My highlights of 2009...

The last few weeks I have been reflecting upon the past 12 months. While I probably say this most years, my 2009 happenings, combined with major milestones accomplished this year,have seemed to top all previous years. I hope this sentiment holds true for the many glorious years to come, but in the meantime... a look into Stacie's 2009.

January started off with a bang, as I boarded the plane and began my 6-week journey throughout Brazil. Armed with 90 lbs. of luggage, 18 friends and classmates, and all the excitement in the world, I felt so very fortunate to travel and study abroad. January (and most of February) allowed for many new adventures. I was able to hike through the rain forest, visit many farms and see Brazilian agriculture first-hand, stay with an incredible host family, and learn more about the history and agricultural economics of this incredible country. February continued my Brazil trip, but also landed me back in the states to enjoy a lot of time with my family and friends. Was awarded Outstanding Member of the Saddle and Sirloin Club and enjoyed traveling back and forth to Columbus to visit with friends before school started back up.

March wrapped up my Alpha Zeta Partners experience with a trip to Washington D.C. My Grandma has always told me I have "potomac fever"and I understand why each time I get back inside the beltway. I love visiting the monuments time and time again, seeing our governing body at work, and learning more about the organizations dedicated to agricultural policy work in D.C. Our AZP group enjoyed 4 days in the city and got to meet with several organizations.

April was a month of big decisions for me. With graduation only a few months away, I spent a lot of time applying for full-time positions with a variety of companies and applying to graduate programs in Agricultural communication. After a lot of soul-searching, I decided my heart still belonged here at Ohio State, and I decided to stay on as a graduate teaching associate and pursue my Masters degree. (a decision I definitely don't regret!) April also allowed my best friend Erin and I to take a road trip to Manhattan, KS to see lots of great friends!

May brought with it my favorite time of the year: MY BIRTHDAY!! I spent most of May with my family and friends, who thankfully, gave way to my declared week-long birthday celebration! I also was able to be a narrator at the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Recognition Banquet and was named a top 10 senior within the college.

June kicked off my summer internship with Farm Credit Services of Mid-America in Washington Courthouse, OH. My mentor, Jeff Hoak, allowed me to learn the ins and outs of the ag lending system in a hands-on environment. While the internship lasted throughout the summer, June allowed me to meet other interns, attend many farm sales, and meeting with key customers of FCS. June was also exciting as two of my very best friends got married. I was honored to be a part of the wedding of Angela Pickerel and Arik Witker at the end of the month. What a beautiful couple and wonderful celebration!

July continued my internship experience at Farm Credit. I also worked diligently on my 12 credits of online courses to complete my undergrad degree. I was able to spend a lot of time at home with my family as well.

August was spent at the Wood County and Ohio State fairs. I always enjoy watching the next generation of 4-H and FFA members continue to participate in the many traditions of competition, showmanship, and of course, FUN, that come along with county fairs. The end of the August was ultimate highlight of my year. On August 30th I received my Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree from The Ohio State University. Topped off by nearly 15 of my family members present at my ceremony, I was honored and shocked to be a part of President E. Gordon Gee's commencement address.
September brought about my first quarter of graduate school and the always exciting football season for The Ohio State Buckeyes!! I enjoyed beginning my teaching experience, getting into the swing of graduate level classes, and meeting new classmates. Football gave me a reason to tailgate with great friends and even entertain a visit from friends Hyatt, Brandi, and Doug for the big USC game.

October was a huge month of campaigning and issue work for Ohio agriculture. As many of you have read in previous posts, I tried to work as an advocate for animal agriculture as we began our fight against the radical group HSUS. In my spare time I read up on blogs, wrote letters to the editor, and tried to spread the good word about farmers and Ohio ag in an effort to ensure the passing of Ohio Issue 2.

November got off to a great start with the passing of Issue 2. My brother Chad and Aunt Joan also came to visit in November and attending the big OSU-Iowa game with me in the Horseshoe. OSU also clenched a big ten football title with a big win over rival Michigan.

