Article

Hello everyone, my name is Chareasa Jeffries. I just finished my first year at the Agricultural Technical Institute of The Ohio State University where I am currently majoring in agricultural communications with a minor in environmental sciences.

I am originally from Shelby County where I attended and graduated from Hardin-Houston Local Schools. I became a member of the Houston Livestock 4-H group when I was about eight or nine years old and I took all kinds of projects to the fair. My favorite projects were Vet Science, Ohio Birds and Creative Writing. My last six years of 4-H, I raised and showed different types of swine. My last three years I was a Shelby County Junior Fair Board member where I assisted in managing the Dog Show, Goat Show, Woodworking and Elections. Last year, I was a member of the Junior Fair Board Executive Committee and was selected as the 2018 Shelby County Fair Queen.

Throughout high school I participated in the Houston-UVCC FFA Chapter for all four years, where I was the student advisor for three years. My favorite events were Cardboard City, Chips and Tips and Working in the Greenhouse. Through this program I was able to earn my Greenhand, Chapter and State degrees. I am very excited to announce that I will be receiving my American Degree this fall at The National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

During the fall semester I participated in CFFA, became a member of the Agricultural Communicators, Educators and Leaders of Tomorrow, and even became the co-secretary of the ATI Bee Club. I was selected as one of the nine students from ATI to attend the National Agriculture Future of America Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. There I was able to learn about different kinds of professional skills and meet other professionals in the industry. Since I was a freshman, they taught us how to speak to people professionally, table manners and how to be confident in ourselves.

This past semester I sought the advice of my advisors, Rachel Ramsier and Dr. Joy Rumble, and asked them what I could do to work on my design skills. They both suggested that I sign up for The Ohio State ACEL banquet to present some of my photography. It was an amazing experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Now that the school year is over I am back home working toward my future and I am happy to be back. I am excited for my future in agriculture and all the new opportunities it brings. It is a great privilege to advocate for an amazing industry. I hope to educate and inform others of the importance and value of the agricultural industry.