Seeing Blue in Arizona

Last week a group of the Ag Ambassadors went on a trip to Tucson, Arizona to attend the 2013 Ag Ambassador Leadership Summit. When I found out that I was going on this trip, I was absolutely ecstatic. Before arriving, I expected the trip to consist of bonding with my fellow Ambassadors from UK and seeing the Grand Canyon. Little did I know I was wrong. I was introduced to some of the best people that I have ever met and we all had a common bond- our love for agriculture. 

Ag Ambassadors from the University of Arizona, University of Georgia, University of Florida, and The Ohio State University attended the Leadership Summit as well. Throughout the week we traveled all over the state of Arizona learning about agriculture and even crossed the state line into California! On the first day we started with introductions and a presentation from Dow AgroSciences, who was a sponsor of the Ag Ambassador Leadership Summit. As I looked around at my fellow Ambassadors, I know immediately it was going to be a great week. The room was full of diversity, but we were all similar in our passion for agriculture. The group traveled to Mount Lemmon where we saw awesome scenic views and learned about the different landscapes that are found in Arizona. As we started to climb the mountain, the weather was warm and sunny, but in a matter of minutes we were surrounded by snow! I never thought that I would see snow in Arizona! 

             Throughout the course of the next couple days, we visited Santa Rita Experimental Range, Yuma Valley Experiment Station, the Mexican border, Greenpack processing plant and the GRAND CANYON, among other places! I learned more than I ever thought I would by attending the Leadership Summit. My entire life I have lived on a tobacco farm. Legal immigrant workers are hired to help out with the manual labor. Being able to see where their journey starts (at the Mexican border) was eye opening. I didn’t realize the strict policies that are enforced when crossing the border and how hard it actually can be to legally get to the United States. Not only are people crossing the border each and every day, but goods are as well. Every truck that comes into the United States has to be checked to insure that foreign diseases will not get into our food supply. Living in Kentucky I had never really thought about how this could impact me, but now I do. At the experiment stations, we learned about wildlife and crops. When we visited the Yuma Valle y Experiment Station I ate the best piece of broccoli I had ever consumed in my entire life! To make it even better, the broccoli came right out of the field. I picked it myself! Another aspect about Arizona that I was astonished about was how scarce their water supply is. Arizona receives 3 inches of rain every year on average! Whenever farmers are growing crops, they have to order the amount of water they will need one week in advance. Yes, I said ORDER. This made me realize how much I take advantage of water availability in Kentucky. The Grand Canyon was definitely a sight to see. It was beautiful and something everyone should experience in their lives. 

            Overall, the people that I met on this trip were awesome! I loved Arizona and didn’t want to leave. Also, I was privileged to eat “legit" Mexican food from the region while I was there. The guacamole was by far the best I had ever had! The 2013 Ag Ambassador Leadership Summit is an experience that I will never forget because not only did I gain knowledge about agriculture, but I made memories that will last a lifetime!

Go BIG BLUE!

Hanna

Sweet Summertime

Once again the school year has come to an end for UK students. Finally, it’s summertime. Bags have been packed, dorm rooms cleaned out and the journey home completed. The next twelve weeks until the fall semester begins are to be relished upon, soaking up every last drop of freedom and sunshine for most students.

Then there are the recent graduates of our prestigious university. A portion is headed back to school in the fall to pursue masters and doctoral degrees, others are starting “big kid” jobs and some are still determining just what their future might hold. 

I fall into this last group, 2012 alumnus of the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Bachelors of Science degree in Agricultural Economics. In the days since I made the walk across the stage and received my diploma and a handshake from President Capilouto.  

COA ambassadors at Disney

I have been asked countless times “How does it feel to be a graduate?” And to that I answer this, it’s bittersweet. I have grown to love this place, but more importantly the people here. For the past week, I have been in denial that it would all end so soon, that my time here at UK was over. But then I remembered one very important thing- while the places and people surrounding me may change, the memories in my heart will always remain. I will always BLEED BLUE no matter where life may take me. 

Jennifer and her graduation gift- a metal chicken.

As I look back on my four years here, I can’t help but smile. They have been the best years of my life, filled with countless lessons, amazing friends, epic adventures and the best of times. The big blue nation has given so much to each and every one of us, students and alumni alike.   While each of us will be spending our summers’ differently, one thing will always remain the same: we will all BLEED BLUE!  

 

Jennifer is a 2012 graduate of the University of Kentucky, majoring in Agricultural Economics.  She is from Coatesville, Indiana.  Jennifer was a member of  UK Block and Bridle, Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT), Agriculture Student Council, and was COA Agricultural Ambassador for three years. Jennifer has accepted a full-time position with Dow AgroSciences.