December was extremely exciting for me, as I always enjoy the month leading up to Christmas. After wrapping up my first quarter of graduate school and finishing up exams, I kicked off Christmas Break by spending some quality time with the Boxley side of the family at my Uncle Howard's in Dayton. I traveled home to Christmas shop, visit with my wonderful Grandparents, and pack for a week-long family trip to the Dominican Republic. We had a quite enjoyable white-sand Christmas in the 85 degree weather of the DR. I returned to the US to welcome my best friend Erin's new baby girl Claire Louise Limes Lampe (born on Dec. 24th) and to hear of the exciting engagement of my other best friend and college roommate Allison Agle to her boyfriend Luke. I wrapped up 2009 with a two days spent with good friends Hyatt Frobose and Brandi Buzzard on their visit to Wood County.Now, in January of 2010 I look forward to so much... building upon the many relationships mentioned above, planning future travels, spending time with my supportive family, and continuing to take advantage of all the opportunities my great university, state, and country have afforded me.

To each of you reading, I thank you for the role you have played in another outstanding year of my life. I appreciate your love, support, encouragement, laughter, and advice along the way.

Check back for my updates and adventures coming soon! (I plan to blog more in 2010...hopefully I can stick to it!!)

Vote YES on Issue 2

Believe it or not, each and every resident of not only my state, but our entire country, has some connection to the traditional occupation of farming. Whether they have experienced the hardwork and satisfaction of exhibiting a market animal at a county fair, visited a local farm as a part of a school or leadership visit, or simply purchased meat and animal products at our local grocery, each citizen has somehow made a conscious decision to support local agriculturalists.

While many take these luxuries for granted, I consider my community blessed with such strong agriculture supporters, programming, and funding. Personally, I feel quite fortunate to be able to travel only minutes from home to see how my food is produced. Area farmers and livestock producers literally connect the farm gate to the consumer plate, as they provide a healthy and safe food supply for our community.

The very safety of that food supply is in jeopardy in the Buckeye state. The Humane Society of the United States has made their agenda in Ohio quite clear: slowly erode, and eventually banish, animal agriculture. Much like their most recent campaign in California, Wayne Pacelle and other HSUS officials have promised an Ohio invasion in 2010 if compromises aren’t made on the production of our livestock.

In an effort to protect our largest industry, Ohio farmers, politicians, commodity organizations, and business leaders have joined together in an effort to keep HSUS from controlling our right to local, safe, and efficient production of animal products. Passing in the Ohio House and Senate in July of 2009, a bipartisan resolution was created to put Issue 2 on the ballot. Issue 2, a proposed constitutional amendment, would create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. This board will enable Ohio livestock and poultry farmers to continue to provide excellent care to their animals, while also protecting our food supply and keeping affordable, locally-raised food available for consumers.

It is more important than ever that we not only spread the word about Issue 2 around Ohio, but educate other agriculturalists in the United States about the potential consequences extreme animal activist groups could create with their unreasonable requests. If these groups had their way, it would almost guarantee higher food costs for consumers, put food safety at risk, increase the amount of food imported to Ohio, cause thousands of family farmers to go out of business, and endanger the overall health and well-being of Ohio's flocks and herds.

To continue support for Ohio’s largest industry, I spend much of my time educating voters on the importance of Issue 2. As a state, and an industry, must take a stand by voting YES on Issue 2 on November 3^rd. By maintaining excellent care of food animals in our state, Issue 2 will help to ensure the availability of safe, locally-grown, affordable meat, milk and eggs. By passing Issue 2, each voter will also help sustain the viability of Ohio’s agriculture community, including the jobs it provides and the many economic contributions it makes. Issue 2 will protect our local family farms, and will keep animal control where it belongs—right here in Ohio.

Summer in full swing!

The last few weeks have been both busy and fun for me. The weekend of the 26th I was honored to be a bridesmaid for my dear friend Angela Pickerel, as she married the love of her life, Arik, and became Mrs. Witker! While we worried and worried about the sweltering weather approaching, Saturday turned out to be a perfect day for the big event! With beautiful flowers by Todd Sheets, Angie and Arik said their "I Do's" at Bethlehem Church and followed with a fun-filled reception at Riverview Banquet center in Pemberville.

Heading back from an exhausting weekend, I completed my 3rd (yes, it was only 4 days) week at Farm Credit Services of Mid-America. I really like all the staff here in Washington Court House and have a great time learning about the organization and checking things off my project t0-d0 list.

