Meet Student Member: Elisabeth Watkins!
By Ashlyn Rochester, ACN Communications Specialist
As part of the new and incoming student members, sponsored by Filament, we’re highlighting the new members. Elisabeth Watkins is a student at the University of Nevada, where she’s in the process of receiving her Master of Business Administration with a minor in Agriculture Leadership, Education, and Communications while being a Teacher’s Assistant in Agriculture Communication. To get to know her better and why her student membership in ACN is important to her, we asked her a few questions.
1. Why are you studying agriculture?
I grew up on a farm and ranch in California’s Central Valley. As a sixth-generation cattle rancher, I know the hardships agriculture faces every day. I also know that farmers and ranchers are often too busy to tell their stories. I chose to study agriculture to continue my family’s legacy in agriculture. The industry is home to some of the nicest people. You can count on finding welcoming arms when you are involved in agriculture.
2. What position, goal, or outcome do you hope to accomplish with your agriculture degree?
I have already received my undergraduate degree which emphasized agriculture science, business, and journalism. Now that I am working on my M.B.A. at the University of Nevada, Reno I am working on refining my storytelling skills while learning how to make my passion profitable long-term. I hope to connect consumers to producers, scientists, and all those involved in telling the story of how food is produced. I plan to continue to help with my family’s nearly 3,000-acre operation in Linden, California after earning my M.B.A.
3. What do you hope to gain from your student membership to ACN? If it’s something specific, like a mentor or feedback, please be specific and include an email address for members to reach you at.
Growing up in California has given me a much different outlook on agriculture and communication compared to most students from other states. While unique, I lack experience with large commodity boards and less diversified clients. I have little to no experience working with grain crops and single or dual-commodity operations. I am interested in learning how to communicate the stories of these individuals and organizations through traditional methods. If you would be interested in sharing your knowledge with me I would love to connect. My email is [email protected].
4. As part of the application process, we ask applicants to write a few short paragraphs on the value of joining ACN, and why this would help the applicant in their career.
My goal is to grow my career as an agriculture communicator upon my graduation from the University of Nevada, Reno MBA program. With a diverse background in California agriculture, I understand the various aspects of agriculture and the challenges that come with it. I see the value that comes with this membership to strengthen my skills and keep me up to date with trends.
Students can apply or be nominated for membership. Please share this with interested students and/or nominate a student today. Thank you, Filament, for investing in the future of Ag Communicators!
The application is available at this link.