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. 

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.

Too Excited For Homework

     As my first semester of college draws to an end, I have learned that I am terrible at multitasking. At the moment I am down in the laundry room and trying to work on a paper while my clothes are in the washing machine. That only works when I know what to say in the paper. So why not trying to get those writing juices by typing one more post before I fly out of the country?

It Is Just A Conversation

     Almost everyday there are men and women who come to the campus and hand out pamphlets for this organization or hand out bibles, I have even been given breakfast food this past week. Today there was a man handling out pamphlets about converting to a vegan diet! This guy made me laugh, I can eat a steak like it is nobody's business.

My First Time Not Going To National Convention

     There has been so much that has gone on, and I feel terrible for not posting about ANY of it! It just hit me that FFA National Convention is over and it is the first of November, and I have not written a single post about my college experience. 

A New Year Is Coming!

    So I have gotten in a bad habit of not posting on my blog, I keep using the excuse that I am too busy and I will do it tomorrow...and tomorrow never comes. I realize that tomorrow will come, but also with a new year.

#SeniorSunday

   #SeniorSunday; just like #MCM or #TBT is a social media hash tag that lets seniors in high school show off their senior photos on a weekly basis... So naturally I am going to participate.

My first #SeniorSunday 

Homecoming Week is Over!

     It still has not hit me that this is my senior year, and it probably wont for a while. This past week though has been a big help in making me realize that this is in fact my last year of high school. Homecoming is always crazy for me, but this past week exceeded all of my expectations!

Why Not Try This?: Farmers' Market

    I honestly love farmers' markets, it is a way for communities to connect while providing a source of local produce to the consumer.
     We have a farmers' market in my hometown, but my favorite one is in Springfield, Missouri; Farmer's Market of the Ozarks.

Never Procrastinate When You Have to Keep a Recordbook

    With school starting that also means that FFA is starting to pick back up. This year I am taking Agribusiness Management and I am really excited.

They Forgot to Mention the Random Jobs an Officer Does

    This summer has been a busy one with Area Officer responsibilities. It started in June with Area Officer Institute (AOI), to today while working at the Missouri State Fair. But I think someone forgot to warn us about some of the not-so-nice jobs that come along with the title.

The First of Many Lasts and The Begining to a New Chapter

    Today was my last first day of school and also my eighteenth birthday! Being a senior in high school doesn't seem real right now, I can remember being my younger brother and going to high school as a freshman.

Agvocate Spotlight: Peterson Farm Brothers

    If you haven't heard of the Peterson Farm Brothers you may be living under a rock. They are proof that anyone can share their agriculture story, no matter how old you are. These three brothers ( Greg, Kendal, and Nathan) make parody music videos of popular pop songs. To be honest, I prefer their version. I also do not care for pop music most of the time. Anyway these three get to be the first in the Agvocate Spotlight!

Missouri Amendment 1

    It seems to be that when an 18 year old is interested in registering to vote is only during the presidential election. Being the one that supports Missouri Agriculture, I was really excited that I could vote YES for "Right to Farm" Amendment 1.

And Let FFA Season Begin!

   I apologize once again for not posting anything for a while. But I have a good excuse, at least it is a good excuse in my book, but Missouri FFA season is picking up! These past two weeks have been filled with FFA, it is my favorite time of the school year. :)

FFA Week in Review

    Sorry I haven't posted in a couple weeks, my life has been crazy with FFA. We just wrapped up FFA Week and we are getting ready to start contest teams. I will talk about that later, FFA Week is the topic of the day for me!

Agriculture Isn't Just For Farmers

    Our friends at Monsanto Seed Company has provided us another video to enjoy. Many of my friends
believe that because I want to have a career in agriculture means I am going to farm. I don't know what I want to do. I have several majors in mind, but I know I want to be in agriculture. Animal science, agriculture communications, agriculture business; I feel like my desired major changes everyday! Enjoy the video below to see what careers are offered in the agriculture industry.

Amateur Ham Curer Over Here...

    Last year I added to my SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience) and cure a ham. Well I wasn't able to start it myself, I had a basketball game that night. So my brother got my ham started. He cured a ham as a 4H project because he is in middle school. But this year I will be able to be apart of the project from start to finish.

Thank a Farmer!

    Today is the second snow day for me this week, and probably not the last! So while I am sitting around trying to keep myself occupied, I have an announcement! This fine blizzard of week  is 'Thank a Farmer Week'. Go out into the weather and thank your friendly neighborhood farmer!  I am sure they would appreciate it (bringing a cup of hot coffee wouldn't hurt either)!