Prompt 3: Communicating in the Agriculture Field

- Abbie W.

I was fortunate enough to have Julie Thelen take the time for me to talk to her about her job in agriculture. Thelen’s position in her field is working as a Michigan State University extension educator along with 4-H livestock and veterinarian science coordinator. Some of her many duties for this position include creating program curriculum and coordinating events for 4-H members, age 9-19, and 4-H volunteers. In addition, to staff learning programs and setting up stake holders to work with and educate the youth. When asked why she chose this field, Thelen said “It was a natural extension to k-12 education in serving as an educator role”. Thelen received her undergraduate degrees in agriculture education and animal science here at Michigan State University. Furthermore, she completed her teaching certificate while at Michigan State. She later received her Master’s in education through Purdue while teaching in Indiana.

In terms of writing in the field it is extremely important and she uses written communication daily. Emails take up much of her day, responding to correspondents and answering the questions of many youths. The second form of writing that she uses on a daily basis is writing out curriculum and developing resources. Curriculum is typically on animal science development. Topics are focused on how to properly care and raise animals for their best well being. As well, as biosecurity and zoonotic education needs are addressed and fitting in any other stakeholder needs as determined. Resource development is found in the form of monthly newsletters. These newsletters discuss current topics in youth development and links to other resources that may be of help.

A major misconception in this field is production agriculture is dying and the need for agriculture education is no longer necessary. This is, however, the opposite as production agriculture is as important as ever to feed the ever growing population. This encompasses the need to educate the next generation, hence a greater need for agriculture educators. Other misconceptions relate to her position individually. “A lot of people assume I have a Ph. D; I get a lot of emails addressed Doctor”. While it is required to have a Master’s for this position it is not required to have a PhD. The greatest way to dispel misconceptions is through verbal and nonverbal ways, verbally is by attending conferences and nonverbally through newsletters and email.

Thelen’s favorite part of being in this field are the options are limitless. There is a vast amount of opportunities and you can set up for yourself a wide variety of expectations. You can constantly improve and continue to learn something new. Challenges faced in this field is that it is a large time commitment with not a lot of compensation. To continue, the field is primarily male dominated at state and national levels. Finally clientale is continuously changing and you have to be prepared for any possible health outbreaks.