"You never know when you'll meet someone, who with one conversation, will set up the trajectory of their life because you shared your story."
After a fun-filled Farm Camp focused on the barns at the U of M Crookston Campus, we asked Amberly Cox, our Farm Camp AgHost, to share some thoughts on her experience.
Get to know Amberly and her passion to share the agricultural story with students in Minnesota.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
My name is Amberly and I am the Assistant Director of Recruitment at the University of Minnesota Crookston and also a UMN Crookston alumni. I am originally from Minneapolis but grew up riding horses and knew that I wanted to go to a college that allowed for me to continue learning about horses and the industry. I graduated with a degree in Agricultural Business and a minor in Equine Science. I knew I did not want to be a horse trainer or a vet so that is why I decided to focus a little more on the business side, but still include the horses. I now work in admissions at UMN Crookston helping students find and determine if UMN Crookston is the best fit for them. It is a very fun job for me because I had such a great experience here that it is easy for me to talk about all the opportunities I had as a student and teach students how they can also find similar opportunities for themselves here.
The University of Minnesota Crookston campus is part of the 5 campus University of Minnesota System. We are one of the smaller campuses with our average class size of only 16 students (which as an alumni I can tell you that is a true number!). Some of our most popular majors on campus do fall under the Agriculture and Natural Resources department, mostly because of the amazing facilities that we have on campus, and our surrounding environment. But we do not have just Ag majors, we have 36 majors that also include business, management, health science, education, and more! Many of our majors are also offered fully online for students as well.
How do you think students benefit from learning about agriculture in Minnesota?
I think Minnesota has such a rich history of agriculture and a huge variety of Ag industries right in our state which allows for students to get a really diverse view of so many different parts of agriculture. From livestock management to crops to farm consulting to Ag businesses, Minnesota provides all of that for students to experience and learn about.
What Farm Camp experience did you host?
I had the opportunity to host the U of M Crookston Barn Tour. Students from Bemidji High School in Candace Fisher's science and ag classes joined us virtually for the tour. We had current U of M students touring through the livestock barns and giving their perspective on the ag courses they were taking. The high school students asked great questions about the animals, barns and what it's like going to college.
What was your favorite part of being a Farm Camp AgHost?
I love introducing kids to the [Ag] industry. I wish more people were not intimidated to go into an Ag program, even when they are not from an Ag background. I think it is one of those industries that can look intimidating because there are many people that come from family farms or have Ag backgrounds and keep that lifestyle going. In an Ag program, you will learn about agriculture and you can get into a new industry through classes and hands on experience. I grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis, not on a farm, and loved the classes that taught me about agriculture. It was a big learning curve but I love the industry.
Why do you think hosting a Farm Camp event is important?
I don’t think there is such thing as over educating people on different jobs, industries and lifestyles. You never know when you will meet someone, who with one conversation, will set up the trajectory of their life because you shared your story.
Why should others think about becoming an AgHost?
I think one of the best ways that we can continue to grow and improve any industry is to reach out to young people and spark the interest early so that we can have future leaders ready with new ideas!
Do you want to become an AgHost and invite students to learn more about your agricultural industry or farm? Click here to connect with our Program Director to find a school interested in your Farm Camp tour!
READ MORE...
“Come on up kids!” 6th graders virtually jump into the combine for harvest
Farmer Bruce Tiffany gives students a behind-the-scenes tour of harvest on October 7, 2021. What happens when 200 students…
2024 Renville, Redwood and Brown Counties 5th Grade Ag Day
For many years, the Redwood Area Chamber Ag Committee has brought students together to learn about agriculture at their annual 5th Grade Ag Day. In recent years, Farm Camp Minnesota […]
3 Ways to Engage Students at Farm Camp
What is Farm Camp? Farm Camp is a three-day immersive agriculture experience customized for classrooms Grades 5-12. A Farm Camp experience comprises three parts. How are students engaged at Farm […]
5 Lessons learned from our Pilot Programs
Before fully launching Farm Camps to all educators, we started with 4 pilot programs. We learned a few lessons that helped us to now best serve our educators, students and […]
Ag Career Resource Links
Minnesota Department of Education has Career and College Success recommendations to schools Kindergarten through 12th grade. One resource that is available is the Career and College Success website and resources. […]
Creating an Interactive Ag Experience in 3 Easy Steps with Farm Camp Minnesota
Learn the 3 easy steps it takes to create a Farm Camp experience!
Farm Camp Minnesota bridges classroom learning to an on-farm experience allowing your students to engage first-hand with a farm or agricultural business. And what’s even better is the meaningful connection they will build to what they are learning in the classroom and the outside world.
Curiosity Sprouts During Science Ag Tour with Bayer Production
Why is it so important to show students the connection between what they are learning in the classroom and the real world? This Harvard article shares that students are more […]
East Grand Forks Ag Careers Day
Agriculture is all around us! It is Farm Camp Minnesota‘s mission to increase agricultural literacy through experiences where students can interact first-hand with agriculture in Minnesota fields, industries and businesses […]
East Grand Forks Ag Day 2.0
Farm Camp provides students with unique opportunities through a three part immersive agriculture experience customized experience. Students from East Grand Forks had the chance to participate in their second year […]
Farm Camp Experience to Autumnwood Farm
Farm Camp Minnesota connects 5-12 grade students to an on farm experience in a three part customized learning opportunity. The three parts include in class learning, using standards-based curriculum, hands-on […]