Agriculture is Life Podcast

This week's guest is Ms. Briana Holness. Briana was raised in Enfield, North Carolina. She graduated from Southeast Halifax High School which is where her foundation for agriculture began. Briana’s high school agriculture teacher has instilled so much knowledge in her about the agriculture industry. She completed her undergraduate studies at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina where she received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education (Professional Service) in 2017. She has always had a passion for educating youth in the field of agriculture. Following graduation, she decided to pursue her goal of higher education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics, and Agriscience Education. While attending NC A&T SU, she was appointed the National MANRRS Region II Graduate Vice-President. This position allowed her to see, firsthand, diversity and inclusion in the field of agriculture.  Briana has published her Master thesis entitled “An Assessment of the Impact of MANRRS Involvement Upon the Leadership Development Competence of Chapter, Regional, and National Officers”. She soon after graduated with her master’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University in Agricultural Education (Secondary Education) in May 2019. In November 2018, Briana started working at the high school she graduated from in the area of agriculture which fueled her passion. She enjoys educating the youth of the community she grew up in about agriculture. Students are needed to be exposed to agriculture every day, so they know how to address the crucial needs of the economy. Briana has a son named Braylen who is motivating her day by day to be a great mom, leader and educator. It is a pleasure to educate students in a rural area about leadership, career and personal enhancement within the field of agriculture education.

In this episode, you will learn about: 

- Briana's passion for educating students in an rural area about agriculture education 

- How to balance being a full-time educator and mother 

- The important role that MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) plays in the lives of students seeking careers in agriculture and related sciences

Learn more about MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) : 

Website: https://www.manrrs.org

Research Apprenticeship Program at NC A&T SU:

https://www.ncat.edu/caes/agricultural-research/rap-program.php

*Please note that this program has been canceled this year due to COVID-19*

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Instagram: @agricultureislife_

Facebook: Agriculture is Life, LLC

Shop Agriculture is Life T-Shirts: https://bit.ly/394Rpoh

*This podcast was recorded earlier this year prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

This week's guest is Mrs. Rhondine Petrof, the founder and CEO of Toucan Education Programs of Belize (TEP). Mrs. Rhondine Petrof founded TEP in 2010 after working more than six years in higher education and education abroad programming. Toucan Education Programs (TEP) is a Belizean mission driven study abroad organization that is most passionate about making impactful contributions to the growth and development of students, educators, and the communities where they work.

In this episode, you will learn about:

- Mrs. Rhondine's passion for education abroad and how TEP has become a premier provider for education abroad programs in Belize

- The different types of programs that TEP offers students who are interested in studying abroad 

- How to identify and implement operating systems into a business and/or organization 

Toucan Education Programs are now accepting applications for spring and summer 2021 Programs, apply here https://bit.ly/3dmPPjg

Follow TEP on Social Media:

FB: Study Abroad in Belize

IG: tepstudyabroad_belize

Website: https://www.studyinbelize.com

Check out the Toucan Education Programs Podcast Series: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-toucan-abroad-podcast/id1476732658

Make sure to follow us on social media:

 Instagram: @agricultureislife_ 

Facebook: Agriculture is Life, LLC 

Shop Agriculture is Life T-Shirts: https://bit.ly/394Rpoh

Amber Tamm is a farmer, horticulturalist and florist based out of New York City. Tamm uses her social media presence as a way to create community and connect individuals to Mother Earth. In addition, she is committed to educating low income and communities of color about the different career pathways associated with working with land. She is 100% authentic and transparent about her lived experiences and how she continues to feel from her past traumas.

In this episode, you will learn:

- How Amber's past traumas and life experiences lead her to a career in farming 

- The importance of including farmers in conversations about wellness, nutrition, sustainability, climate change, etc.

