cattlewomen, and the Ag Institute. With our growing enrollments and the increasing costs of attending college, scholarships have become even more important in making college more affordable for students. Contributions to any of our scholarship funds and endowments are sincerely appreciated.

In addition, we have just initiated a new campaign to endow a Graduate Student Professional Development Fund, which will support graduate student research, conference travel, and professional development experiences for AEC graduate students.

GIVING

Gifts to any of our funds, as well as general department gifts, can be made online at https://www.uff.ufl.edu/OnlineGiving/ FundDetail.asp?FundCode=016319. You may designate your gift for a specific fund in the comments box. Checks should be made payable to University of Florida Foundation and mailed to AEC Department, PO Box 110540, Gainesville, FL 32611.

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS Carl E. Beeman Bishop Brothers G. Q. Bussell Omar Ergle-Floyd Philmon Elton Hinton Richard & Nell Kelly Travis Loften Max McGhee Carl & Jean Rehwinkel Ryan Rimmer Marion Roche John & Ethel Stephens D. A. Storms

GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS

Cope & Edna Newbern Endowment

PROFESSORSHIPS

John T. Barnes Endowment

21 | AECREVIEW

THE

GATOR NATION

i

IS EVERYWHERE.

OUR PH.D. GRADUATES HOLD FACULTY POSITIONS IN 27 UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE NATION. In 1999 the Department received approval for a new Ph.D. program, and the first students were enrolled in August 2000. Dr. Lori Moore (Texas A&M) and Dr. John Ricketts (Tennessee State) were the first Ph.D. graduates from the AEC Department, receiving their degrees in May 2003. Since that time, 58 students have earned their Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Education and Communication, including December 2014 graduate Dr. Jessica Holt.

22 | FALL 2014

The AEC faculty has continued to focus the Ph.D. program on preparing future faculty, and 44 (76%) of the 58 graduates to date currently hold faculty positions in 27 universities across the nation. In addition, four of our graduates hold leadership positions in international agencies, three are county Extension educators, one is a technical college administrator, and one is in private sector training and development.

The AEC graduate program continues to be a distinguishing feature and true strength of the department.

Combined with perceptions of the quality of our faculty and research, these three elements of the department primarily shape the image of the department held by peers nationally, although other dimensions of our Department (e.g., undergraduate program and extension programs) are equally strong.

SPECIAL FEATURES

STAFF RETREAT

In November, members of our AEC staff team held an all-day staff retreat at the University of Florida’s Austin Carey Memorial Forest. The staff came together to facilitate team building and encourage team growth. The staff members analyzed and discussed essential qualities of team players and got to know each other better through a personality assessment. Special thanks to Dr. Ed Osborne for speaking at the staff retreat and to Dr. Ricky Telg for administering the True Colors personality assessment. The staff members also came together to develop their own mission statement, which is found below:

“The mission of the AEC staff is to provide support to faculty, students, and stakeholders by promoting teamwork and serving the department to the best of our abilities. We are committed to ensuring the overall success of the department through communication, trust, and strong professional ethics. Additionally, we strive to maintain our department’s standing of national preeminence.”

NEW FACES IN AEC

Dr. Dana Bigham Assistant Professor, Leadership Education

Jennifer Wert Coordinator, Challenge 2050 Project

Raichel White IT Specialist 23 | AECREVIEW

Department of Agricultural Ed

leaders of agricultural education “ Administrative departments/programs in the U.S. have ranked

the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication (AEC) at the University of Florida as the top department among the 82 such academic units in the nation. Respondents cited the quality of the graduate program, faculty, and research programs as the department’s outstanding features.

”

ucation and Communication october 2014

AECREVIEW UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication 305 Rolfs Hall PO Box 110540 Gainesville, FL 32611-0540 352-392-0502 Scan to view our website. aec.ifas.ufl.edu