And so it begins

I grew up in Harvest, Alabama with a younger brother and parents who gave (and still give) us the world. We both played sports and considering we built a baseball field in our backyard, it was definitely more than a hobby, we loved it (and still do!). I studied pre-med in high school and my first year of college at UAB. I watched surgeries, worked for doctors and interned at the hospital, but realized that wasn't what I wanted to do. I love animals, and Auburn had a pre-vet program which wouldn't steer too far from the science classes I had already started taking, so after a year at UAB, I transferred to the loveliest village on the plains. Which wasn't particularly easy for my parents seeing as I grew up an Alabama fan (my mom graduated from there and my brother is currently getting his masters from there). I didn't have any agriculture background except for admiring horses while driving down the road or eating a hamburger from Red Robin, but I decided the College of Agriculture Animal Science Department was where I wanted to study, baby cows were cute, right?! Let's just say I had a lot to learn, and bless the heart's of the people who were about to teach me.

I got a degree in Animal Science Production Management and Agriculture Business at Auburn. The College of Agriculture provided education and hands on learning that didn't compare to other curriculum's. Let's be honest, who gives their students a mare and let's them follow her through pregnancy, birth and then train the foal the next semester? Or take a meat science class and process a hog AND a cow, taking it from the pasture to the freezer, literally #farmtofork. I studied and worked under some of the best professors out there. The College of Ag will always have a special place in my heart and my life, and I will be forever thankful to my mentors, advisers and friends for teaching me about agriculture and sharing their love for the industry.

Immediately following my college graduation in 2012, I went to work for Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. as a manager trainee. I moved all over Alabama for two years, starting in Andalusia, then to Pell City, followed by Oneonta and finally back to Pell City. At each store I learned more about the company and the agriculture industry in general. Not all days were easy, but nothing compared to the feeling that you were able to provide farmers with seed and fertilizer to grow their crops, the feed and medicine to keep their animal herd healthy whether it be sheep, hogs, poultry or cattle and the information on new products that would make their operation more effective. Being a part of the industry that works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to feed, clothe and provide us with the essentials we need to survive will always be a passion of mine.

After 2 years of working as a trainee and an assistant manager for a quality co-op store, I got a call for an opportunity for another job, something completely different, but with the same company-Social Media Specialist. So here I am, with a grateful heart for everything that has happened to this point in my life, and for everything that is yet to come.

xoxo
Samantha