- The challenges she faces as a young black women in the agricultural industry 

Connect with Amber on Social Media:

IG: AmberTamm

Website: ambertamm.com 

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Instagram: @agricultureislife_

Facebook: Agriculture is Life, LLC

Shop Agriculture is Life T-Shirts: https://bit.ly/394Rpoh

Jordan Jones is an Extension Agent in 4-H youth development with the Virginia Cooperative Extension. She received both her bachelors and masters degrees from the illustrious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in environmental studies and agriculture education respectively. She is originally from the Washington D.C. Area. Jordan has a passion for teaching and creating lasting experiences for youth. In her free time, she enjoys reading, catching up on her favorite shows, baking, and trying her best not to kill her house plants.

In this episode you will learn about:

• how Jordan was exposed to agriculture when attending college at North Carolina A&T State University
  

• Jordan’s passion for 4-H and youth development

• how to overcome post-graduate depression and other mental health illnesses and much more…

Connect with Jordan on Social Media:

Instagram: beauty_andthebrain

MANRRS ( Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences)

Website: https://www.manrrs.org

National 4-H 

Website: https://4-h.org

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Instagram: @agricultureislife_

Facebook: Agriculture is Life, LLC

Shop Agriculture is Life T-Shirts: https://bit.ly/394Rpoh

Vanessa is a scholar-activist passionate for advocating for minorities, immigrants, and refugees in food, agriculture, the environment, and natural resources. She is a graduate student at Michigan State University Department of Community Sustainability focusing on Community Agriculture and Food Systems, to support civically-focused efforts that revitalize our food systems. She serves in The Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society board and is a member of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences and Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanic and Native American in the Sciences where she seeks to advance people of color in academia and in food, agriculture, the environment, and natural resources fields. She has worked with Food Solutions New England, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vanessa is an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, and she brings her identities and experiences to shape her advocacy and research. Vanessa is a 2020 Michigan Junior Food System Leader of  the Year and 2019 James Beard Foundation Scholar.  

 In this episode you will learn: 

- How agriculture allows Vanessa to connect with her heritage, family and community. 

- The importance of creating opportunities for people of color (poc) to own land and become farm operators instead of just being farm workers. 

- The challenges new immigrants face when migrating to the United States.  

Connect with Vanessa on Social Media 

 Website: www.vanessagarciapolanco.com 

Twitter: @vgpvisions Instagram: @vgpvisions  

If you have questions or would like to discuss podcast sponsorship, email us at Contact.agricultureislife@gmail.com

Make sure to follow us on social media: 

Instagram: @agricultureislife_ 

Facebook: Agriculture is Life, LLC 

Shop Agriculture is Life T-Shirts: https://bit.ly/394Rpoh

The agriculture is life podcast is a platform where Arneisha Smallwood, the Founder and CEO of Agriculture is Life, LLC has conversations with women of color in agriculture and related fields to discuss their experiences in ag and to create a safe space where they can be celebrated and voices can be heard.

Interested in becoming a Veterinarian? But don't know where to start... Don't worry, this interview with Ms. Nakia Coit will get you on track.

Nakia Coit is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and First-Year Veterinarian Student at Tuskegee University. Nakia holds a bachelor's of science degree in General Agriculture - Animal Science with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Ms. Coit is the first UMES student to be accepted into a veterinarian medicine program in the past 5 years. Since graduating , she has moved 700 miles away from home to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian. 

In this episode, you will learn about:

• Nakia's love for animals and how she knew that she wanted to be a veterinarian since the age of 8

• Key steps to take when applying for veterinarian medicine programs

• Tips on how to survive your first semester in Vet School

If you have questions or would like to discuss podcast sponsorship, email us at Contact.agricultureislife@gmail.com

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Instagram: @agricultureislife_

Facebook: Agriculture is Life, LLC 

Shop Agriculture is Life T-Shirts:

https://bit.ly/394Rpoh

Note: Audio becomes clearer at 6.00

You are now listening to Season 1 of the Agriculture is Life Podcast! Check out this trailer to get a idea of what this podcast will be about and follow us on Instagram @agricultureislife_ for updates!