This past weekend brought more wedding bells (and fireworks), as my cousin Kylie married Paul Lemon on on the 4th of July Saturday. The wedding at St. Al's was beautiful, with another awesome reception at the Lenhart Grand Ballroom at BGSU. After the wedding, I headed to the fireworks in BG with some friends, and home to rest up. Wrapped up the weekend with a family cook-out Sunday and some homework-- how exciting! It was great to see lots of family over the long holiday weekend!

6 am came early this morning, as I am back to work for the rest of the week. Just keep plugging away at my marketing projects for Farm Credit and my online classes to finish up my degree at Ohio State!

Hope all is well with my "followers"

Stacie

Summer is finally here!

After a grueling 26 hour course load this quarter, I can say I am DONE! Today ended my finals week, and after studying, taking tests, and turning in a final paper, spring quarter is over. While this is my last spring quarter--as an undergrad-- I am super excited for summer to begin. ** to the right is my good friend Renee Starkey and I with our Top Ten Senior awards at the CFAES Banquet.

Speaking of summer, I have so much to look forward-- my next few weeks look like this:

This weekend (June 12th) I will be traveling home friday night to attend my good friend Angie's Bachelorette Party at Put-In-Bay on Saturday. Sunday I will make a quick visit to Columbus to carry the college banner and assist in spring commencement ceremonies. Sunday night I will return home once again, and help Aunt Joan enjoy her week at the lake on Monday and Tuesday.

Wednesday starts my internship at Farm Credit Services of Mid-America in Washington Courthouse, OH. I am very excited to work for such a great organization, and am eager to learn more about farm lending.
** to the left is the awesome cake FCS got me for my bday during training!

June 26th brings a very exciting weekend-- as I will be headed home as early as possible on Friday to get ready for Angie Pickerel and Arik Witker's wedding. I am very honored to be serving as a bridesmaid for Angie, and am sure to have a great weekend full of memories as I attend their rehearsal dinner and wedding.

Fourth of July brings about another big weekend- as my cousin Kylie Korsnack will be getting married here in Bowling Green. I am very excited to see a lot of my family who will be in town for the wedding!

Things start to wind down for a while after the weddings, but no fear, August brings about more excitement, as I will have county fair, state fair, and of course GRADUATION to look forward too!


In the mean time, thanks to all of you for your Birthday wishes! I was able to enjoy my birthday over the entire weekend with family dinners, lunches, and tons of time with my close friends. I was even lucky enough to celebrate my birthday the following weekend when I traveled to see Uncle Howard, Aunt Denise, James and Brittany outside of Dayton! I am so blessed!

** Chad, me, and Brittnay out in BG on my 21st Birthday!

As a follow up to my birthday-- Grandma Wenig got me a really neat address book and recipe box for my 21st birthday. If all of you, and yes I mean ALL, would take a second to think of a favorite recipe (or two or three) of yours or something we have shared together and send that to me -- along with your address for my address book-- I would really appreciate it!

Love to all!
Stacie

Plans for 2009....

After much debate, advice from others, and some real soul-searching, I finally have plans for next year. With much enthusiasm, I will still remain a student in the fall of 09. I will be starting a masters program in Agricultural Communications and will still be in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences here at Ohio State. While my job search yielded offers, and serious consideration with Syngenta, my love and pride for Ohio State cannot be denied.

**at the right, Me, and my friends and neighbors Jena and Gus spell out the O-H-I-O tradition in D.C. in March.... with a little help from the Washington Monument of course!

I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity, and owe much thanks to the faculty I have worked with over the past three years, in addition to my mentors in the Dean's office, for their help in providing me this opportunity. . As many of you know I am an active College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Ambassador where I spend a lot of my free time recruiting students to the university and our specific college. During my graduate admissions process, I knew I had made the right decision when these roles were reversed, and the faculty and administration of CFAES made special efforts to retain me in their graduate programs. I am so very EXCITED to start back in a new role and am eager to share with all of you as this next phase unfolds.

**picture is of my best friend, Erin, friend Dustin Brown, and I at the Wood County 4-H Camp Counselor reunion a few weeks ago!

