My Minor in Nutrition

    I always get a little excited with the beginning of every new school year.  It is almost like a new year, and this semester I am excited to begin my classes for my minor. I am finding an interest in nutrition.
     Any time I tell people my minor I get, "Oohh, animal nutrition right?" I know that the production side of agriculture is very important, but that's what it is. A side. There is another side, a side where consumers go to super markets and farmers markets to get their food. I believe that they just want to know what is safe and healthy for them to eat.
     This last summer at the farmers market helped open my mind on the consumer side. I was able to promote healthy living at the market, and I loved it! I know that I do not have the healthiest appetite (I am always up for a Taco Bell run) but I know that balance is key to a healthy life.
     That is why I am excited for my nutrition classes, I am excited to start learning about food. As a result, my posts on here might be a little different. I will keep writing about agriculture, but I will add a twist and focus on the food side. This may include some recipes that I find (and try!) or different things that I think about in class. So I hope you guys enjoy the new school year!

FMO Internship: Training Day

     I did not notice until today that in a little over two weeks  my freshmen year at Missouri State will come to an end. With the semester ending that means summer will begin, along with my internship at Farmers Market of the Ozarks. Well today was my first day there and I began my training!

     I was able to learn about the set up of the market, where everything was from inventory to extra tables. I was also taught how to use the square pay system and how to exchange tokens for cash. I really love this system that the market uses. Not all of the vendors use the square system, so the market has a booth that will exchange a credit card payment for the desired amount in tokens. The tokens do not expire, all of the vendors take them, and you can get cash back. The market also accepts EBT cards, where customers can get tokens for produce. I love that this system can be a great tool to bring the community together to get fresh, local food! :)
   
     I can not wait to start on May 11th, this internship is something that will help fuel my love for agriculture!

In A Blink Of An Eye

     In less than ten days I move into my own apartment. In 12 days I will be an active member of Sigma Alpha. In 30 days I will have already finished my freshmen year at Missouri State and will be starting my first internship. If this next month is anything like the last three it will be gone before I know it. 

Ghost Town on Campus

     My first spring break. Normally I would have headed straight back home to enjoy the semi-enjoyable Missouri weather with my family. Recently though I was hired on at the Granddaddy of Bass Pro's as a food runner for the conference center there. So I am staying on campus and enjoying the silence. 

     Well... Maybe there is a little too much silence. All of the dining halls are closed this week, I think that is just karma for the lack of excitement when I went to eat there beforehand. So Aldis has been a lifesaver, I was able to get a loaf of bread for only $0.99. I got a little too excited about that.  

Just hanging around:)

     Other than the lack of ready-to-eat food, I have been enjoying my spring break. I go to work, sleep, do homework, and know that I will get a decent parking spot when I come back from work. Not a rough week. 

     And when spring break ends, that means the second block of classes will start. I will add another class to my Monday nights. We will see how exciting Missouri Government will be. :) That also means that this semester is almost over, I will have successfully completed my freshmen year at Missouri State. A lot has happened this past year, and I am excited for what the next few hold for me!

Why FFA Is Not "Lame AF" To Me

     Within the last day I have seen an article shared on my Facebook feed titled FFA is Lame AF. Many of my friends involved in the organization shared their opinion on how this article was anything but the truth. I would put it on here to show you guys, but I really do not want to give it any more attention than it already has.

     The National FFA Organization is not only about livestock, like the article says. Members can be involved in plant science, public speaking, leadership, ag mechanics and woodworking. FFA helps prepare high school students to not only be involved leaders in agriculture, but to also be responsible citizens.