(Not So) Wordless Wednesday: Agricultural Business Learning Community Wrap Up

Last week was the last organized meeting I had with the Agricultural Business Learning Community I peer mentor. It was actually kind of sad to stand at the front on the class collecting student evaluation forms, congratulating each kid on a successful semester thus far, knowing I would never teach the class again. On the other hand, I couldn't help smile with each "Thank you", "I learned a lot!", or "You helped Iowa State feel like home."

Since the last Wordless Wednesday featuring our group, the team has done some exciting things! The pumpkins we decorated were personally delivered by a group of Team Leaders and Peer Mentors to Northcrest Community and received by smiling faces eager to hear about our Iowa State experiences.

Three faculty members came to class to answer questions about future coursework and their classroom policies. Each shared valuable advice about balancing involvements, studying abroad, and searching for jobs. As a student I feel so fortunate we have the opportunity to get to know our professors personally.

Our students were generously hosted by Roger Underwood for one last dinner with faculty and staff. As always, it was a great time of casual networking and delicious food. His beautiful barn was full of freshmen, transfer students, and Peer Mentors. Meals like that are what really makes the Ag Business program feel like family.

Finally, freshmen met in small groups to register for spring classes and ask questions regarding their coursework for the next 4 years. Of course the night wasn't complete without pictures and pizza!

Looking back, applying to be a peer mentor was one of the best decisions I've made in my college career. The past two years have flown by and I feel so privileged to have been a part of tomorrow's leaders' college experience. I can't wait to work with them all to feed and fuel the world in a few short years! Thanks for reading!

Wordless Wednesday: Ag Business Learning Community Adventures

One of the most rewarding things I've been a part of on the Iowa State campus has been the Agricultural Business Learning Community. As a freshman, this group helped me find the clubs I'd most enjoy, answered my questions about business dress codes, and guided my class choices for the rest of my college career. For the past two years, I've been employed as a peer mentor in this program teaching students how to prepare for career fair and helping them discover their passion in agriculture.

The program is a class that meets twice a week. Most of the time we listen to guest speakers, explore campus resources, or work hard on improving resumes and 4 year plans. Occasionally, we have time to let loose and enjoy the fall season. This week, after many students completed their first round of midterms, we painted pumpkins for a local nursing home and visited Center Grove Orchard. The orchard took time to give us a behind the scenes tour and teach our team about marketing strategy. This week's Wordless Wednesday features the adventures of our relaxed week.

I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse of our Learning Community adventures as much as we enjoyed getting creative, jumping on the jumping pillow, and munching on caramel apples! Happy fall! Thanks for reading!

Fields of Corn Photo Contest

Today at work, while snooping around the Iowa Corn sTalk blog for some details on an upcoming event I ran across an exciting post. The National Corn Growers Association is hosting a "Fields of Corn" Photo Contest! It's a good thing it was close to my lunch hour when I made this discovery because I couldn't stop thinking of all the photos gathering cyber dust on my hard drive sitting at home. My pictures could be put to use telling the world about agriculture!! As soon as I took my break I began jotting down photos that came to mind and photographer friends to encourage to enter.

All this excitement brings me to a couple basic requests. If you are a farmer, love country life, live in the rural Midwest, are passionate about agriculture, or any and all of the above take a few minutes to submit a few photos. Who knows, your images may be used to explain to millions of consumers the industry and lifestyle we love! If you don't have any pictures to share, take some time look through the submissions and vote for your favorites. (I've submitted several and would appreciate your vote!)  :) Below are some of the pictures I plan to enter.

"Country Curves"

"Homestead Sunset"

"Harvest Me"