In other news, we are almost half way through spring quarter!! Classes, clubs, and preparing for our College Recognition Banquet are keeping me quite busy. On May 7th I will be serving as a narrator for our college wide banquet and will be named a Top 20 Senior-- one of our college's top awards. In addition to our college awards, I will be having dinner (along with other students) next week with E. Gordon Gee-- Ohio State University President, as I am recognized as in the President's Salute to Outstanding Academic Achievement.


Oh.. and if I couldn't forget-- I bought a new car! Well actually a mid-size SUV-- but none-the-less... I am now a proud owner of a red Mercury Mariner (yes, Uncle Bob and I are twins) and passed on my blue chevy truck to a 16 year old first time driver at home!

Hope this finds all of you well! Make sure to email, call, or heck-- COME VISIT me!

With love,
Stacie

Back in the States!

Needless to say, I had the time of my life in Brazil this winter. I hope each of you enjoyed following along as I posted my thoughts, activities, and a few pictures about my journey through Central America. I was so very fortunate to travel to wonderful places, learn so much about the agribusiness and production agriculture climate in Brazil, and meet so many amazing people throughout the 6 weeks. ** To the right is a picture of my host family and I on one of my last nights in Piracicaba!

So.. you are probably wondering... Whats next for me?

Well, that is a good question-- and if I knew for certain, I would share my plan with all of you. BUT- with many opportunities still out to jury, I will just update you on what I have been doing in the 4 weeks since my return to the states.

I have been able to spend quite a bit of time at home in Bowling Green. From family game nights, attending Cate's first 4-H meeting with her and a few basketball games, catching up with family and friends, and getting some quality rest and relaxation, I have stayed quite busy.

In addition to time at home, I have also spent some time in Columbus catching up at club meetings and such. Two weeks ago I spent 2 days in Minneapolis interviewing for a job with Syngenta Seeds, and I spent last week in Washington D.C. with my Alpha Zeta Partners group studying organizational change by meeting with several agriculturally-related organizations.

Now, I find myself back at home for just 5 more days before school starts back up again for Spring quarter! I am very excited for my spring quarter classes and schedule (Yes, I am a dork) and for the spring excitement on campus in Columbus.

When spring quarter wraps up in June, I will be staying in Columbus for the summer to complete an internship with Farm Credit Services of Mid-America and will be taking my FINAL 2 Classes at Ohio State before graduating in August!

Eleven day trip!!

We headed off last wednesday night to begin our 11 day trip all around Brazil. As of tonight, we are in our 5th hotel and have at least made pit stops in nearly 20 cities. While the last 4-5 days have started running together with little sleep and long bus rides in between-- I will try to recap a few of the highlights.

- Friboi/JBS Beef Processing Plant- here we got to walk through the whole process-- literally from unloading the truck, stun gun, removing the skin, halving, cuts, and all the way to processed corned beef ready for the shelf!! Very interesting, but definitely not for those with weak stomachs!

- Nova India Semen Farm- we got to visit this farm, featuring over 30 head of Brazil's top bulls, and tour their holding pens, embryo transfer facility, laboratories, and even watched them make a few collections.

- Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture- we visited the Brazilian equiavlent to the USDA yesterday and got to learn about the different sectors of agriculture around the country, ask lots of questions, and drew many conclusions about the similarities and differences between agricultural support programs in the US.

- CNA (similar to US Farm Bureau)- one of the most interesting places we visited! We spoke with representatives about lobbying the government, agricultural education and vocational training, and the leadership among Brazilian farmers in controlling policy decisions.

- HOT SPRINGS!! Best day ever! We got to spend the entire day Saturday at a Brazilian equivalent outdoor water park! After 8 hours of floating thru the lazy river, fighting the waves in the wave pool, and reading an entire book, I was sufficiently RED but loved the relaxing day!

Other visits have included: ABCZ- Brazilian Zebu Cattle Association, Beef Feedlots, Driving Tour of the Capital of Brazil-- Brasilia, visit to INMET- the national meteoroloy institute of Brazil, any several road stops along the way!!

With 5 more days of travel left before heading back to Piracicaba, we are running low on sleep and are quite sick of sitting on our bus for 4-5 hours a day, but are ENJOYING every minute!!

**sorry no pictures, internet is kind of slow and pictures take far too long to upload!