EKU Agriculture Ambassadors at National FFA

Six students from Eastern Kentucky University represented the Colonels well at the National FFA Career Show and Collegiate Expo on October 29-November 1 held in Louisville, Ky.

The AG Ambassadors were:

• Mollie Borchers, senior Agribusiness Management, Corinth, Ky.
• Jocelyn McKay , junior Agribusiness Management, Spencer, Ind.
• Megan Moore, senior Agriculture Education, Williamsburg, Ky.
• Ashley Owens, senior Animal Science,  Crab Orchard, Ky.
• Ethan Snyder,  senior Agronomy and Natural Resources,  Vine Grove, Ky.
• Brent Tingle, senior Agronomy & Natural Resources and Agricultural Systems Management, Shelbyville, Ky.

The National FFA event was held for high schoolers from all areas of the United States. According to group advisor Dr. Mike McDermott who accompanied them on the trip, “The students spent three days recruiting high school students to attend Eastern Kentucky University. The booth has been successful because we have students currently attending EKU who were first exposed to the university at this career show. “

Ambassador Jocelyn McKay is one of those students. She was recruited to the university at a FFA Career Show and Collegiate Expo herself. According to McKay, "The convention opens up many possibilities for the future in agriculture, whether higher education or simply a job right outside of high school. I know four short years ago I was that high school senior who had no direction on where I wanted to go for college until I came across EKU's booth. So that booth four years ago opened up a road to be a Colonel and I wouldn't trade anything about it. I love my school, I love my major, and most of all I love EKU agriculture!" Soon, she’ll join the ranks of EKU Agriculture alumni who frequently attend these events, stopping by the booth to display Colonel pride and talk about their own experiences.

Eastern Kentucky University AG Ambassadors have their own unique ways of promoting their program. They talk to prospective students face-to-face, hand out brochures, display demonstrations, and even use a bit of technology. “The students use iPads to display photos of our current college students doing a variety of lab activities at Meadowbrook farm and our horticulture facilities,” Dr. McDermott elaborated.

The 2015 National FFA Career Show and Collegiate Expo will also be held in Louisville, Kentucky. Our students definitely plan on heading out once again to recruit the next proud class and possibly, new Agriculture Ambassadors themselves.

-written by McKenna Bowling, Student Assistant
Office of the Dean, EKU College of Business and Technology

Published on November 03, 2014